How to register a vehicle in the US as a non US-resident

By
Matt Copenhaver
Last updated:
20 Nov 2024
visitor.us helps international visitors to the US register vehicles as an alternative to renting so that they can enjoy their time in America.

Introduction

If you’ve been researching how to register a vehicle in the US, you’ve probably found information that is either vague or contradictory.

Some websites say that you need a social security number, others say that you don’t; some resources say that you need to bring proof of insurance, others say that you don’t.

There is a very simple reason that vehicle registration in the US is confusing:

💡Vehicle registration and ownership in the US is handled by the US states, not the national government.

This means that there are 50 different processes for vehicle registration in the US (or more, if you count districts and territories).

And the rules for registering a vehicle in New York are completely different than those in California.

Most vehicle registration resources are written for an audience of Americans, who can simply visit their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

But what about you, the international visitor to the US?

This article covers the vehicle registration process in the United States, written for tourists, travelers, foreigners - anyone who doesn't live in the US.

There are four things you should consider when planning to register a vehicle in the United States:

  • The place,
  • The required items,
  • The process, and
  • The cost.

Let's jump right in.

The Place

Once again, the US states handle vehicle registration.  So which state or states should you consider?

Where must a vehicle be registered?

Each of the US states has a law that requires residents of that state to register a vehicle in that state.

For example, if you move from New York to California, California law requires you to register your vehicle in California within 20 days of becoming a California resident.

The reason for this is simple: money!  Vehicle registration fees and taxes are a major source of revenue for the US states.

But notice, the laws refer to the vehicle owner’s residency, not the vehicle itself.

💡If you’re an international visitor to the US, and aren’t a resident of any US state, you don’t have to register your vehicle in any specific state - you get to select the best state!

Where can a vehicle be registered?

A vehicle can be registered in any state in which the owner has an address (and can provide all of the required items, more on that below.)

To our knowledge, no US state accepts a Post Office Box for vehicle registration.

And to the New York DMV, a California address is foreign, and won’t be accepted for a New York vehicle registration.

So, you have to have a physical address in the state in which you wish to register your vehicle.

A physical address in the state where the vehicle will be registered is required.
A physical address in the state where the vehicle will be registered is required.

But having an address is only the most basic requirement for vehicle registration.

Each US state has its own set of items required for vehicle registration. Let's discuss those next.

The Required Items

In order to register a vehicle in any US state, you’ll need to provide the items required by that state.

Some of these items, such as the vehicle’s title (which the seller will provide when you buy the vehicle) are straightforward for international visitors to the US like you to obtain.

‍But some states require items, such as a US driver’s license or a social security number, that are extremely hard for international visitors to obtain.

‍This section will discuss the items that are required to register a vehicle in general, and specifically, the US states that require each.

The vehicle's prior title (every US state)

‍A vehicle's title is its official ownership document.

Think of it like the deed to a house - while copies of the document can be made, only the authentic document itself is accepted for registration.

In order to register a vehicle, you need the vehicle's prior title, i.e., the title that lists the current owner of the vehicle.

Each US state has its own form of vehicle title - they all look slightly different.  Here are a few examples from multiple US states.

A California vehicle title
A California vehicle title
A Florida vehicle title
A Florida vehicle title
A Texas vehicle title
A Texas vehicle title

Importantly, the vehicle’s prior title must be properly signed by the current owner in order for a new owner to register the vehicle.  For detailed instructions on how to sign a vehicle's title propertly, please see visitor.us' Prior Title Assignment Guide.

Finally, every US state accepts every other US state’s vehicle title.  You won’t have any issue registering a vehicle with a New York title in California - people do it every day.

‍‍

Vehicle inspection requirements (some US states)

T‍he next required item you may need to consider is proof of vehicle inspection.  This would be equivalent to an MOT in the UK and Australia, an HU in Germany, and a roadworthiness test in other parts of the world.

These inspections generally fall into three categories:

  • Tailpipe emissions
  • Safety
  • VIN
Almost all US states require a vehicle inspection for registration
Most US states require a vehicle inspection for registration

Most (42) US states require proof that your vehicle has passed that state's inspection requirements in order to register it in that state, so rather than list those, below are a list of the nine US states that do not have any vehicle inspection requirements:

US states (with very few exceptions) don’t recognize vehicle inspections carried out in other states.‍

So if you plan to buy a vehicle in New York (for example) and register it in California (for example) you need to figure out how to transport that vehicle to California in order to have it inspected - California will not accept a New York vehicle inspection.

In most cases, inspection is due each time a vehicle's registration is renewed (usually annually). If you plan on staying in the same state where the vehicle is registered, this won’t be a problem.

But if you register your vehicle in a state that requires inspections, and plan on traveling around the US (or beyond), you’ll need to make plans to return to the state where your vehicle is registered whenever its inspection is due.

Proof of residency (some US states)

Thirteen US states (and Washington, D.C.) require you to provide proof that you reside at the address where you will register your vehicle.

Each state that requires proof of residency has a slightly different requirement, but they generally include a utility bill or a bank statement.

Many US states require proof of residence, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to register a vehicle
Many US states require proof of residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement, in order to register a vehicle.

Below is a list of the US states that require proof of residence in order to register a vehicle. You can click each state to find more detail on its specific requirements.

US-issued identity document (some US states)

‍In this section, we’ve been discussing the things you’ll need to provide in order to register a vehicle in the US.

Every US state requires a government-issued identity document in order to register a vehicle.

But more than 20 US states require an identity document issued by that state in order to register a vehicle in that state.

Many US states require an in-state identity document in order to register a vehicle.
20+ states require an in-state identity document in order to register a vehicle.

Put another way, if you want to register a vehicle in Washington State, you need a Washington State driver’s license.  If you want to register a vehicle in Pennsylvania, you need a Pennsylvania driver’s license.  And so on with each of the states listed below.

Driver’s licenses allow holders to board a plane, and in some states they allow holders to vote and potentially collect benefits from the state.

Therefore, getting a driver’s license in any of these US states is very difficult if you don’t have a US social security number.

So unless you have a social security number, we would advise avoiding these states for vehicle registration.

Proof of insurance (most US states)

Most US states require proof of insurance, issued within that state, in order to register a vehicle.

For example, you must provide proof of insurance issued by an authorized New York insurer in order to register your vehicle in New York.

Most US states require proof of insurance to register a vehicle.
Most US states require proof of insurance in order to register a vehicle.

Proof of lawful presence (two US states)

A couple of US states allow non-US residents to register vehicles if they can provide "proof of lawful presence" in the US. For travelers, this is a current US visa and I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure. Note that ESTA's are visa waivers, not visas, and are therefore not accepted by these states as proof of lawful presence.

Two US states require proof of lawful presence, in the form of a stamped I-94, in order to register a vehicle.
A couple of US states require a I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure for non-residents to register a vehicle.

Below is a list of the two US states that allow proof of lawful presence in order to register a vehicle. You can click each state to find more detail on its specific requirements.

Six Points of Identity (one US state)

New York uses a “points system” to verify a person’s identity for vehicle registration.  Each identity document is worth a specified point value, and documents worth a total of six points are required to register a vehicle.

For example, a New York State driver’s license or ID card is worth six points, a current US passport is worth four points, and a foreign passport with a visa and a valid I-94 is worth three points.

New York requires six points of identity to register a vehicle.
New York State vehicle registration requires six points of identity.

You can see New York’s full list of identity documents and their points here.

New York’s six points of identity were designed to make it very difficult for non-US citizens or permanent residents to register a vehicle in New York.  So unless you are a US citizen or permanent resident, we suggest avoiding New York for vehicle registration.

Summarizing the required items

As we have shown, each US state has its own list of items required for vehicle registration.

All US states require the vehicle’s title (its ownership document).

In addition, most states require vehicle inspections.  If you are buying a vehicle in the same state that you will register it in, having your vehicle inspected will be a straightforward process.

Many US states require proof of residency in order to register a vehicle.

And many US states require an identity document issued by that state in order to register a vehicle.

And a handful of others have very specific requirements, such as proof of lawful presence and six points of identity.

If you are trying to register a vehicle in a particular US state, and you don’t have the required items - don’t give up!

💡Remember: if you’re an international visitor to the US, and aren’t a resident of any US state, you don’t have to register your vehicle in any specific state - you get to select the best state!

Vehicles registered in any US state can be driven in every US state.

💡Montana is the best state for an international visitor to register a vehicle. In order to register a vehicle, Montana:
- Doesn’t require a US driver’s license or social security number,
- Doesn’t require proof of residence,
- Doesn’t require vehicle inspections (so your vehicle never has to come to Montana), and
- Doesn’t require proof of Montana insurance (although third-party insurance is legally required at all times)

Since 2017, visitor.us has specialized in helping international visitors to the US register vehicles in Montana.  Click here to see how it works.

The Process

Now that we’ve covered the place where a vehicle is registered, and the items required to register a vehicle, let’s discuss the vehicle registration process itself.

Visit the registration authorities

As of 2024, no US state handles initial vehicle registration online or via post.  Most states, however, do allow online registration renewal.

So if you’re registering a vehicle as a new owner, you (or your agent) needs to physically bring the vehicle’s title and other required items to the registration authorities.

In order to register a vehicle in the US, you must bring the vehicle's title and other required items to the registration authorities.
Bring the Required Items to the authorities to register your vehicle

Many US states have a statewide Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  For example, if you’re registering your vehicle in California, you can walk into any California DMV office in the state, regardless of your registration address.

However, many US states delegate vehicle registration to their counties, the level of government below the state and above the city.  For example, if your registration address is in Austin, Texas, which is in Travis County, and you attempt to register your vehicle in Houston, Texas, which is in Harris County, you will be turned away.

So if you’re registering your vehicle yourself, check the state DMV’s website to make sure that the office you plan on visiting works with your office.

Submit the vehicle's prior title

Many people who register a vehicle in the US for the first time expect to receive the vehicle’s prior title - the title that they received from the seller - back from the registration authorities after the registration process.

A California vehicle title
A vehicle's authentic title, not a copy, image, or scan, must be submitted in order to register a vehicle.

However, because a vehicle’s title is its official ownership document, a vehicle can only have one title outstanding at a time.

So registration authorities always collect a vehicle's prior title upon registration and destroy it.

Submit the Required Items

The items required by the state in which you register your vehicle, outlined above (e.g., vehicle inspection, etc.), must be submitted at the time of registration.

Pay sales tax and registration fees

Each US state charges a new vehicle owner sales tax (some states call it excise tax, others call it use tax) and registration fees.

If sales tax was not collected at the time of sale (for example, if you bought your vehicle from an individual), it is due upon registration.

More on this in The Cost section below.

‍‍

Receive your new registration document, license plates, and title

U‍pon registration, you will receive a registration document.  This must always be kept in your vehicle’s glovebox and presented to law enforcement upon request.

Many states issue license plates upon registration - but some do not.  Those states that do not issue license plates upon registration will mail them to the vehicle’s registered address within a couple weeks of the vehicle’s registration.

A few states issue a new title, listing the new registered owner, upon registration - but most states generate titles at a central location and mail them to the vehicle’s registered address a couple of weeks (or a couple of months) after registration.

Summarizing the process

In short, in order to register a vehicle, you take the items required by the state in which you are registering the vehicle, to that state’s registration authorities.  You will receive a new registration document immediately, and license plates and a new title either immediately or later via the mail.

But there’s one last component of the registration process - the cost.  Let’s discuss that next.

The Cost

Sales taxes and registration fees on vehicles are an important revenue source for the US states, so it should come as no surprise that vehicle registration can be costly.

In the US, the cost of vehicle registration is almost never included in the advertised price of a vehicle, whether sold by a dealer or an individual.

This is because, unlike other goods...

💡Sales taxes and registration fees are due in the state in which a vehicle is registered, not where it was purchased.

(There are a couple of exceptions to this rule, which you can learn more about here.)

So the sales taxes and registration fees due on a vehicle can vary depending on the buyer’s location (this is why they aren’t included in the advertised price).

And the cost can vary massively.

Sales taxes on vehicles registered in Montana are 0%
Registering your vehicle anywhere besides Montana can be a costly mistake.

Remember how we said earlier that Montana doesn’t require a US driver’s license, proof of residency, or inspections for vehicle registration?  Well, it gets better…

Sales taxes on vehicles registered in Montana: 0%

💡Registering your vehicle in Montana can save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in sales tax.  And because Montana doesn’t have any vehicle inspection requirements, your vehicle never has to come to Montana.

(There are a couple of sales tax exceptions.  You can read more about them here.)

All we do at visitor.us is register vehicles in the US for international visitors in Montana.  We make the process smooth, easy, and tax free.  Click here to see how it works.

Conclusion

Remember, the US states, not the national government, handle vehicle registration and ownership.

And some US states make it difficult or outright impossible for an international visitor like you to own a vehicle.

But being an international visitor to the US is a double-edged sword.  On one hand, not being a resident makes vehicle registration hard in some states.  But on the other hand, because you’re not a resident of any US state, you don’t have to register your vehicle in any specific state - you get to shop around for the best state!

And clearly, the best state for international visitors to register a vehicle is Montana, for the following reasons:

  • No US driver's license requirement,
  • No proof of residency requirement,
  • No Montana insurance requirement (although insurance is legally required at all times),
  • No vehicle inspection requirement (so you can buy your vehicle anywhere and register it in Montana), and
  • Sales tax on vehicles of 0%

We hope that this article describes vehicle registration for international visitors to the United States better than anything else that you’ve found so far.

If it did, the reason is simple: we at visitor.us are the experts in US vehicle registration for international visitors.  Our straight-forward Montana registration process will save you time, headaches, and money.  Click here to see how visitor.us works.

If you’d like to keep learning, please check out the following resources:

And if you'd like to compare the registration requirements for each US state, check out the links to each state below.

Thanks for reading!

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State-by-State Vehicle Registration Guide

The West Coast

How to register a vehicle in Alaska as a non-US resident

Alaska

How to register a vehicle in Alaska as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in California as a non-US resident

California

How to register a vehicle in California as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Hawaii as a non-US resident

Hawaii

How to register a vehicle in Hawaii as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Oregon as a non-US resident

Oregon

How to register a vehicle in Oregon as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Washington as a non-US resident

Washington

How to register a vehicle in Washington as a non-US resident

The Mountain West

How to register a vehicle in Arizona as a non-US resident

Arizona

How to register a vehicle in Arizona as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Colorado as a non-US resident

Colorado

How to register a vehicle in Colorado as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Idaho as a non-US resident

Idaho

How to register a vehicle in Idaho as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Montana as a non-US resident

Montana

How to register a vehicle in Montana as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Nevada as a non-US resident

Nevada

How to register a vehicle in Nevada as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in New Mexico as a non-US resident

New Mexico

How to register a vehicle in New Mexico as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Utah as a non-US resident

Utah

How to register a vehicle in Utah as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Wyoming as a non-US resident

Wyoming

How to register a vehicle in Wyoming as a non-US resident

The Midwest

How to register a vehicle in Illinois as a non-US resident

Illinois

How to register a vehicle in Illinois as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Indiana as a non-US resident

Indiana

How to register a vehicle in Indiana as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Iowa as a non-US resident

Iowa

How to register a vehicle in Iowa as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Kansas as a non-US resident

Kansas

How to register a vehicle in Kansas as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Michigan as a non-US resident

Michigan

How to register a vehicle in Michigan as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Minnesota as a non-US resident

Minnesota

How to register a vehicle in Minnesota as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Missouri as a non-US resident

Missouri

How to register a vehicle in Missouri as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Nebraska as a non-US resident

Nebraska

How to register a vehicle in Nebraska as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in North Dakota as a non-US resident

North Dakota

How to register a vehicle in North Dakota as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Ohio as a non-US resident

Ohio

How to register a vehicle in Ohio as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in South Dakota as a non-US resident

South Dakota

How to register a vehicle in South Dakota as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Wisconsin as a non-US resident

Wisconsin

How to register a vehicle in Wisconsin as a non-US resident

The South

How to register a vehicle in Alabama as a non-US resident

Alabama

How to register a vehicle in Alabama as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Arkansas as a non-US resident

Arkansas

How to register a vehicle in Arkansas as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Florida as a non-US resident

Florida

How to register a vehicle in Florida as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Georgia as a non-US resident

Georgia

How to register a vehicle in Georgia as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Kentucky as a non-US resident

Kentucky

How to register a vehicle in Kentucky as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Louisiana as a non-US resident

Louisiana

How to register a vehicle in Louisiana as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Maryland as a non-US resident

Maryland

How to register a vehicle in Maryland as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Mississippi as a non-US resident

Mississippi

How to register a vehicle in Mississippi as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in North Carolina as a non-US resident

North Carolina

How to register a vehicle in North Carolina as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Oklahoma as a non-US resident

Oklahoma

How to register a vehicle in Oklahoma as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in South Carolina as a non-US resident

South Carolina

How to register a vehicle in South Carolina as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Tennessee as a non-US resident

Tennessee

How to register a vehicle in Tennessee as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Texas as a non-US resident

Texas

How to register a vehicle in Texas as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Virginia as a non-US resident

Virginia

How to register a vehicle in Virginia as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Washington, D.C. as a non-US resident

Washington, D.C.

How to register a vehicle in Washington, D.C. as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in West Virginia as a non-US resident

West Virginia

How to register a vehicle in West Virginia as a non-US resident

The Northeast

How to register a vehicle in Connecticut as a non-US resident

Connecticut

How to register a vehicle in Connecticut as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Delaware as a non-US resident

Delaware

How to register a vehicle in Delaware as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Maine as a non-US resident

Maine

How to register a vehicle in Maine as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Massachusetts as a non-US resident

Massachusetts

How to register a vehicle in Massachusetts as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in New Hampshire as a non-US resident

New Hampshire

How to register a vehicle in New Hampshire as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in New Jersey as a non-US resident

New Jersey

How to register a vehicle in New Jersey as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in New York as a non-US resident

New York

How to register a vehicle in New York as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Pennsylvania as a non-US resident

Pennsylvania

How to register a vehicle in Pennsylvania as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Rhode Island as a non-US resident

Rhode Island

How to register a vehicle in Rhode Island as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Vermont as a non-US resident

Vermont

How to register a vehicle in Vermont as a non-US resident

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