NEW MEXICO TITLE & REGISTRATION

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING FOR YOUR NEW MEXICO TITLE & REGISTRATION

New Mexico requires more than just cars and trucks to be titled. The full list of vehicles that must have a certificate of title includes cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs and motorhomes, motorboats, buses, manufactured or mobile homes, ATVs, dune buggies, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and trailers.

Keep in mind that New Mexico gives you a 90-day window from the day of purchase to title your vehicle. A tax penalty will be imposed if you go over those 90 days. Your excise tax rate will increase from 4% to 6%. We encourage you to title your vehicle within the given timeframe so that you do not have to pay an extra 50% in tax penalties. Save your hard-earned money!

Your vehicle title and registration transaction can not be processed if you do not have the most current title in hand. Please make sure that you receive your New Mexico title when you purchase your vehicle. The only time when you will not receive a title is if you finance your vehicle through a dealership or financial institution. In those cases, the dealership or financial institution will handle the title and registration process, and they will mail you your license plate. You then receive your title when you pay off the vehicle. 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEW MEXICO TITLE & REGISTRATION – USED VEHICLES

In most circumstances, these are the documents that are required when titling and registering a New Mexico vehicle. Please read the description for every document, as it might not apply to your scenario.

• One (1) valid Driver’s License or ID for each person that will be on the title
• Two (2) Proofs of New Mexico Residency if the Driver’s License or ID of the primary owner is not from New Mexico or has the incorrect address on their NM credential│ View list of acceptable NM residency documents
• One (1) New Mexico Vehicle Title – we recommend bringing the title untouched and filling out a NM Bill of Sale between the buyer and seller.
• One (1) NM Bill of Sale – completely filled out by the buyer and seller if the title was not completed │ Download NM Bill of Sale here
• One (1) Passed Emissions Certificate – for all 35-year-old and newer motor vehicles in Bernalillo County Only. Diesel and Fully-Electric vehicles are exempt.
• One (1) Proof of Insurance – we can accept an auto insurance card, a copy of your current auto insurance policy, or a letter from your auto insurance company (on company letterhead) that verifies your auto insurance coverage.

NEW MEXICO TITLE & REGISTRATION FOR NEW VEHICLES

If you’re reading this section… congratulations on your new purchase!!! When you finance a new vehicle directly from a dealership, they will usually handle the title and registration process for you. They apply a “title and registration” or “documentation” fee to your purchase total.

If you purchase your new vehicle in full from a dealership, they will give you the option to title and register yourself, or they will offer to do it for you. To some, this convenience is worth the extra fee, but keep in mind that most dealerships overcharge around $200 to perform this service. We can help you save those $200 dollars and walk you through the process. Here are the documents needed to title and register a brand-new vehicle.

• One (1) valid Driver’s License or ID for each person that will be on the title
• Two (2) Proofs of New Mexico Residency if the Driver’s License or ID of the primary owner is not from New Mexico or has the incorrect address on their NM credential │ View list of acceptable NM residency documents
• One (1) Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
• One (1) Vehicle Purchase Agreement
• One (1) Odometer Disclosure Statement – dealerships usually fill this out on the MCO or provide you with this document.
• One (1) Proof of Insurance – we can accept an auto insurance card, a copy of your current auto insurance policy, or a letter from your auto insurance company (on company letterhead) that verifies your auto insurance coverage.

NEW MEXICO TITLE & REGISTRATION FOR VEHICLES THAT DO NOT HAVE A TITLE

We do not recommend purchasing a vehicle if the seller can not provide you a title. If you have already purchased a vehicle without a title, there is a solution. New Mexico offers a title and registration service specifically for these scenarios, and it is called the General Surety, Indemnity, or Certificate of Title Bond.

This process requires you to follow a specific checklist and acquire certain vehicle documents. It can be overwhelming, but MVD Now can help you with your bond process. Feel free to call us, email us, or visit any of our 7 offices to obtain this checklist. We are more than happy to assist you in this process.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT MVD NOW

Here at MVD Now, we want to make your MVD visit as seamless as possible. Walk-ins are welcome, but we encourage you to schedule an appointment so you can guarantee zero wait time. There are two ways you can schedule an appointment. You can call us at 505-341-2MVD and we can schedule your appointment and also verify your documents over the phone. You also have the option of scheduling your own appointment through our online scheduler. If you schedule online, one of our MVD agents will call you to verify your documents before your appointment date. This will ensure that you bring all the necessary documents and prevents the dreaded “multiple trip” headache.

When you arrive at any of our offices, you will be greeted by a friendly MVD agent at the front door. They will help you check in for your appointment, verify your documents, and answer any questions that you may have. One of our other MVD agents will promptly assist you and process your transaction. Once completed, we collect payment and you are on your way! MVD Now also partners with local charities throughout the year. Currently, we are working with Make-A-Wish New Mexico. You have the option of rounding your MVD total to the nearest dollar or donating any other amount to this great foundation. Our goal is to deliver the most secure, efficient, professional, and friendly MVD services in town.