Documents and information Texas requires for car registration

Texas requires you to bring or submit five core items to register a vehicle: proof of ownership (the title or a bill of sale), proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of insurance, and the completed process form. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) does not accept every form of each category — the document must match specific requirements — so knowing which versions work before you go to the county tax assessor-collector's office saves a trip.

The exact documents depend on whether you are registering a new vehicle, transferring a title from another state, or renewing an existing registration. A new car comes with a manufacturer's certificate of origin; a used car you bought privately requires a bill of sale signed by both you and the seller; a car you inherited needs the title plus a death certificate and probate paperwork if the estate went through court. If you are moving to Texas from another state, you must surrender your out-of-state title — Texas will not register a vehicle that is titled elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring proof of ownership (title or bill of sale), a government-issued ID, proof you live in Texas, proof of insurance, and the completed process form to the county tax assessor-collector's office.
  • Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within 90 days of your visit, or a government document showing your Texas address.
  • Your insurance must be active on the day you register — Texas will not issue plates without proof of current coverage — and the policy must cover the vehicle you are registering.
  • Registration fees vary by vehicle weight and type; a standard passenger car costs less than a truck or SUV, and the tax assessor-collector's office can quote your exact fee before you pay.
  • If you buy a car from a dealer, the dealer often handles the paperwork and submits it on your behalf, but you are responsible for providing the documents and paying the fee.

Proof of ownership: title, bill of sale, or manufacturer's certificate

The document that proves you own the vehicle depends on how you got it. If you bought the car from a dealer, you receive a manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) or a title already issued by the previous state. If you bought it from a private seller, you need a bill of sale signed by both of you — Texas does not require a specific form, but the document must show the seller's name and signature, your name, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date. The bill of sale does not transfer ownership by itself; it is evidence of the sale that you present when you explore for a Texas title.

If the vehicle title is already issued (from a previous owner or another state), you must have the seller sign the back of the title in the space marked for the seller's signature. If that signature line is missing or already filled in by someone else, the title may not be accepted, and you will need to contact the previous state's motor vehicle agency to get a corrected title before Texas will process your registration. If you inherited the vehicle, bring the title plus the death certificate and any probate court order; if there was no probate, bring an affidavit of heirship signed by a notary public.

Proof of identity and Texas residency

You must show a government-issued photo ID — a Texas driver's license, Texas ID card, passport, or military ID all work. The ID does not have to be current, but it must be recognizable as you and show your name. If your name has changed since the title was issued (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, the name on the title and the name on your ID must match.

Proof of residency must show your current Texas address and be dated within 90 days of the day you register. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or homeowners insurance policy all work. If you do not have a recent document in your name, you can bring a government document issued by a Texas agency that shows your address — a voter registration card, vehicle registration from another vehicle you own, or a professional license. If you are homeless or do not have a fixed address, contact your county tax assessor-collector's office to ask what alternative documentation they accept.

Proof of insurance and active coverage

Texas law requires every registered vehicle to have active liability insurance at the time of registration. You must bring proof of insurance — a declarations page from your insurance company, a binder, or a digital proof from your insurer's app — that shows the policy is in force on the day you register. The insurance must cover the specific vehicle you are registering, identified by its VIN, and must meet Texas's minimum liability limits: $30,000 for injury to one person, $60,000 for injury to multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage.

If you do not yet have insurance, you cannot register the vehicle. You must buy a policy first, then bring proof to the tax assessor-collector. Some insurers issue proof of insurance when ready online or by email; others mail it. If you are buying a car from a dealer, ask the dealer's finance office whether they can help you get a temporary proof of insurance while you shop for a permanent policy. Do not register the vehicle without insurance in place — Texas will not issue plates, and driving without registration is a violation.

The process form and where to submit it

The process form is the process for Texas Title and Registration, also called Form 130-U. You can fill it out at home before you go to the tax assessor-collector's office, or you can fill it out there. The form asks for your name, address, driver's license number, the vehicle's VIN, the odometer reading, and information about the previous owner. If you make a mistake on the form, the tax assessor-collector will ask you to correct it before they process your registration.

You submit the form and all documents to the county tax assessor-collector's office in the county where you live. You do not go to the TxDMV directly — the tax assessor-collector is the local office that handles registration for your county. You can find the office's address and hours on the TxDMV website by entering your county name. Some counties allow you to mail in your documents, but most require you to appear in person. Call ahead to ask whether your county accepts mail-in registration and what the timeline is if you do.

Registration fees and what affects the cost

Texas registration fees are based on the vehicle's weight and type. A standard passenger car typically costs between $50 and $60 for a one-year registration, but a truck or SUV may cost more because they are heavier. Specialty vehicles — motorcycles, trailers, commercial vehicles — have different fee schedules. The tax assessor-collector's office can tell you the exact fee for your vehicle before you pay; you can also call them or check the TxDMV website for a fee calculator.

In addition to the registration fee, you may owe a title fee (usually $28 to $33 for a new title) and a county-specific fee that varies by location. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Texas, you will pay both the title fee and the registration fee. If you are renewing a registration for a vehicle you already own, you pay only the registration fee. Some counties charge an additional local option tax; ask the tax assessor-collector what the total will be for your vehicle and county.

Special situations: transfers, inherited vehicles, and out-of-state titles

If you are transferring a title from another state, you must surrender the out-of-state title to the Texas tax assessor-collector. Bring the out-of-state title, your proof of ownership of that title (usually the title itself), proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of insurance, and the process form. Texas will issue you a new Texas title and registration. The process is the same as registering a new vehicle, but you will also pay a title transfer fee.

If you inherited a vehicle, the process depends on whether the estate went through probate court. If it did, bring the title, the death certificate, and the probate court order that names you as the heir. If there was no probate, bring the title and an affidavit of heirship — a document you can get from a notary public that states you are the legal heir. Some counties have their own affidavit form; call the tax assessor-collector to ask. You will also need proof of identity, residency, and insurance, just as you would for any other registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register a car online in Texas?

Texas does not offer full online registration for new titles or transfers. You must visit the county tax assessor-collector's office in person to submit your documents and pay the fee. Some counties allow you to renew an existing registration online if you have not changed the vehicle or moved, but a new registration or title transfer requires an in-person visit.

What if the seller's signature is missing from the title?

If the title does not have the seller's signature in the transfer section, the tax assessor-collector will not accept it. You must contact the previous owner and ask them to sign the title, or contact the state where the title was issued and request a corrected title with the signature line blank. Do not register the vehicle until the title is corrected.

Do I need a bill of sale if I have the signed title?

No. A signed title is sufficient proof of ownership. A bill of sale is only necessary if the title is not available or if you are buying from a private seller who does not have a title to give you. If you have both, bring both — the tax assessor-collector will accept them.

What happens if my insurance lapses between the day I buy the car and the day I register it?

You cannot register the vehicle without active insurance on the day of registration. If your insurance lapses, you must buy a new policy or renew the existing one before you go to the tax assessor-collector. Bring proof that the policy is in force on the day you register.

Can someone else register my car for me?

Yes, if you give them a power of attorney or a signed letter authorizing them to act on your behalf. The person registering the car must bring the authorization letter, all the documents listed above, and their own ID. Some tax assessor-collector offices have specific requirements for the authorization letter; call ahead to ask what form they need.