Kansas law requires that a motor vehicle must be titled in the state and county where the vehicle is garaged. Motor vehicles cannot be legally operated without a title.
New Vehicles
To title a motor vehicle you must visit either the Mission or Olathe motor vehicle office. You cannot register, renew or title your vehicle at the Treasurer’s office located in the County Administration Building in Olathe.
To title a new motor vehicle you need the following information:
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)
- Valid Proof of Insurance from a Kansas agent
- Sales Tax Receipt OR Bill of Sale to pay at DMV when titling
Used Vehicles
To title a used motor vehicle you need the following information:
- Title
- Valid Proof of Insurance from a Kansas agent
- Sales Tax Receipt OR Bill of Sale to pay at DMV when titling
- Lien Release from previous owner’s lien holder if not released on title
- Titles issued out-of-state (not in Kansas) must have MVE1 VIN (vehicle identification number) verification.
Commercial Vehicles
To title a used motor vehicle you need the following information:
- Title
- Valid Proof of Insurance from a Kansas agent
- Sales Tax Receipt OR Bill of Sale to pay at DMV when titling
- Lien Release from previous owner’s lien holder if not released on title
- Titles issued out-of-state (not in Kansas) must have MVE1 VIN (vehicle identification number) verification.
Required Documents
Ownership Document
Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) or
Sales Tax Receipt
If vehicle is purchased from a registered Kansas Dealer sales tax should be collected by the Dealer. The Dealer will provide the proof of paid sales tax reciept to the owner. If the vehicle is purchased from a non Dealer or an out of state Dealer this document will not be required and sales tax will be collected at the time of registration.
Valid Proof of Insurance
Kansas law requires that each motor vehicle carry a valid insurance card from a Kansas agent with the following elements as proof of insurance; name of insurer, name of insured party, policy number, effective date, expiration date, to include current date, vehicle description and vehicle identification number or VIN.
Kansas law requires that you carry “Kansas no-fault liability insurance” on any vehicle except a motorized bicycle so that, in case of an accident, the other vehicle and its passengers are protected.
Bill of Sale
If the motor vehicle is purchased new, the receipt must come from a Kansas Auto dealer. If the vehicle is purchased from an auto dealer outside Kansas, a bill of sale for sales tax purposes is needed. Sales tax rates are available from the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Power of Attorney
To title and register a vehicle jointly (Jane AND John Doe), both owners must be present. If both owners are not able to be present, then you will need to have the other owner fill out a Vehicle Power of Attorney. The motor vehicle can be titled and registered by only one owner if the owners are listed as (Jane OR John Doe).
Vehicle Inspection Information
Kansas law requires the Kansas Highway Patrol to inspect vehicles that were previously titled in another state to verify the identification number or VIN number on the vehicle is genuine and agrees with the VIN on the out-of-state title. The inspection is required prior to the owner applying for an original Kansas title.
Vehicles that have been issued a Kansas non-highway title or Kansas salvage title, as well as vehicles that have been assembled or are homemade, are also required to be inspected. The inspection may require additional documentation regarding the history of the various parts used in the assembly and/or repair of the vehicle.
For more information, location times or additional inspection locations visit www.KansasHighwayPatrol.org.
The following items must be presented to complete the inspection:
- Vehicle, Title and/or supporting documents (salvage, owner retain salvage, assembled vehicles)
- Valid Driver’s License for person presenting vehicle for inspection
- Inspection Fee (Payable by cash (preferred), check, Visa or MasterCard)
- $20 for regular MVE-1 inspection
- $25 for salvage/prior or rebuilt salvage
Vehicle Inspection Locations and Phone Numbers:
- Kansas City Office..........913-334-9604
7330 I-70, Exit 415, Kansas City, KS 66112 - Lamar Office..........913-677-5276
3101 S. 24th Street, Kansas City, KS 66106 - Olathe Office..........913-780-6058
395 E. Dennis, Olathe, KS 66061
*CALL FOR INSPECTION HOURS*
Payment Information
When titling and registering, you may pay a registration fee and sales tax on a new or used vehicle, along with personal property taxes.
You may pay your tag registration using cash, check (with valid driver's license and daytime phone number), money order, cashier's check, or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). There will be a convenience fee charged of 2.6% of the total transaction amount, with a $3.00 minimum (subject to change) by the payment processor for using a credit or debit card. Please visit our Frequent Questions section for additional payment information.
If you are registering more than one vehicle, you may combine to make one payment.
There will be a $30.00 service charge per each returned check.
Commercial Vehicles
If you are titling a commercial motor vehicle, there may be additional documents required.
A commercial vehicle is any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle in commerce that is used to transport property or passengers when the vehicle:
- Has a gross weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more;
- is designed or used to transport 15 or more passengers, including the driver; or
- is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.
Please visit our Commercial Vehicles page for more information.
