A Kansas car title is a legal document that signifies motor vehicle ownership. As such, drivers must apply for a car title immediately after purchasing or acquiring a new or used vehicle. In addition to applying for an auto title in KS, drivers must register their vehicles within 60 days of purchase to avoid administrative penalties. Furthermore, drivers may obtain vehicle titles and registration documents simultaneously by completing the Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a).

On the other hand, drivers have the option to apply for DMV car title and registration documents separately if they prefer. To learn more about how to get car title certificate and to learn about the ways in which titles relate to registration documents, review the sections below.

Where to Apply for a Car Title in Kansas

To obtain a title for car ownership after purchasing or acquiring a vehicle from a private party or relative, a vehicle owner must visit his or her county treasurer’s office to complete the process in person. To obtain a certificate of title (also known as a pink slip) after purchasing a car from a motor vehicle dealership, a driver does not need to visit a county treasurer’s office, as the dealer generally completes and submits the titling paperwork on behalf of the buyer.

However, a car owner must confirm this with the dealer before leaving. If the dealership cannot submit the auto title paperwork for any reason, the motorist must visit a county treasurer’s office to complete the process on his or her own.

Note: You must apply for a Kansas car title at a treasurer’s office for the county in which you plan to garage your vehicle.

The Kansas Auto Title Application

When applying for a new car title in Kansas, vehicle owners may complete a Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a) to title and register a new or used vehicle at the same time, or they may complete the two transactions separately. When completing the title application for car ownership, drivers must provide the following information:

• The vehicle’s license plate number and decal number.
• The vehicle’s registration expiration date.
• The names and addresses of all vehicle owners.
• The vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model, style, mileage and purchase date.
• The vehicle’s empty weight and gross weight.

To get car titles and license plates at the same time, motorists must complete the plate transfer section at the bottom of the certificate of car title application.

In order to get a KS car title certificate without registering a vehicle at the same time, vehicle owners do not need to complete Form TR-212a. Instead, applicants who wish to get a new car title must write the following information on the back of the vehicle’s current title certificate, if a paper auto title is available:

• The vehicle’s purchase price and date of sale
• The vehicle’s odometer reading
• The names and signatures of the seller(s) and buyer(s)

If necessary, the seller must complete a Power of Attorney (Form TR-41) as well.

Documents You Must Provide When Applying for a New Car Title in Kansas

In addition to completing an application for a certificate of KS car title (if applicable), car owners must submit the following documentation when applying for a new or used car title certificate:

• The vehicle title or a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
• Proof of current auto insurance.
• Receipt of sales tax and property tax.
• Proof of completing a Motor Vehicle Examination (Form MVE-1) or an application for an Out-of-State Verification (Form TR-65), if applicable. In most cases, drivers must complete a vehicle examination on a bill of sale if they purchase a vehicle from out-of-state.

To get a Kansas car title, vehicle owners must submit the above documentation to their county treasurer’s office. Drivers generally get a new car title within 10 to 40 days of submitting the title application. If there is a lien on the vehicle, however, the state does not issue a physical copy of the title. Instead, the state holds the DMV car title electronically until there are no further liens on the vehicle.

Note: When getting car title certificates and license plates at the same time, applicants must include the vehicle’s current registration receipt (or the automobile’s license plate number if the registration receipt is unavailable).

What is a Kansas car registration?

After purchasing or acquiring a vehicle, motorists must obtain KS vehicle registration documentation in addition to applying for a title certificate. Like a title, drivers need to obtain car registration documentation to legally drive a new or used vehicle after acquiring it. New car registration documentation allows drivers to lawfully operate a vehicle on public roadways, since registration includes the issuance of license plates.

What is the difference between a car title and a vehicle registration in Kansas?

The main difference between auto registration documents and titles is that a title acts as legal proof of vehicle ownership. On the other hand, a DMV car registration certificate shows that a vehicle meets state registration prerequisites, including the payment of registration taxes and fees.

Vehicle owners need to obtain motor vehicle registration materials before they may legally drive a vehicle on state roads. Even though drivers need to get car registration certificates and titles before driving a new vehicle, the two documents serve different purposes and are not identical to one another.

However, drivers may get Kansas car registration documentation when they apply for a title if they complete a Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a) and submit the vehicle’s current car registration certificate along with proof of completing a vehicle inspection, if applicable. Drivers must bring their vehicle in for an inspection if they purchase or acquire a vehicle from out-of-state.

Drivers may apply for a title without obtaining car registration materials, but they cannot legally drive the vehicle throughout the state until they complete the new KS car registration process as well.

Car Title Costs in Kansas

The Kansas car title cost for issuing a brand-new credential is $10.

California Privacy R. Request

California Opt-Out