to register your vehicle. The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) charges $8.50 for the title transfer, plus you’ll need to pay registration and processing fees.

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How to buy a car out of state as a Missouri resident

Finding the perfect vehicle can be a struggle, and the last thing you need is extra hoops to jump through to get that vehicle

legally registered in Missouri

once you’ve found it. Luckily, the process for titling and registering a vehicle purchased out of state is nearly identical to that for one purchased within Missouri. However, you’ll need different documentation if you buy a new vehicle versus that required for a used vehicle.

New vehicle purchased out-of-state

If you

buy a new car

from an out-of-state dealership, you’ll need to ensure you obtain the following from the out-of-state dealer:

Dealer’s invoice or a

bill of sale

Assigned Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)

In addition, you and the dealer will need to complete the

odometer disclosure

portion on the back of the MSO.

Buying a used vehicle from out-of-state

If you’re buying a used car from a private party out-of-state, you need to obtain

a properly assigned title

from the seller. If you’re buying from a dealership, you must obtain a reassigned title from the dealer. Since this will be an out-of-state title, you’ll need to obtain an

identification number and odometer inspection

(ID/OD) completed by an authorized

Missouri inspection station

before you can apply for a Missouri title. A safety inspection less than 60 days old will also satisfy this requirement.

If you’re

buying a car without a title

, or the state you’re buying in doesn’t require titles, you need to obtain a bill of sale. This bill of sale must include:

Buyer’s and seller’s names, addresses, and signatures

The purchase date

Purchase price

Year

Make

Vehicle identification number (VIN)

If the used vehicle is newer than the 2011 model year, and less than 20 years old, you’ll also need a proper odometer disclosure.

Vehicle title and registration

From here on, the process is the same regardless of whether you purchased a new or used vehicle, and regardless of where the vehicle was purchased. First, you must obtain a properly assigned title. Missouri law generally requires that you apply for a title within 30 days. If an application for title is not made within this time frame, a $25 delinquent penalty fee will be assessed for every 30 days of delinquency, up to $200.

To title and register a vehicle in Missouri, you’ll need to bring the following to a

Missouri license office

Certificate of Title properly signed over to you, or (MSO).

Application for Missouri Title and License (

Form 108

)

Proof of insurance

Paid personal property tax receipt (or

statement of non-assessment

if you’re a new Missouri resident)

$8.50 title fee and $6 title processing fee

Registration fees

and a $6 registration processing fee for one-year registration or a $12 fee for a two-year registration.

State tax of 4.225%, plus your

local sales tax

on the purchase price, less trade-in allowance. This

Missouri online sales tax calculator

can help with the calculations.

Depending on the situation of your purchase, you may also need the following:

ID/OD or safety inspection

(if applicable)

Odometer Disclosure Statement (

Form 3019

) (if applicable)

A notarized Lien Release (

Form 4809

) (if applicable)

Emissions inspection

(St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Charles counties only)

If you’re unsure whether you’ll need the additional documents listed above, refer to the Missouri DOR’s

Buying a Vehicle

page for clarification.

To complete the title and registration by mail, send the above document along with a check for payment of taxes and fees to:

Missouri Motor Vehicle Bureau

P.O. Box 100

Jefferson City, MO 65105-0100

Once all of your documents have been properly submitted, you’ll receive a Missouri title and a set of

Missouri license plates

for your vehicle.

MORE:

Missouri car sales tax

How to buy a car in Missouri if you live out of state

So, now that you know what to do if you buy a car out-of-state while living in Missouri, you may be wondering what you should do if you’re buying a vehicle in Missouri but live elsewhere. The process will vary from one state to the next, but making sure you obtain a valid bill of sale (have it notarized to cover all your bases) and odometer disclosure (again, notarization is never a bad idea), will go a long way toward simplifying the process. Take these documents to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state of residency along with:

Photo ID

Proof of insurance

Proof of residency

and any other documents required

You may need to pay local sales tax or the difference between the sales tax in Missouri and the state where you plan to register the car.

What if I don’t have a physical title?

If you purchase a car without a title, you’ll need to ensure you get a valid and notarized Bill of Sale. Not only is this important to have for your own records, but you can also use it to obtain a

temporary permit

to drive your vehicle while you wait for your title application to be processed. To obtain a temporary permit from any Missouri License Office, bring one of the following documents:

Certificate of Title or MSO

Bill of Sale (Form 1957)

Notice of Sale (Form 5049)

Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108)

In addition to one of the above, you’ll also need:

A safety inspection less than 60 days old

Proof of insurance

$5 permit fee and $6 processing fee

You’ll be issued a temporary permit good for 30 days (or up to 60 in certain circumstances). This permit will need to be surrendered once your paperwork is processed and you receive your permanent license plates.

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

Sometimes, crossing state lines is the only way to get your hands on the vehicle you want most. But it brings with it some of its own dangers and hassles. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you choose to purchase a vehicle out-of-state:

Get a vehicle history report. This is a smart move anytime you’re buying a used car, but especially if you’re buying one from out of state and/or from a private seller.

CARFAX

and other similar services provide owners with vehicle history reports that help

check if a used car is a lemon

Get the vehicle inspected in Missouri. Even if the state you buy your car in requires vehicle inspections, they may not meet Missouri car inspection requirements.

Get an emissions inspection. Especially if you live in or around St. Louis, emissions testing is something you’ll be required to do regularly to register your vehicle.

Understand your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. Your care will be taxed based on the state in which it’s going to “live,” not the state in which it was purchased.

Make sure you’re covered before you leave the lot. If you’re planning to drive your new ride back to your home state, you need to ensure you’ve got it covered with a policy that meets

Missouri auto insurance laws and minimum requirements

before you hit the road.

MORE:

How to find temporary car insurance in Missouri

How to save on car insurance in Missouri

Like 49 out of 50 US states, Missouri requires drivers to carry at least

minimum liability coverage

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