What you need to register a vehicle in North Dakota
Vehicle registration in North Dakota is handled by your county motor vehicle office, not a state office. You will need to bring a signed title (or proof of ownership if the title is held by a lender), proof of North Dakota residency, and a completed Form 4 (process for Certificate of Title and Registration). You will also need to pay the registration fee, which varies based on the vehicle's age and weight.
If you are registering a vehicle you just bought, the seller must sign the title over to you before you go to the motor vehicle office. If you financed the vehicle, the lender's name will appear on the title as a lienholder — bring the title as-is; you do not need permission from the lender to register it in your name.
Registration is valid for one or two years, depending on which term you choose when you register. Your registration renewal notice will arrive by mail before your current registration expires, and you can renew by mail, online, or in person at your county office.
Key Takeaways
- Registration happens at your county motor vehicle office, and you will need the signed title, proof of residency, and a completed Form 4.
- The registration fee depends on your vehicle's age and weight, so the cost varies from vehicle to vehicle.
- You can register for one year or two years; two-year registration costs more upfront but means fewer trips to renew.
- You can renew your registration by mail or online once your initial registration is complete, so you do not have to return to the office every time.
Finding your county motor vehicle office
North Dakota has a motor vehicle office in each county. To find the office serving your county, visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation website and search for your county name, or call your county auditor's office — they can direct you to the motor vehicle office or tell you the office hours.
Some counties have multiple offices or satellite locations, so if one location is far from you, ask whether another office in your county can handle your registration. Office hours vary by location, and some offices close for lunch, so call ahead before you go.
Documents to bring to the motor vehicle office
Bring the vehicle title signed by the seller (or the previous owner). If the title is held by a lender, bring it with the lender's name still on it — do not try to remove the lender's name yourself. If you do not have the title yet, ask the seller or lender when it will arrive; you cannot register without it.
Bring proof that you live in North Dakota. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address will work. Your driver's license counts as proof of residency if it shows your current North Dakota address.
Bring a completed Form 4 (process for Certificate of Title and Registration). You can read this form from the North Dakota Department of Transportation website or pick one up at the motor vehicle office. The form asks for your name, address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the odometer reading. You do not need to fill it out before you arrive — the office staff can help you complete it.
Bring payment for the registration fee. North Dakota accepts cash, check, and card at most offices, but call ahead to confirm what your specific office takes. If you are unsure of the fee amount, the motor vehicle office can tell you the cost before you pay.
How registration fees are calculated
North Dakota registration fees are based on two things: the age of the vehicle and its weight. Newer vehicles cost more to register than older ones. Heavier vehicles cost more than lighter ones. The fee schedule changes each year, so the exact amount you pay depends on when you register.
You can find the current fee schedule on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website, or call your county motor vehicle office and give them your vehicle's year and weight — they will tell you the exact fee. The weight is listed on your vehicle's door jamb or in the owner's manual.
If you register for two years instead of one year, you pay the one-year fee twice, plus a small additional fee for the two-year term. Two-year registration costs more upfront but means you renew less often.
What happens after you register
After you pay the fee and submit your documents, the motor vehicle office will issue you a registration certificate and license plates (or a registration sticker if you are keeping plates from a previous vehicle). Take the registration certificate with you — you are required to carry it in the vehicle at all times.
The registration certificate shows your name, the vehicle's VIN, the plate number, and the expiration date. Keep it in a safe place in your vehicle. If you lose it, you can get a replacement from the motor vehicle office for a small fee.
Your registration will expire on the date shown on the certificate. About 30 days before expiration, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail. You can renew online through the North Dakota Department of Transportation website, by mail, or in person at the motor vehicle office.
Renewing your registration by mail or online
Once your initial registration is complete, you do not have to return to the office to renew. The renewal notice you receive in the mail includes instructions for renewing online or by mail. Online renewal is faster — you can renew in a few minutes from home and print your new registration sticker.
To renew online, visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation website, enter your vehicle information and registration number, and pay the renewal fee by card. Your new registration sticker will be mailed to you within a few days.
To renew by mail, fill out the renewal notice, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the notice. Processing takes about two weeks, so mail your renewal at least three weeks before your registration expires.
Special situations: Transfers, out-of-state moves, and salvage titles
If you move to North Dakota from another state, you have 30 days to register your vehicle with a North Dakota title. Bring your out-of-state title, proof of North Dakota residency, and Form 4 to your county motor vehicle office. The office will issue you a new North Dakota title and registration.
If you are transferring a vehicle to someone else, sign the back of the title and give it to the new owner. The new owner must then take the signed title to their county motor vehicle office to register it in their name. You do not need to notify the motor vehicle office that you no longer own the vehicle — the new owner's registration transfers ownership automatically.
If your vehicle has a salvage title (meaning it was declared a total loss by an insurance company), you can still register it in North Dakota, but the registration process is the same. The salvage title will be noted on your registration certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register a vehicle if I do not have a North Dakota driver's license?
Yes. You need proof of North Dakota residency, but it does not have to be a driver's license. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address will work. Your driver's license from another state is acceptable as long as you also bring a separate proof of your North Dakota address.
What if the seller did not sign the title before I took the vehicle?
You cannot register the vehicle until the title is signed by the seller. Contact the seller and ask them to sign the title and mail it to you, or arrange to meet and have them sign it in person. Do not drive the vehicle on public roads without registration.
How long does registration take at the motor vehicle office?
Most registrations are completed in 15 to 30 minutes, but wait times vary by office and time of day. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you plan when to visit. Some offices are less busy early in the morning or mid-week.
Can I register a vehicle online instead of going to the office?
Initial registration must be done in person at your county motor vehicle office. However, once your vehicle is registered, you can renew online through the North Dakota Department of Transportation website for future years.
What if my vehicle's weight is not listed anywhere?
Call your county motor vehicle office with your vehicle's year, make, and model, and they can look up the weight for you. You can also contact the vehicle manufacturer or check the owner's manual. The weight is sometimes listed on the door jamb as well.