What do I need to renew my license plates?

To obtain information regarding your renewal, you may visit the Department's Renewal Requirements Inquiry system. 

Missouri license plates must be renewed during the expiration month or before. You can renew them up to six months early, by visiting your local license office.

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 any Missouri 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
• Temporarily Residing Out of State
• Military Personnel Stationed Out of State
• Mailing Address (for mail-in transactions)

Missouri Resident

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

To renew your license plates, you will need:

1. Your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may complete and print a copy of the  Application for License (Form 184) from your computer;
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, copy, or electronic if legible) 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, or receipts from the previous two years if the registration you are renewing was a two-year registration; 
4. A current insurance identification card (original, copy, or electronic if legible) or other proof of financial responsibility; and
5. The correct registration (license plate) and processing fee.

NOTE: A $5 renewal penalty will be charged if you renew your plates after the expiration date.

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. Your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may complete and print a copy of the Application for License (Form 184) from your computer;

• Indicate if the vehicle has been out of state for more than 60 days in the "Signature and Certification" portion of the application if the vehicle is required to be safety or emissions inspected.

A paid personal property tax receipt (original, copy, or electronic if legible) 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, or receipts from the previous two years if the registration you are renewing was a two-year registration; 

A current insurance identification card (original, copy, or electronic if legible) or other proof of financial responsibility; and

The correct registration (license plate) and processing fee.

NOTE: 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. 

Military Personnel Stationed Out of State

To renew your license plates, you will need:

1. Your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may complete and print a copy of the Application for License (Form 184) from your computer;

• Indicate if the vehicle has been out of state for more than 60 days in the "Signature and Certification" portion of the application if the vehicle is required to be safety or emissions inspected.

A paid personal property tax receipt (original, copy, or electronic if legible) 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, or receipts from the previous two years if the registration you are renewing was a two-year registration; , or (if your home of record is not Missouri) a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to verify military status and state of residency. Note: If the LES shows Missouri as the state of residency, you will need to show a personal property tax receipt or statement of non-assessment.

A current insurance identification card (original, copy, or electronic if legible) or other proof of financial responsibility; and

The correct registration (license plate) and processing fee.

NOTE: A $5 renewal penalty will be charged if you renew your plates after the expiration date. This fee may be waived if the military applicant submits official orders from the appropriate military authority as evidence of military service and the date of discharge. The renewal must be processed within 60 days after completion of military service, and the vehicle may not be operated during the period the registration is expired.

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.