How Minnesota vehicle registration renewal works

Minnesota sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 30 days before your registration expires. The notice includes your renewal fee, which depends on your vehicle's weight and type. You can renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail using the notice itself, or in person at your local Deputy Registrar office.

Online renewal is the fastest option — you pay with a credit or debit card and receive confirmation when ready. By mail, you send the notice with a check or money order to the address printed on it. In person, you bring the notice and payment to any Deputy Registrar location, which are found in most county courthouses and some other government buildings.

Your registration is valid for one or two years depending on your vehicle type. Passenger cars are typically two years; commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and some other classes may be one year. The expiration date is printed on your current registration card and on the renewal notice.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota mails renewal notices about 30 days before expiration, and you can renew online, by mail, or at a Deputy Registrar office.
  • Online renewal through the Secretary of State website is fastest and gives you when ready confirmation of your new registration.
  • Your renewal fee is based on your vehicle's weight and type, and that amount appears on your renewal notice.
  • You must renew before the expiration date on your current registration card to avoid driving with an expired registration.

Renewing online through the Secretary of State

Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and select the vehicle registration renewal option. You will need your current registration card, driver's license or ID, and the renewal notice that arrived in the mail. Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the information from your notice.

Review the renewal fee shown on screen — this matches the amount on your paper notice. Pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. After payment processes, you will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email confirmation. Your new registration card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If you did not receive a renewal notice or cannot find it, you can still renew online by entering your vehicle information. The system will look up your registration record and calculate your fee. This is useful if your notice was lost or if you moved and did not receive it at your old address.

Renewing by mail

Use the renewal notice you received from Minnesota. Write a check or money order for the exact amount shown on the notice. Do not send cash. Sign the back of the notice where indicated and include your check or money order inside the envelope provided.

Mail the envelope to the address printed on the notice. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date Minnesota receives it, so mail your renewal at least 3 weeks before your registration expires. Your new registration card will arrive by mail after processing is complete.

If you moved since your last registration, update your address before mailing. You can do this online through the Secretary of State website or by calling the office directly. Sending your renewal to an outdated address will delay your new card.

Renewing in person at a Deputy Registrar office

Bring your renewal notice, current registration card, and a valid driver's license or ID to any Deputy Registrar office. Most counties have multiple locations — check the Secretary of State website for the office nearest you and its hours. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require an appointment, so call ahead if you are unsure.

Pay the renewal fee with cash, check, debit card, or credit card — accepted payment methods vary by location. The Deputy Registrar will process your renewal on the spot and issue you a temporary registration valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed. Your new registration card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

In-person renewal is useful if you need to make changes to your registration at the same time, such as updating your address, adding or removing a co-owner, or changing your vehicle information. The Deputy Registrar can handle these changes during the same visit.

What happens if your registration expires before you renew

Driving with an expired registration is illegal in Minnesota. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can receive a citation. The fine for an expired registration is typically $50 to $100, though the exact amount depends on how long it has been expired.

If your registration expired recently, you can still renew it using any of the three methods above. Renew as soon as possible to avoid further citations. If you are renewing after expiration, you pay only the standard renewal fee — there is no additional penalty fee added by the Secretary of State, though local law enforcement fines are separate.

If you let your registration lapse for more than a year, you may need to re-register your vehicle instead of straightforward renewing. Contact a Deputy Registrar office or the Secretary of State to find out whether your vehicle can be renewed or must be re-registered.

Changing your address or vehicle information during renewal

If you moved, changed your name, or need to update other information on your registration, you can make these changes during renewal. Online, you will see fields to update your address and other details before you pay. By mail, call the Secretary of State office to request a form or instructions for updating your information before sending in your renewal notice.

In person at a Deputy Registrar office, tell the staff member what information needs to change. They can update your address, name, or other details and process your renewal at the same time. Bring documentation of the change if you have it — for example, a new driver's license showing your updated address or name.

If you moved out of state or no longer own the vehicle, contact the Secretary of State before attempting to renew. Your registration may need to be cancelled instead of renewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if it expired more than a year ago?

Contact the Secretary of State or a Deputy Registrar office to find out. Registrations that have been expired for a long time may require re-registration instead of renewal. The office can tell you which process applies to your vehicle and what documents you will need.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online by entering your vehicle information, or call the Secretary of State to request a new notice. You can also renew in person at any Deputy Registrar office without the notice — bring your current registration card and driver's license instead.

How long does it take to receive my new registration card after I renew?

By mail or online, your new card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. In person at a Deputy Registrar office, you receive a temporary registration valid for 30 days, and your permanent card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

What if I renew online but do not receive my new registration card?

Wait 10 business days from your renewal date. If the card has not arrived, contact the Secretary of State with your confirmation number. They can check the status of your card and reissue it if needed.

Do I need to renew my registration if I sold my vehicle?

No. Contact the Secretary of State or a Deputy Registrar to cancel your registration instead. You will need to provide the buyer's information and sign a form transferring the registration to the new owner.