Change Information on Vehicle Registration in South Dakota

Vehicle registration information in South Dakota is administered by the South Dakota Department of Revenue through its Motor Vehicle Division, with local filing conducted at the county treasurer's office in the county of residence. Registration and title records may require updating after a change of address, a legal name change, the correction of an error, a vehicle purchase or transfer, or moving into the state.

South Dakota Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

A registration review may be required when any of the following events occur:

A physical or mailing address has changed and must be recorded in the customer record before the next renewal.
A legal name has changed, because the full legal name shown on the title and the registration must match the name on the owner's identification document.
The title or the registration contains incorrect information that must be corrected.
A vehicle has been purchased or otherwise acquired, which requires title and registration within 45 days of the acquisition date.
The owner has moved into South Dakota with a vehicle titled and licensed in another state, which must be titled and licensed in South Dakota within 90 days of arrival.
A license plate must be renewed or transferred following the sale of a vehicle, and a seller's permit is required in a private sale during the period between purchase and transfer.

Where to File a South Dakota Vehicle Registration Change

South Dakota does not operate local DMV field offices; routine registration and title transactions are completed through the local county treasurer's office, which serves as the vehicle licensing agent in each county. Many transactions, including registration renewal, address updates, reporting a vehicle sale, and issuing a seller's permit, are also completed online through the Vehicle Registration and Plates portal, which requires a valid South Dakota driver's license or identification card.

Title records are maintained by the Motor Vehicle Division in Pierre. Correction documents, duplicate titles, and other title filings are processed by the county treasurer's office and forwarded to the Division of Motor Vehicles for issuance, so both the title and registration records are addressed through a single local filing point.

South Dakota Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

An address change must be recorded before a registration renewal can be processed. The change may be made online through the Vehicle Registration and Plates portal or in person at the county treasurer's office. The state-level portal allows owners to review vehicle records and update the address on file, while the county treasurer processes address changes in person and completes renewals by mail, in person, or through DMV Now self-service kiosks. Renewal notices are issued to the address on record, and the registrant remains responsible for timely renewal regardless of whether the notice is received.

South Dakota Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change affects both the title record and the registration record. Administrative Rule 64:28:01:03 requires all owners to provide their full legal name, including middle name, on a vehicle title application, and the name must match the name on each owner's identification document. The application must be signed by the record owner, or by an authorized agent with a Power of Attorney attached to verify the appointment.

Owners update the name on existing vehicle records by completing the Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration at the county treasurer's office. When a title has been altered or corrected during a transfer or sale, both the buyer or transferee and the seller or transferor must submit an affidavit with the title application under Administrative Rule 64:28. Because the title and the registration must reflect the same legal name, a name change is generally resolved through a title transaction, even when the registration record is the visible change.

Correcting Incorrect Information on a South Dakota Registration Record

There is a distinction between correcting the registration record and the title record. Registration record corrections, such as an address or a contact detail, are made through the county treasurer's office or the online portal before renewal. Title record corrections are made by completing the Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration at the county treasurer's office, with a supporting affidavit filed where the correction accompanies a transfer.

When a previously issued paper title has been lost or misplaced, a duplicate title application is submitted to obtain a replacement document. A $10 duplicate title fee applies, and a $2 technology fee is added to title transactions effective July 1, 2025. Replacement registration credentials and license plates are issued through the county treasurer's office in either case.

South Dakota Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

The following official deadlines and consequences apply:

A newly acquired vehicle must be titled and registered within 45 days of the purchase date.
A vehicle brought into South Dakota from another state must be titled and licensed within 90 days of the date the owner arrives in the state, subject to reciprocity for taxes paid in the previous jurisdiction.
Interest accrues on the motor vehicle excise tax for an application made after 45 days, with a minimum of $5 due for the first month, and 1% per month thereafter.
A one-time penalty equal to 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater, applies to an application made more than 60 days after the purchase date.
A late title application penalty of $1 per week applies after the 45-day grace period, up to a $50 maximum.
South Dakota law requires an owner's policy of liability insurance for a motor vehicle licensed and operated in the state, and failure to maintain the required coverage may lead to the suspension of the vehicle's registration under SDCL 32-35-113.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in South Dakota?

Registration Change or Service	Fee
Duplicate/replacement title for a lost, misplaced, or damaged title	$10 (A Guide for Buyers and Sellers)
Vehicle purchase	$10 title fee + 4% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price, plus registration fees that vary by vehicle weight and year, plus county wheel tax (Cars, Trucks & Vans; A Guide for Buyers and Sellers)
New state residency	$10 title fee + 4% motor vehicle excise tax, plus registration fees that vary by weight and year, with titling and licensing due within 90 days of arrival and tax reciprocity if the prior state's tax rate was higher (Motor Vehicle; Cars, Trucks & Vans)

Contact Information

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
445 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3541
Official Website: South Dakota Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division