What to Do If You Have Not Received Your Registration Sticker in Missouri
If your Missouri registration sticker is not received, then it is important to examine whether or not your registration request was fully processed as well as why you may not have received it. A DOR registration sticker may be missing for a number of reasons, including a change of address, technical difficulties, postage and human error. By better understanding how your registration may have been lost, you may be able to prevent a second occurrence. For example, if your registration did not arrive due to a change in your address, then it is important to inform the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) of your address change prior to requesting a replacement registration.
While you cannot replace a sticker online in Missouri, you do have the option of requesting a replacement by mail or by visiting a DOR office in person. However, there are certain requirements that you must first meet in order to complete your request, such as filing a police report beforehand.
Common Reasons for a Registration Sticker Not Being Received in Missouri
If your DOR sticker is not received, then it is important that you examine why you may not have received your documents. One of the most common reasons for a registration sticker not received by motorists is due to an unreported change of address. If you have recently changed your residential address, then it is important that you inform the Missouri DOR prior to making any requests for registration, including replacements and renewals. Should you request a car plate sticker renewal, but fail to update the Missouri DOR of your current address, you will likely not receive the documents. Contrary to the myths you may have heard, the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not forward state mail.
In the case of a license plate sticker not received, it is important to also verify with the DOR by phone or in person that you request for registration was processed. Human and technical errors can prevent a registration application from being fully processed. Finally, while uncommon, a DOR sticker not received may have been lost in the mail.
Can I legally drive if my Missouri registration sticker was not received?
If your DOR registration sticker is not received, then it is important to be aware of Missouri law regarding registration tags. In Missouri, you may not legally operate a motor vehicle that does not have valid registration tags displayed on the vehicle’s license plate. Therefore, a DOR registration sticker not received requires you to request and receive replacement registration tabs before operating the vehicle.
Additional Consequences of a Car Sticker Not Received in Missouri
Driving a vehicle without a car tag sticker is against Missouri law, as motorists are required to obtain registration and display proof of that registration on their license plate. Should you choose to disregard this law because of a license sticker not received after initial registration or after registration renewal, you run the risk of being stopped by law enforcement officials. Without registration tags, you could be issued a citation or potentially have your vehicle impounded.
Steps to Take if Your Missouri DOR Sticker Was Not Received
If a license sticker is not received, it is important that you contact the Missouri DOR in order to verify if your request for registration, renewal or replacement was ever fully processed. You can do this over the phone or in person, so long as you can provide your vehicle’s registration number or license plate number. If it was not processed, you will need to request a replacement right away. If it was processed, then it is important to ask the DOR what address it has on file in order to ensure it has your correct residential address.
Before ordering a DOR sticker replacement, you will be required to file a report with law enforcement if there is any chance that your registration may have been stolen. This report will be required when submitting a replacement request, depending on the circumstances regarding your lost registration.
Where to Get Registration Sticker Replacements in Missouri
You cannot request a registration sticker online within the state of Missouri. Likewise, there is no way to replace sticker online. However, you are able to submit your request by mail or in person at your local MO DOR.
If your car sticker is not received, then you can complete an application for a duplicate registration and submit your request by mail. If your lost registration may be due to theft, then you will be required to include a copy of your police report alongside the application and appropriate payment. However, it is worth knowing that mailed in requests will take longer to process due to postage time.
In Missouri, you are not legally permitted to operate a vehicle that does not display registration tags on the license plate of the vehicle. Therefore, if you need to replace sticker tags sooner, then it is recommended that you visit your local MO DOR. While you will still need to provide a copy of a police report, if applicable, same day duplicate registrations can be issued at the DOR. This will allow you to quickly obtain a replacement.
You can obtain up to two replacement tabs per year at no cost if your tabs have been stolen. You will need to submit an application, though, and pay a $3.50 processing fee.
Missouri Registration Sticker Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- How to Replace Stolen Plates and Tabs from https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/tabtheft.php