Renewing Missouri License Plates

Missouri license plates must be renewed during the expiration month or before. You can renew them up to six months early, and you have up to three convenient renewal options. You may renew online at www.plates.mo.gov if a Personal Identification Number (PIN) appears on your renewal notice, you may renew by mail following the instructions on that same notice, or you may visit one of Missouri’s over 180 license offices.

Because it’s easy to put things off, the busiest time in license offices is near the end of each month. If you plan ahead and visit your license office earlier than that, you will have a quicker visit. Make sure you read your renewal notice and have your paperwork ready to go, and your license office visit will run smoothly.

NOTE: Vehicle owners may only obtain two year registration for an even model year vehicle in an even calendar year, or for an odd model year vehicle in an odd calendar year.

Missouri Resident

You may renew your license plates online, by mail, or at any local license office.

To renew your license plates, you will need:

  1. A Vehicle Registration Renewal notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may complete and print an Application for License (Form 184) online or obtain an application at your local license office;
  2. A Missouri safety inspection and/or emissions inspection certificate not more than 60 days old, if applicable;
  3. A paid personal property tax receipt (original or copy) or a statement of non-assessment from your county of residence (or city of St. Louis) for the previous year for a one year registration. If the registration you are renewing was a two-year registration, tax receipts or statements from the prior two years must be submitted;
  4. A current insurance identification card (original or copy) or other proof of financial responsibility;
  5. The correct registration (license plate) fee; and
  6. $3.50 registration processing fee for a one year registration or $7.00 registration processing fee for a two year registration.
  7. A $5 renewal penalty will be charged if you renew your plates after the expiration date.

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Temporarily Residing Out of State

Your renewal notice will not be forwarded to an out of state address.

To renew your license plates, you will need:

  1. A Vehicle Registration Renewal notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may print a copy of the Application for License (Form 184)from your computer;
  2. A General Affidavit (Form 768) stating the vehicle has been out of state for more than 60 days, if the vehicle is required to be safety inspected or emissions inspected;
  3. A paid personal property tax receipt (original or copy) or a statement of non-assessment from your county of residence (or city of St. Louis) for the previous year for a one year registration. Two year registrations require receipts or statements from the prior two years;
  4. A current insurance identification card (original or copy) or other proof of financial responsibility;
  5. The correct registration (license plate) fee;
  6. $3.50 registration processing fee for a one year registration or $7.00 registration processing fee for a two year registration; and
  7. A $5 renewal penalty will be charged if you renew your plates after the expiration date.

NOTE: Upon returning to Missouri the vehicle must be safety inspected within 10 days.  The vehicle must also be emissions inspected within 10 days, if applicable.

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Military Personnel Stationed Out of State

To renew your license plates, you will need:

  1. A Vehicle Registration Renewal notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may print a copy of the Application for License (Form 184)from your computer;
  2. A General Affidavit (Form 768) stating the vehicle has been out of state for more than 60 days;
  3. A paid personal property tax receipt (original or copy), statement of non-assessment from your Missouri county of residence (or city of St. Louis) for the previous year or, if your home of record is not Missouri, a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to verify military status and state of residency for a one year registration. Two year registrations require receipts or statements from the prior two years; Note: If the LES shows Missouri as the state of residency, you will need to show personal property tax receipt or statement of non-assessment.
  4. A current insurance identification card (original or copy) or other proof of financial responsibility;
  5. The correct registration (license plate) fee;
  6. $3.50 registration processing fee for a one year registration or $7.00 registration processing fee for a two year registration; and
  7. A $5 renewal penalty will be charged if you renew your plates after the expiration date.

NOTE: Upon returning to Missouri the vehicle must be safety inspected within 10 days.  The vehicle must also be emissions inspected within 10 days, if applicable.

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