To register a vehicle in the District, at least one registered vehicle owner must be a District resident. Only the District resident(s) will be listed on the vehicle registration.
DC DMV's Document Verification Guide can help you determine what documents you must collect and bring to the DC DMV service center.
To register a vehicle in the District of Columbia, you must have a valid DC DMV credential.
Required Documents
- Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application (complete with appropriate signatures)
- Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO) or Title
- Title Reassignment Form (if applicable)
- Vehicle Power of Attorney*
- Odometer Mileage Verification
- Bill of Sale
- Lienholder Financial Contract (if applicable)
- Proof of valid DC Insurance
- DC DMV Vehicle Inspection Certificate (if applicable)
- Lease Contract (if applicable) – both lessor and lessee must provide proof of identification
- Proof of Identification - copy of owner(s) DC driver license or non-driver identification card.
- If owner is a business, the following documents are required:
- Copies of the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DC DLCP) Business License and
- DC Deparment of Buildings (DC DOB) Certificate of Occupancy (note: if the DC business is leasing the premises, it must also present copies of the landlord's DC Certificate of Occupancy and the executed lease agreement between the business and its landlord.)
- Check or money order made payable to DC Treasurer
- Title and registration fees
*If you do not own the vehicle and you are registering it for the owner(s), you must have:
- A Vehicle Power of Attorney
- A copy of the vehicle owner(s) DC DMV credential
- Your valid DC DMV credential or out-of-state credential