Kansas
Title Fee
$10.00
Sales Tax Rate
6.5%
Other Tax Rate
3.50%
Who must title a vehicle in Kansas?
Most motor vehicles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, recreational vehicles, and trailers must be titled.
Exempt: Trailers ≤2,000 lbs. (owner’s option), vessels, snowmobiles, golf carts, farm tractors, farm trailers ≤6,000 lbs., road machinery, concrete pumpers, self-propelled cranes/earthmovers, and some nonhighway vehicles.
Manufactured homes must be titled unless considered real property.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (Titles and Registration Bureau) via local County Treasurer in county of residence.
Application (TR-212 for vehicles, TR-212b for manufactured/mobile homes).
Fee: $10.00.
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO); out-of-state: add sales contract.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title and bill of sale.
Non-title states: Current valid registration and bill of sale.
Government surplus: SF97-1.
Foreign vehicles: Foreign ownership docs, EPA and DOT compliance, NHTSA HS-7, CBP 7501, etc.
How are special titles or brands handled?
Ownership Affidavit (TR-90) for untitled/antique vehicles, etc.; court order required if seller can’t be located.
Non-Negotiable Title: For fleet vehicles with out-of-state titles.
Export Certificate of Title: For vehicles sold to foreign dealers.
Brands: Kit, Reconstructed, Rebuilt Salvage, Salvage, Antique, Non-Highway, Recreational Vehicle, Replacement. Out-of-state brands are carried forward.
Salvage: Required for late-model vehicles if repair cost ≥75% of value or insurer declares total loss; nonrepairable vehicles get nonrepairable certificate (cannot be retitled).
Rebuilt: Salvage vehicles must be inspected (MVE-1) by Highway Patrol and submitted for rebuilt title.
Junk: Junking certificate issued for non-repairable vehicles, must be surrendered if crushed/dismantled.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Replacement Title: TR-720B to County Treasurer or Titles Bureau; $10.00 fee.
Corrected Title: $10.00 fee; no fee if departmental error.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN/HIN inspection required for certain vehicles/trailers, rebuilt vehicles, out-of-state purchases, etc. ($20.00 VIN inspection, $25.00 for rebuilt salvage).
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Yes, for applications and lien filings.
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Sales/Use Tax: 6.5% state rate + local taxes on actual selling price (FMV if unknown).
Trade-in credit: Allowed for motor vehicles/trailers titled in purchaser’s name; credit for sale within 120 days before/after purchase.
Credit for taxes paid to another state: Allowed (with exceptions).
Exemptions: Nonresident purchases (vehicle removed within 10 days), new residents (vehicle used outside KS ≥6 months), family transfers, gifts, interstate rolling stock, farm/ranch equipment, and more.
Other taxes/fees:
Personal Property Tax: Paid annually on most vehicles/vessels; minimum $24 ($12 for motorcycles). Commercial vehicles pay annual commercial vehicle fee instead.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
Vehicle Rental Excise Tax: 3.5% for rentals ≤28 days.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
File Notice of Security Interest (TR-730) within 30 days of purchase ($2.50 fee); may be filed online (E-Lien System).
Lien shown electronically and on registration; paper title not issued if a lien exists.
To add a lien, submit TR-720B and current registration; $11.50 fee.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lienholder must release lien within 3 business days of payment by cash/wire; 10 business days by other means.
Release can be notarized on title or separate TR-150; electronic liens released via E-Lien System.
Assignment: New lienholder listed after release; refinancing requires TR-720R.
How does repossession work in Kansas?
Lienholder must give debtor 20 days’ notice of right to cure default before repossession.
Lienholder must obtain a Repossession Title before transferring to new owner (TR-212, TR-84, security agreement, title, $10 title fee + $3 repo fee).
Out-of-state: VIN inspection (MVE-1) required unless vehicle stays out of state.
Other notes:
Mechanic’s/possessory liens require notice to owner/lienholder, public auction, and affidavit of sale (TR-96m/ TR-85).
ELT (Electronic Lien & Title) program:
E-Lien System for lenders/dealers; all liens and titles managed electronically.
Department of Revenue
Titles and Registration Bureau
300 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611
PO Box 2505, Topeka, KS 66601-2505
785.296.3621 or fax 785.296.2383
Enforcement Agency:
Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles300 SW 29th St, Topeka, KS 66611
PO Box 2505, Topeka, KS 66601-2505
785.296.3621 | KDOR_tr@ks.gov
Kansas DOR Titles & Registration
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
Kansas Highway Patrol: 122 SW 7th St, Topeka, KS 66603, 785.296.6800
Key Regulations:
DOR and County Treasurers manage titling, registration, tax collection, liens, and repossession.
Insurance required: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 liability, $25,000/$50,000 uninsured/underinsured, PIP coverage.
No emission or annual safety inspection required.
One plate issued; transferable to replacement vehicle.
Title records kept as long as active; registration records 3 years.