County Treasurer

Ordinary vehicle title and registration applications are filed with the County Treasurer in the county where the vehicle is garaged. The office also collects applicable sales/use tax, property tax and local service charges.

Kansas Division of Vehicles

Maintains title and registration records, electronic liens, specialized title processes, duplicate-title services, commercial vehicle programs and statewide policy.

Separate agencies

KDWP registers vessels; Kansas Highway Patrol performs required vehicle examinations; the Secretary of State receives applicable UCC filings for non-titled collateral.

Electronic-title state

Paper titles are generally not issued while a lien remains active. The lien and title record are held electronically, and the lienholder receives the applicable title-summary record.

County-specific completion

Final property tax, county/facility fees, payment methods, office appointment requirements and inspection handling can differ by county. Confirm the receiving location before sending original documents.

Standard application

Use the current Title and Registration Manual Application, TR-212a, for ordinary vehicles. Manufactured or mobile homes use TR-212b. Applications are generally filed with the County Treasurer where the unit is garaged.

Title fee and timing

The standard title fee is $10. Kansas holds ordinary title applications for a statutory security-interest period, and paper title delivery may take several weeks after processing.

New units

Submit the original manufacturer’s statement or certificate of origin, properly assigned. An out-of-state purchase should include the purchase contract and tax documentation.

Used units

Submit the original assigned certificate of title. A bill of sale supports the purchase and is required when the title does not show the purchase price or when the transaction type requires one.

Non-title jurisdiction

Use the current valid registration and a bill of sale or other ownership evidence accepted by the County Treasurer.

Government and imported units

Government surplus commonly uses SF97-1. Imported vehicles require foreign ownership evidence and applicable federal customs, EPA and DOT compliance documents.

Salvage / nonrepairable

Qualifying damaged or insurer-totaled vehicles require the appropriate salvage title or nonrepairable certificate. TR-13 and the assigned ownership document are commonly required. A nonrepairable vehicle is restricted to parts, scrap or authorized disposal.

Rebuilt salvage

A repaired salvage vehicle must pass Kansas Highway Patrol examination. Submit the salvage title and MVE-1. The resulting title carries the Rebuilt Salvage brand.

Nonhighway to highway use

A formerly nonhighway vehicle must be inspected before highway operation. Submit the MVE-1 and proof of insurance with the title/registration application.

Insufficient evidence

TR-90 may support qualifying never-titled light trailers, mobile homes, ATVs, micro utility trucks, boat trailers, worksite utility vehicles and certain antiques. If the seller cannot provide a title and cannot be located, a court order may be required.

Abandoned / unclaimed

Public-agency, landlord, repair, storage and towing transactions each have distinct notice, waiting-period, publication, affidavit and sale requirements. Use the exact statutory packet rather than a generic bill of sale.

Title brands

Kansas carries comparable out-of-state brands forward. Common brands and notations include Kit, Rebuilt Salvage, Reconstructed, Salvage, Antique, Non-Highway, Recreational Vehicle and Replacement.

Title-lien filing

• Use the lienholder’s exact legal name and complete address.
• Preserve the security agreement and title application.
• Vehicles at or below 26,000 lb GVWR generally show one lien; heavier vehicles may permit two.
• Paper title is generally not issued while a lien remains active.

Refinance

TR-720R is used for refinancing. The prior lienholder must release the existing lien within the applicable period or the registration record may remain incomplete.

Lien release

A notarized TR-150 or another acceptable release may be used. Electronic liens are released through the electronic-title system. The lienholder’s release deadline depends on how final payment was received.

UCC for title-exempt collateral

Financed property that does not receive a Kansas motor-vehicle title may require a UCC filing with the Kansas Secretary of State, subject to Article 9 debtor-location and collateral rules.

Ordinary transfer

Transfer ownership through a complete title assignment. File within 60 days to avoid late charges. Preserve the bill of sale, odometer disclosure, tax evidence and lien documents.

Joint ownership

“And” or no conjunction generally requires all owners to sign. “Or” or “and/or” generally permits one owner to sign, subject to the exact title record and transaction.

Estates

TR-83a, TR-83b, probate documents or a TOD affidavit may apply depending on estate value, probate status, title wording, beneficiaries and liens.

Power of attorney

TR-41 may be used when the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure. Secure POA requirements apply when one person signs for both buyer and seller or makes required odometer statements.

Dealer reassignment

Licensed dealers may use the authorized reassignment form when title assignment spaces are exhausted. Individuals and ordinary businesses must title the vehicle before reselling it.

Repossession

After lawful repossession, use TR-212a, TR-84, the security agreement, payment history and title verification. The typical state title and repossession amounts are $10 and $3.

Renewal routes

Renewal may be available by mail, in person, online or through iKan. Commercial vehicles may use KCoVRS. Payment-processing or office service charges can apply.

Late registration

A monthly late-registration penalty may apply after the expiration date. A non-operation affidavit can support qualifying relief when the vehicle was not operated for the full registration period.

Temporary permits

Kansas offers transaction-specific temporary, one-day, transport and commercial permits. Eligibility, service charges and operating restrictions differ by permit.

Plate ownership and transfer

Kansas generally issues one plate. The plate remains with the owner and may be transferred to another qualifying vehicle. The state transfer fee is generally $1.50 plus applicable local/service charges and any fee difference.

Sales and compensating use tax

Kansas applies 6.5% state tax plus applicable county, city and special-district tax. Out-of-state dealer purchases generally use the Kansas registration address. A Kansas purchase may require comparison of the sale/delivery and registration-address rates.

Tax paid elsewhere

Documented tax legally paid to another state may receive credit, subject to Kansas limitations. The calculator caps the credit at the Kansas liability.

Trade and transfer relief

A qualifying vehicle or trailer trade-in titled to the purchaser may reduce the taxable amount. A qualifying sale of another used vehicle within the statutory 120-day period can support a separate credit/refund process.

Exemptions

Potential exemptions include qualifying family transfers, gifts, interstate motor-carrier rolling stock, agricultural equipment, used manufactured homes and qualifying nonresident deliveries. Use the controlling exemption certificate or affidavit.

Commercial fee in lieu

A truck or truck tractor over 10,000 lb operating commercially can owe an annual commercial vehicle fee in lieu of property tax. The amount depends on weight and, for lighter units, model age.

IRP

Kansas Motor Carrier Services administers apportioned registration. IRP carriers pay Kansas registration and commercial-fee amounts based on the applicable apportioned mileage percentage.

Farm and local classes

Farm and 6,000-mile/local registrations have restricted qualifications and operating limits. Do not select a reduced class without supporting use documentation.

Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax

Vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lb or more generally require a stamped IRS Schedule 1 or another accepted HVUT proof before registration.

Light trailers

A trailer at 2,000 lb or less operating weight may be titled and registered at the owner’s option. Heavier trailers generally require title and registration.

Farm trailers

A farm trailer hauling 6,000 lb or less may be exempt or optional. Heavier or commercially operated units follow the applicable trailer schedule.

Vessels

KDWP registers motorboats and sailboats for three years. New owners certify the HIN and may need a photograph or tracing. Homemade or altered-HIN vessels require inspection/assignment.

ATVs and utility units

ATVs, worksite utility vehicles and micro utility trucks are commonly titled as nonhighway vehicles. Highway operation and local permits remain restricted.

Snowmobiles and golf carts

These units are generally outside the ordinary motor-vehicle title system. Financing can require a separate UCC review.

Manufactured homes

Kansas generally issues one title regardless of the number of sections. TR-63 may eliminate the title after permanent affixation to real estate and county recording.

Odometer disclosure

Odometer disclosure is generally required on transfer. Model year 2010 and older vehicles, trailers, vehicles without odometers and trucks over 16,000 lb GVWR are generally exempt from federal mileage-status disclosure, although the reading may still be recorded.

MVE-1 triggers

Common triggers include out-of-state ownership documents, bill-of-sale title applications, rebuilt salvage, military surplus, formerly nonhighway vehicles and certain boat trailers.

TR-65 alternative

Qualifying active-duty military, apportioned vehicles and units temporarily outside Kansas may use the approved out-of-state VIN verification process instead of an in-state MVE-1.

Insurance evidence

Provide a current insurance ID card or policy page showing the vehicle VIN, insurer, policy number and effective dates. A promise or agreement to provide insurance is not proof of insurance.

Insurance

Kansas liability insurance is required for ordinary highway registration. Commercial carriers and transportation-network vehicles have higher or specialized requirements.

Safety and emissions

Kansas does not require a statewide emissions inspection or routine periodic safety inspection. KHP may conduct spot inspections, and VIN/rebuilt inspections remain transaction-specific.

Military

Nonresident military members stationed in Kansas may retain qualifying home-state registration. Kansas residents stationed elsewhere can use TR-65 and may qualify for property-tax exemptions on limited vehicles with supporting military documents.

Records

Vehicle records are maintained by title number, owner, plate and VIN. Protected information requires an authorized purpose and the appropriate records request and fee.