Buying a Car In Kansas From Out Of State
After you purchase a car from out of state, you’ll need to get it registered back home in Kansas.
Written by Melanie Mergen
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
If you bought a vehicle from a car dealer or private party out of state and want to register it in Kansas, you must pay Kansas car sales tax and submit the original title for transfer to the Kansas Secretary of State.
Buying a car is complicated enough to begin with—but if you buy a car from a different state than the one where you live, you’re opening up a whole new can of paperwork worms.
Luckily,
Jerry
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, is here to help you navigate the process of buying a car in Kansas from out of state. Whether you’re trying to transfer a title to Kansas or looking to purchase a Kansas vehicle as a resident of a different state, we’ve got you covered—and we’ll show you how to save on Kansas car insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow to buy a car out of state as a Kansas resident
Buying a car outside of Kansas means that, once you bring it back home, you might need to take a few additional steps to properly transfer the title and get it registered.
You can apply for your certificate of title and registration through your
county treasurer’s office
.One thing to know when it comes time to title and register that vehicle in Kansas: for out-of-state titles and/or a bill of sale that indicates an out-of-state owner, you’ll need to get a vehicle inspection first. This applies to any vehicle 60 years old or newer, and the inspection fee is $20.
You can get that taken care of at a Kansas motor vehicle inspection station. You can track down station locations and other information via the
Kansas County Treasurers Association service directory
. If your vehicle meets all the necessary requirements post-inspection, you’ll be issued a pink copy of the motor vehicle examination (MVE-1) form so you can apply for a title and registration.To title a new or used vehicle in Kansas after purchasing it from another state, you’ll need the following information:
- The MVE-1 form mentioned above (for used vehicles)
- The out-of-state title or manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO) that’s been signed over to the buyer
- Bill of sale or sales tax receipt if purchased from a dealership
- Vehicle’s current mileage
- Proof of car insurance
A sales tax receipt is necessary when you purchase a vehicle from a dealership. Otherwise, sales tax will need to be paid when you title the vehicle. If there was sales tax paid to another state on the vehicle, you’ll be responsible for paying the remaining difference based on Kansas sales tax requirements.
Title fees are $8, and the fee for tags varies depending on the vehicle type.
If there’s a difference between the sales tax you’d owe on the vehicle if you purchased it in Kansas and the sales tax you paid on your car in the state where you bought it, you’ll need to pay that amount at the time of registration. You’ll also owe property tax on the vehicle at registration time, unless you’re only applying for a temporary plate.
You can contact your county treasurer’s office if you’d like an estimate for the fees that will be associated with your own vehicle. The general titling and registration process can also vary somewhat at the local level, so check with your county treasurer’s office if you need to clarify any additional details.
MORE: What is the motor vehicle examination certificate in Kansas?
How to buy a car in Kansas if you live out of state
What about the reverse situation? When you live in another state, the process of titling and registration after buying a vehicle in Kansas will depend on the various laws that apply to your home state.
Before purchasing your vehicle, it’s a good idea to look up what those requirements are so you can leave the sale with the documentation you need.
In many cases, you’ll likely need some combination of the following documents:
- A bill of sale (some states require this to be notarized)
- Title or MSO
- Current proof of insurance
- Proof of residency
- Odometer disclosure
- Damage disclosure
- Any other documents required to register the vehicle in your home state
It’s also helpful to remember that you might need to pay local sales tax and/or property tax for your vehicle purchase, or a difference between Kansas sales tax and your home state’s sales tax at the time of registration.
What if I don’t have a physical title?
To register a vehicle that has an electronic title or e-title in Kansas, you’ll need the same documents listed above for titling a used vehicle. If you want a 60-day permit that will allow you to use your vehicle while all that paperwork is processing, you’ll also need:
- A copy of the seller’s current registration receipt
- Current proof of insurance
The seller of the vehicle must give you a lien release or clear paper title before you can officially register your vehicle. To do this, they can complete a power of attorney, purchase price, and odometer disclosure for electronic title form (Form TR-40). Or, if the lien is being transferred to you, you’ll need a
lienholder’s consent to transfer ownership form (From TR-128)
.MORE: Title transfer in Kansas
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversTips for buying a vehicle out of state
Buying a car from a different state can expand your pool of options to find the exact vehicle you’re looking for, or even lower prices. But depending on the state, the buying process could become a bit more complicated. To make the process as smooth as possible, take note of these out-of-state car-buying tips:
- Always check the vehicle history report. If you’re buying a used vehicle—especially if it’s from a private seller—you’ll want to know as much about its history as you can.CARFAXand similar services can show you details like past repairs, any accidents it might have been involved in, and more.
- See the car in person. Whenever possible, it’s best to see a car in person before you decide to buy it. This makes it easier to make sure the car has all its advertised features, and you can pick up on signs of damage or other problems that could easily be hidden in an online listing.
- Schedule your vehicle inspection at home. Once you’ve finalized your purchase, remember to schedule your vehicle inspection so you can proceed with titling and registration in Kansas in a timely fashion.
- Figure out sales tax requirements. As a Kansas resident, you’ll be responsible for sales tax and property tax at the time of registration in most cases. You can check with your county treasurer’s office for estimates on those amounts so you can come prepared with your payment.
- Buy car insurance before you leave with your car! Before you drive off into the sunset in your brand new set of wheels, make sure you have a car insurance policy that satisfiesKansas’s minimum car insurance laws. Most providers will work with you to ensure it’s in effect, even as you’re finalizing other paperwork related to your purchase.
How to save on car insurance in Kansas
Car shopping is time-consuming as it is, but the
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Once you’ve picked a policy that offers the right coverage at the right rate, Jerry’s experienced team of agents can even help you switch to your new coverage.
And just like that, you have one more item taken care of on your titling and registration checklist!
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