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If I just bought a car, how long do I have to file for my car registration?
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It all depends on your state of residence. Each motor vehicle office imposes its own timeline for vehicle registration (see grid below).
Some states impose late car registration fees. The amount again depends on state. Oregon's late fees, for example, range from $25 to $50. So it's in your best interest to know your state's registration timeline before purchasing a vehicle. This way you'll know beforehand if you're on the clock, as they say, to file registration forms. If your time is tight, keep in mind that most states require registering in person at a DMV office or sub-station.
Of course, if you purchased this car from a dealership you won't have to worry. Dealerships generally, by rule, will file car registration papers for you. To play it safe, however, it's always wise to confirm with the dealership a few days after purchase that it did indeed submit your registration papers.
Some states impose late car registration fees. The amount again depends on state. Oregon's late fees, for example, range from $25 to $50. So it's in your best interest to know your state's registration timeline before purchasing a vehicle. This way you'll know beforehand if you're on the clock, as they say, to file registration forms. If your time is tight, keep in mind that most states require registering in person at a DMV office or sub-station.
Of course, if you purchased this car from a dealership you won't have to worry. Dealerships generally, by rule, will file car registration papers for you. To play it safe, however, it's always wise to confirm with the dealership a few days after purchase that it did indeed submit your registration papers.
| Must Register Within a Specified Number of Days | No Registration Timeframe | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | x | 20 days | |
| Alaska | x | 30 days | |
| Arizona | x | 15 days | |
| Arkansas | x | 30 days | |
| California | x | 10 days | |
| Colorado | x | 60 days | |
| Connecticut | x | 60 days | |
| Delaware | x | 30 days or 60 days for new residents | |
| Florida | x | 30 days | |
| Georgia | x | 30 days | |
| Hawaii | x | 30 days | |
| Idaho | x | 30 days | |
| Illinois | x | 20 days | |
| Indiana | x | 31 days | |
| Iowa | x | 30 days | |
| Kansas | x | 30 days | |
| Kentucky | x | 15 days or 10 days for new residents | |
| Louisiana | x | 40 days | |
| Maine | x | 30 days | |
| Maryland | x | If you're a new resident you have 60 days | |
| Massachusetts | x | 10 days | |
| Michigan | x | 15 days | |
| Minnesota | x | 10 days or 60 days for new residents | |
| Mississippi | x | 7 days or 30 days for new residents | |
| Missouri | x | 30 days | |
| Montana | x | 60 days | |
| Nebraska | x | 30 days | |
| Nevada | x | 30 days | |
| New Hampshire | x | ||
| New Jersey | x | 10 days | |
| New Mexico | x | 30 days | |
| New York | x | 30 days | |
| North Carolina | x | 30 days | |
| North Dakota | x | 5 days | |
| Ohio | x | 30 days | |
| Oklahoma | x | 30 days | |
| Oregon | x | 30 days | |
| Pennsylvania | x | 20 days | |
| Rhode Island | x | 30 days | |
| South Carolina | x | 45 days | |
| South Dakota | x | 30 days or 90 days for new residents | |
| Tennessee | x | 30 days | |
| Texas | x | 20 days | |
| Utah | x | 60 days | |
| Vermont | x | 30 days | |
| Virginia | x | New residents must register within 30 days | |
| Washington | x | 15 days or 30 days for new residents | |
| West Virginia | x | 60 days | |
| Wisconsin | 2 days | ||
| Wyoming | 30 days | ||
| Washington DC | x | New residents must register within 30 days |
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