How to Register a Car in Alaska
If you’re moving to or working in Alaska, you must apply for vehicle registration within the first 10 days after entering the state.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
If you just moved to or started working in Alaska, you’ll need to apply for registration for your vehicle within 10 days of entering the state. You can do this at a local AL DMV office, or by mail if you live more than 50 miles away from one.
When you register your vehicle, you’ll need to submit your vehicle’s current registration, its title, and an
Application for Title & Registration (Form 812)
. You’ll also need to pay applicable fees
.There’s no need to be daunted by the task of registering your vehicle in Alaska.
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How to register a car in Alaska
The Alaska vehicle registration process is fairly uncomplicated, but unfortunately you won’t be able to do it online. You'll have to visit a local DMV office, unless you live more than 50 miles away from one. If you’re in a remote location, you can submit your registration application by mail.
If you just moved to Alaska
If you’ve just moved to or started working in the Not Canada State, you have 10 days to apply for your vehicle registration. You’ll also need to get your
Alaska driver’s license
if you’ll be driving in Alaska for more than 90 days. Both can be done at the local DMV.When you get to the DMV, you’ll need to submit your current out-of-state registration, the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) or title, your
application form
, and any applicable fees
. If there’s a lienholder, you’ll need to submit a notarized power of attorney
or lien release. Depending on where in Alaska you live, you might also need to pay Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT)
.Vehicles that are under 12,000 pounds and less than 10 years old require an odometer reading.
How much insurance coverage do you need in Alaska?
The state of Alaska doesn’t require any vehicle inspections to register a car. You’ll be required by law to purchase minimum
liability insurance
. The minimum limits are $50,000 for bodily injury
or death for any one person, $100,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, and $25,000 for property damage
.How to renew your Alaska vehicle registration
Your Alaska vehicle registration will last for two years. Seniors automatically qualify for free registration, and Alaska residents can also apply for
permanent registration
at their local DMV office.While you won’t be able to register a new or out-of-state vehicle online, you can
renew your Alaska vehicle registration online
. You’ll be charged a $10 walk in fee if you decide to go into a DMV office to renew your registration. It’s also possible to renew your registration by mail, but the DMV suggests allowing 6 weeks for the process, meaning you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure your registration doesn’t expire before you get your new registration documents back.If you’re registering by mail, you’ll need to send in the following documents:
- Current registration
- CompletedForm 812
- Check or money order forapplicable fees and/or taxes
- A self-addressed envelope for new documents to be sent back to you
How to replace a lost tab, license plate, or registration
In Alaska, you are required by law to have two license plates on any vehicle other than a motorcycle or trailer, and the rear plate must have your current tab on the rear license plate.
If you’re the listed owner of the vehicle on the title and/or registration, you’ll have to go to the DMV to get a replacement for any of these items. If you’ve lost a tab or plate, bring a copy of your vehicle registration. You can also bring your plate number, VIN number, and make and model info, or you can bring a completed
Form V1
.If you’re more than 50 miles from a local DMV office, you can use the
duplicate registration online service
to get a replacement registration. Otherwise, you’ll need to send a completed Form V1
or a hand-written request containing the plate number, VIN number, and make and model info by mail, along with a check or money order to pay for fees.Here are the fees, depending on what you need to replace:
Mail your documents to:
State of Alaska DMV
3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
ATTN: Correspondence
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FAQs
What are the requirements to register a vehicle in Alaska?
In order to register a vehicle in Alaska, you’ll need to pay applicable fees and taxes, submit the vehicle’s title or MCO or lienholder
power of attorney
/lien release to the DMV, and complete and submit an original Vehicle Transaction Application Form V1
. You’ll also need to submit and surrender your current out-of-state registration and an odometer reading for any vehicle under 12,000 pounds and less than 10 years old.How much does it take to register a car in Texas?
Exact amounts will depend on the municipal taxes where you live, but there are some base prices to keep in mind. A passenger car, van, or truck that weighs less than 10,000 pounds costs a base rate of $100 to register. If you need to apply for an Alaska title, you’ll also be charged a $15 title fee. There’s also a $15 lien recording fee and a $5 plate transfer fee that may be applicable.
What is the cost to register a truck in Alaska?
As long as it weighs less than 10,000 pounds, you’ll be charged the regular $100 fee. Extra charges will vary depending on how much heavier the truck is and what it’s being used for.
Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in Alaska?
If you have an 8 year-old or older vehicle, you can apply for
permanent registration
. Permanent registration cost an additional $25. If you are approved for permanent registration, you’ll get a “Z” tab for your rear license plate and will never have to renew your registration again for that vehicle.Charitable organizations, tribal Village councils, and religious organizations can also apply for exemptions to registration of vehicles they own.
If you live in
any area on this list
, you are exempt from vehicle registration, mandatory insurance, and CDL road testing.Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
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