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The state of Alaska requires its residents to register their vehicles with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Alaska residents can register their vehicle in person or by mail if they meet certain criteria. Registering an Alaska vehicle by phone or online is not an option.

How to Register a Vehicle in Alaska

Residents who are new to Alaska and live over 50 miles from an AK DMV location, can complete their vehicle registration process by mail. Alaskan residents who do not live 50 miles away from an Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles location are required to register their vehicle in person.

New Residents & Visitors

New Alaska residents are required to title and register their vehicle in person at the Alaska DMV office 10 days after they establish residency or employment in the state of Alaska.

Individuals who are visiting Alaska are allowed to operate their vehicle in Alaska for no more than 60 days with a current out-of-state car registration.

New Alaska residents who need to register their vehicle can visit their vehicle can visit their local AL DMV office and provide:

  • The vehicle’s title
    • If there is currently a lien against the vehicle and the title is held outside of the state of Alaska, individuals need to submit a photocopy of the title.
    • The Alaska DMV will issue a registration only for transportation that have titles that are held outside the state.
  • Complete an Application for Title and Registration (Form 812)
  • If a vehicle is leased, individuals need to provide a notarized power of attorney. Individuals who are signing on behalf of the vehicle owner will also need to provide a notarized power of attorney.
  • Have a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection performed by an Alaska DMV-approved inspector
  • Provide payment for all titling and registration fees and taxes (see Alaska Registration Fees and Penalties” section below)

Registering a Vehicle in Alaska

Once an Alaska resident purchased a vehicle, they are required to register it in person at the Alaska DMV within 30 days of the purchase. AK residents are not permitted to request an Alaska vehicle title through the mail.

As of January, 15, 2004, Alaska residents over the age of 65 and/or residents of Alaska who are disabled will receive their permanent license plate stickers, tabs, and vehicle registration.

Vehicles Purchased from a Dealer in Alaska

Individuals who purchase a vehicle from a car dealership in Alaska usually do not have to worry about submitting the necessary documentation because the dealer handles the paperwork.

If the dealership does not provide Alaska DMV with the proper documents, or the dealership is located in a state other than Alaska, individuals need to appear in person at their local DMV office and present:

  • A completed Application for Title and Registration (Form 812)
  • A signed Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin or vehicle title

Individuals should also have a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection from a DMV-approved inspector, if applicable.

All payments for applicable title and registration fees and taxes must be paid-in-full.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party in Alaska

Individuals who purchase a vehicle from a private party must have the seller sign over the title in the new owner’s name before the vehicle can be titled and registered with the AL DMV. Alaska residents must go to their local DMV office and provide:

  • A completed Application for Title and Registration (Form 812)
  • The signed vehicle title, and the follow documents, if applicable:
    • An odometer disclosure statement
    • Notarized power of attorney
    • A lien release
  • The previous registration
  • A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection from a DMV-approved inspector
  • Payment for all applicable fees for titling and registering the vehicle

Specifically for Remote Locations in Alaska

Alaska residents who live more than 50 miles from an AK DMV office are allowed to send their Alaska car registration documents by mail.

Residents of Alaska who have an AK DMV nearby and mail in their documents will have the documents returned, and they must appear in person to title and register their vehicle.

AK residents who live over 50 miles from an Alaska DMV office can mail in their documentation by mail by submitting:

  • A completed Application for Registration (Form 812)
  • Valid proof of ownership, such as:
    • The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (only if the vehicle was purchased from a dealership.)
  • Previous registration
  • One or both of the following (if applicable):
    • An odometer disclosure statement
    • Lienholder information
  • A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection that is performed by an Alaska DMV-approved inspector
  • Payment for all applicable title and registration fees for the vehicle

Alaska residents who are allowed to mail in their titling and registration documents can send their documentation to:

State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: CORRESPONDENCE
3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503

For information about Alaska license plates, visit the AK DMV.

Vehicle Registration Fees and Penalties in Alaska

Transportation fees in Alaska vary by the type of vehicle. Below are the associated registration fees by vehicle type:

  • Passenger car: $100
  • Van or truck that weighs less than 10,000 lbs: $100
  • Motorcycle: $60
  • Title fee (if applicable): $15
  • Lien recording: $15
  • Plate transfer: $5
  • Duplicate registration: $2
  • Duplicate title: $15
  • Duplicate license plate: $5

Some Alaska boroughs/municipalities charge a motor vehicle registration tax (MVRT).

Registering a Motorcycle in Alaska

For individuals who plan on riding a motorcycle in Alaska there are steps that need to be taken to remain compliant with the laws in the state of Alabama.

New Residents of Alaska

Once an individual establishes residency in Alaska, they have 10 days to register their motorcycle with the AK DMV. New Alaska residents can visit their local Alaska DMV office and submit:

  • A completed Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812)
  • Current Out-of-State motorcycle registration
  • The motorcycle title
    • Motorcycles that were leased in another state require:
      • A photocopy of the title from the lienholder
      • Notarized power of attorney
  • Proof of a valid Alaska motorcycle insurance policy
  • The base registration fee of $60 plus any other applicable fees.

Registering a Motorcycle in Alaska That is Purchased from a Dealership

The AK Division of Motor Vehicles gives Alaska residents 30 days of the purchase date of a motorcycle to register and title this vehicle. In the state of Alaska, motorcycle registrations are valid for 2 years.

In Alaska, most motorcycle dealerships take care of the registration process, but individuals who purchase a motorcycle outside the state of Alaska, or the dealership does not register the motorcycle, Alaska residents need to visit their local AK DMV and submit:

  • A valid Alaska motorcycle license
  • A completed Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812)
  • The signed Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) or title
  • Proof of a valid Alaska motorcycle insurance policy
  • Payment for the base registration fee of $60 and any other applicable fees

Alaska residents can check with the AK DMV to learn more about title transfers in the state of Alaska.

Registering a Motorcycle That is Purchased from a Private Seller

  • The signed and completed motorcycle title and an odometer disclosure
    • If the odometer disclosure is not on the title, AK residents need to submit an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 839) with the motorcycle title
  • The current registration for the motorcycle
  • A complete Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812)
  • The individual’s valid AK motorcycle license
  • Proof of an active AK motorcycle insurance policy
  • Payment for the base registration fee of $60 and any other applicable fees

Motorcycle Registration Fees and Taxes in Alaska

Alaska residents may be required to pay additional taxes and fees when they register their motorcycle with the Alaska DMV, including:

  • Motorcycle registration: $60
  • Lien recording: $15
  • Specialty plate transfer: $5
  • Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT)

Registering a Boat in Alaska

  • Powered boats
  • Non-powered boats that feature auxiliary power units

The state waters of Alaska include all streams and lakes, rivers, streams, and salt water that is within 3 miles of land.

Alaska Vessel Registration Exemptions

The following vessels/watercraft are exempt from AK boat registration:

  • Non-boat water transportation, such as:
    • Ships’ lifeboats
    • Seaplanes
    • Water toys, such as inner tubes
  • Non-powered boats
  • Documented boats
  • Boats that are owned by all government agencies, such as federal, state, and local governments.
  • Boats that have valid registration from a different state or country that is not operated over 90 consecutive days in the state of Alaska.

Boat Requirements in Alaska

AK residents that have vessels that require registration in the state of Alaska can visit their local AK DMV office and present:

  • A completed Boat Registration Application (Form B1)
  • Provide proof of ownership of the vessel by showing one of the following:
    • Manufacturer’s State of Origin (MSO)
    • Carpenter’s Certificate
    • Bill of Sale (can be received from the dealer or previous owner)
    • Title/registration from the previous state

Once Alaska residents register their boat, they will receive a certificate number from the AK DMV. The certificate number should be on the boat when the boat is in operation. Boat registration is valid for 3 years in the state of Alaska.

Alaska Boat Registration Fees

Residents of Alaska that wish to register their boats need to pay the following registration fees:

  • Powered boats: $24
  • Non-powered boats: $10
  • Replacement of Certificate Number of Validation Sticker: $5

AK residents can renew their registration in person, online or by mail. Individuals can learn about boat registration renewals on the AK DMV website.

Accepted Forms of Payment

The Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles accepts the following forms of payments:

  • Cash
  • Money order
  • Personal check
  • Bank check
  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • Discover

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