Out-of-State Tag & Title FAQ
Purchasing a vehicle from out of state often requires additional paperwork, processing time, and coordination with your home state’s motor vehicle agency. Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible while setting clear expectations about timing, documentation, fees, and registration requirements.
Processing times vary by state and by transaction.
Many transactions are completed well before this, but out-of-state tag and title processing may take up to 120 days depending on the circumstances.
Processing time can be affected by:
- Your state’s DMV or motor vehicle agency
- State-specific documentation requirements
- Lienholder requirements
- VIN verification or inspections
- Emissions or safety inspection requirements
- Tax and registration calculations
- Additional documentation requested after the sale
- Third-party tag and title processing
- Mail and government processing times
A delay does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your transaction.
For vehicles that we are responsible for registering, our dealership coordinates the tag and title process with the appropriate state agencies and processing partners.
For new vehicle purchases, it is our responsibility to complete the required title and registration process when the vehicle is being registered as part of the transaction.
Because every state has different requirements, we may use a third-party tag and title service to assist with out-of-state registration.
Yes.
We may use an outside tag and title processing service to help complete registrations in other states. These companies help coordinate with state DMVs, local agencies, lienholders, and other parties involved in the registration process.
Additional third-party processing, courier, state, local, or registration-related fees may apply depending on your state and transaction.
If additional amounts are required to complete your registration, we may contact you after the sale.
Yes.
We make every reasonable effort to estimate your taxes, title fees, registration fees, and other governmental charges correctly at the time of sale.
However, state and local registration requirements can vary significantly, and the final amount charged by your registering jurisdiction may be different from the original estimate.
If additional taxes, title fees, registration fees, third-party processing fees, inspection fees, or other required charges apply, you may be responsible for the additional amount.
If an adjustment or refund is due based on the final registration costs, it will be handled in accordance with the final charges and the terms of your transaction.
Out-of-state transactions sometimes require additional information after the vehicle has been delivered.
Our Accounting or Tag & Title team may contact you for items such as:
- Additional signatures
- Proof of residency
- Proof of insurance
- Driver’s license documentation
- State-specific forms
- Power of attorney forms
- VIN verification
- Emissions or safety inspection documents
- Lienholder information
- Tax documentation
- Additional registration fees
Please respond promptly to any request for information. Missing documents can significantly delay registration.
Our Accounting and Tag & Title departments process transactions according to an established schedule and workflow.
Out-of-state transactions frequently require additional research, state-specific forms, third-party processing, or communication with outside agencies before they can be submitted.
Because of this, your registration may not be submitted or completed immediately after the vehicle sale.
If your permanent registration has not been completed before your temporary registration expires, please contact us.
When permitted by applicable law, we will work with you to obtain or extend temporary registration documentation while your permanent registration remains in process.
Temporary tag availability, duration, and extensions are controlled by applicable state law and DMV requirements. We cannot guarantee that an additional temporary registration can be issued in every situation.
Yes.
Out-of-state registration is often more complicated than an in-state transaction.
Different states may require additional documents, inspections, original signatures, tax verification, lienholder information, or manual review.
For that reason, customers should understand that delays are normal and should allow up to 120 days for completion in more complicated circumstances.
Possibly.
Certain states require the customer to complete additional steps before registration can be finalized, including:
- State safety inspections
- Emissions testing
- VIN inspections
- Identity verification
- Proof of residency
- Insurance verification
If your state requires you to complete one of these steps, our team will provide instructions when we become aware of the requirement.
Please make sure:
- Your legal name is correct on all purchase documents.
- Your registration address is accurate.
- Your driver’s license information is current.
- Your insurance information is accurate.
- Your lienholder information is correct.
- You respond quickly to requests from our Accounting or Tag & Title department.
- You complete any required inspections or VIN verifications promptly.
- You notify us immediately if your address or registration information changes.
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By purchasing a vehicle that will be titled or registered outside of Virginia, customers should understand that registration requirements, processing times, government fees, inspections, and documentation requirements are determined by the state in which the vehicle will be registered.
We will make every reasonable effort to complete the transaction promptly and accurately, but some portions of the process are dependent upon third-party processors, government agencies, lienholders, and other outside parties.
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