Transferring Plates After Moving in North Dakota

When you move to North Dakota, you must transfer your vehicle plates to the state within 90 days of establishing residency, as required by the NDDOT. This process ensures your vehicle is legally registered and you are compliant with North Dakota’s vehicle registration laws.

When You Need to Transfer Plates

You need to transfer your out-of-state plates when:

• You have established residency (employment, property ownership, or enrollment of children in ND schools).
• You have a vehicle titled in your name with out-of-state plates.
• You intend to operate the vehicle in North Dakota.

If you purchased a vehicle out-of-state before moving, you must first title the vehicle in North Dakota before transferring plates.

Required Documents for Plate Transfer

To transfer your plates, bring the following to your local ND Motor Vehicle Office:

• Current out-of-state vehicle title and registration
• North Dakota Driver’s License or ND state-issued ID
• Proof of North Dakota insurance meeting minimum liability requirements
• Completed Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Vehicle (SFN 2872)
• Payment for applicable title and registration fees

Plate Transfer Fees

The exact fees vary based on the vehicle’s weight and year. You can check estimated fees on the NDDOT fee estimator to prepare for your transfer.

For a full breakdown of potential costs, see North Dakota DMV Fees Overview.

Where to Complete the Transfer

You can complete your plate transfer at your nearest North Dakota DMV location. Use Finding North Dakota DMV Office Locations to locate the closest office and consider Booking an Appointment at ND DMV to save time during your visit.

Additional Considerations

If you need to update your address while transferring plates, you can complete your address update during the same visit. See Updating Your Address with ND DMV for details.

Ensure your insurance is updated with your North Dakota address before visiting the DMV, as you will need to show proof of valid ND insurance to complete the plate transfer.

What Happens After Transfer

After completing the process, you will receive your North Dakota plates and registration. Affix your new plates immediately to avoid penalties, and carry your updated registration in your vehicle at all times.

If you purchased your vehicle while moving to North Dakota, review Registering a New Vehicle in North Dakota to understand the new registration steps before plate transfer.

Transferring your plates after moving to North Dakota ensures you remain compliant with state laws while keeping your vehicle registration current as you settle into your new home.