How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Kansas From Out of State
Individuals relocating to Kansas with motor vehicles titled in another jurisdiction must complete registration within 90 days of establishing residency or obtaining gainful employment in the state. The Kansas Department of Revenue oversees motor vehicle titling and registration services delivered through county treasurer offices across all 105 Kansas counties.
Base Registration and Title Fees
Vehicle registration transfer from out-of-state to Kansas encompasses registration fees, certificate of title charges, vehicle identification number fees, and registration year fees based on vehicle weight. The Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles establishes uniform fee schedules applied throughout all county treasurer offices statewide.
Standard State Fees
Kansas determines annual registration fees according to vehicle weight classification, with additional charges for vehicle age and type.
Annual Registration Fees by Vehicle Weight:
| Vehicle Weight Range | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 4,500 lbs | $42.50 |
| Over 4,500 lbs | $52.25 |
Specialized Vehicle Registration Fees:
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 12 M Trucks | $52.25 |
| Motorcycles | $28.25 |
| Motorbikes | $28.25 |
| Trailers (2,000 to 8,000 lbs) | $47.25 |
| Trailers (8,001 to 12,000 lbs) | $57.25 |
| Trailers (over 12,000 lbs) | $67.25 |
Additional Registration Components:
- Electric vehicle surcharge: $100.00 (annual)
- Plug-in hybrid vehicle surcharge: $50.00 (annual)
Kansas imposes additional annual fees on electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to compensate for reduced motor fuel tax contributions, as authorized under K.S.A. 8-143d.
Title Fees
Kansas requires a certificate of title issuance for all motor vehicles, manufactured homes, and trailers.
Certificate of Title Transaction Fees:
| Transaction Description | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $10.00 |
| Transfer fee | $6.50 |
| Modernization fee | $4.00 |
County Processing Fees
Kansas county treasurers assess administrative processing fees for handling vehicle registration and title transactions. These charges support county motor vehicle operations as specified in K.S.A. 8-145.
County Administrative Charges:
| Service Type | County Fee |
|---|---|
| Title application | $2.00 |
| License application | $0.75 |
| License plate transfer application | $0.75 |
County processing fees remain consistent across Kansas' 105 counties, though individual counties may impose minimal additional charges for specific administrative services with approval from county commission boards.
Compensating Use Tax
Kansas imposes a 6.5% Compensating Use Tax on goods and merchandise, including vehicles, purchased in other states and used, consumed, or stored in Kansas when no sales tax was paid at time of purchase or another state's sales tax was paid, but at a rate less than the Kansas rate.
Salvage Vehicle Inspection
Motor vehicles bearing salvage titles or reconstructed from salvage components must complete examination by the Kansas Highway Patrol before receiving a rebuilt title and standard registration. Information regarding salvage vehicle requirements is available through the Kansas Highway Patrol Vehicle Inspection page.
Salvage and Rebuilt Title Fees:
| Fee Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Salvage vehicle inspection | $25.00 |
| Salvage title application | $10.00 |
The salvage inspection fee is remitted to the Kansas Highway Patrol at the time of vehicle examination. The rebuilt title fee is paid to the county treasurer when submitting the title application after successful inspection completion.
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Kansas Department of Revenue - Division of Vehicles
915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: (785) 368-8222
Official Website: Kansas Department of Revenue
The Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles establishes policies and regulations for vehicle titling, registration, and taxation throughout Kansas. The division coordinates with county treasurers in all 105 counties, who process motor vehicle registration transactions and title applications for Kansas residents.
Kansas Vehicle Licensing Offices
Kansas provides motor vehicle registration services through county treasurer offices in each of Kansas' 105 counties. County treasurer contact information is available through the Kansas County Treasurers Directory.
Johnson County Treasurer
111 South Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: (913) 715-5000
Official Website: Johnson County Treasurer
Sedgwick County Treasurer
510 North Main Street, Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67203
Phone: (316) 660-9000
Official Website: Sedgwick County Treasurer
Shawnee County Treasurer
200 Southeast 7th Street, Room B-10, Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 251-6493
Official Website: Shawnee County Treasurer
Wyandotte County Treasurer
710 North 7th Street, Suite 200, Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 573-2823
Official Website: Wyandotte County Treasurer
Douglas County Treasurer
1100 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 832-5273
Official Website: Douglas County Treasurer
Leavenworth County Treasurer
300 Walnut Street, Suite 103, Leavenworth, KS 66048
Phone: (913) 684-0430
Official Website: Leavenworth County Treasurer
Riley County Treasurer
110 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-6320
Official Website: Riley County Treasurer
Saline County Treasurer
300 West Ash Street, Room 214, Salina, KS 67401
Phone: (785) 309-5860
Official Website: Saline County Treasurer
Butler County Treasurer
205 W. Central, 2nd Floor, El Dorado, KS 67042
Phone: (316) 322-4210
Official Website: Butler County Treasurer
Reno County Treasurer
206 West First Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone: (620) 694-2940
Official Website: Reno County Treasurer
