A Simple Overview of Wisconsin Vehicle Registration Title Basics

Written By Emma Frost

Published on April 14, 2022

What is a vehicle title? It is simply an official document that declares you legally own your vehicle. All Wisconsin residents must have a Wisconsin vehicle registration title in order to legally drive their vehicles in the state.

If you just bought a car or are new to Wisconsin, this quick guide will give you all the information you need to sort your registration title out.

What Is a Vehicle Title?

What is a vehicle title? Well, a registration title is an official document that proves legal ownership of a vehicle. It is issued by the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You need to have a current title to legally own any car, truck, trailer, motorcycle, van, moped, bus, or another low-speed vehicle.

Whether you are a new Wisconsin resident or have just bought a new car, you will need to get a title with the DMV. Title and registration certificates are typically good for one year.

What If You Have an Out of State Vehicle Registration Title?

You must have a Wisconsin vehicle registration title if you are living in Wisconsin. Once you have established residency, it is your responsibility to get your title from the DMV. You can do this by visiting a DMV location in person or applying through the mail.

Applying In Person

If you have just moved to Wisconsin and you want to apply in person, you need to bring the current out-of-state title and registration to the DMV. If this is no longer available to you then you must do the following:

Bring a completed title/license plate application
Bring proof of identification
Bring proof of sales tax paid to the prior state, if you have owned the vehicle for less than 3 months
Bring payment for the registration and title fees, as well as relevant county wheel tax

Applying By Mail

Wisconsin residents can apply for their title and registration by mail, but this can take several weeks to complete. If your current out-of-state plate is about to expire, it is best to apply for a new one in person.

To do this, simply fill out the title/license plate application and mail it to the address on the form, along with proper payment. It is best to pay for this with a check or a money order.

Temporary Registration Title

If you are waiting for your permanent registration title to arrive, you also can apply for a temporary 3-month registration title. To do this you should bring your application and proof of payment to the DMV.

If you are an out-of-state resident buying a vehicle in Wisconsin, you can apply for a temporary title and registration so that you can legally drive the vehicle back to your home state. These temporary registrations are usually around $3 but you might also have to pay a $5 service fee.

Getting Help with Wisconsin Auto Title Loans, Inc.

Now that you know what a vehicle title is, you should know that another benefit of obtaining a title is having the option to get cash for that vehicle title.

With Wisconsin Auto Title Loans, Inc. you can get title loans or signature installment loans. These are two ways to use your Wisconsin vehicle registration title to get the fast cash you need to cover the emergency expenses that life throws at you.

happy lady with cash

Wisconsin Auto Title Loans, Inc. Advantages

There are lots of advantages to using your Wisconsin vehicle registration title to apply for a loan. These include:

There is no store visit required
You can get your emergency cash the same day or the very next day
You can keep your car while you pay off the loan
You can get an unsecured loan for up to $1,500
There are convenient store locations near you

Items Needed to Apply with Wisconsin Auto Title Loans, Inc.

There are just a few things you need to apply for your loan today. If you want to get cash for a vehicle title all you need to bring with you are:

Your driver’s license or another valid form of government-issued photo ID
The lien-free title to your vehicle
Your vehicle for inspection

If you are looking for a signature installment loan, these are the things that you need:

Your driver’s license or another valid form of government-issued photo ID
A checking account statement in your name
Your most recent pay stub, as proof of income

Wisconsin Vehicle Registration Title – Final Thoughts

Your Wisconsin vehicle registration title is an official document that proves that you are the legal owner of your vehicle. This is a requirement if you are living in Wisconsin. Now that you know what a vehicle title is, you know what you need to do to be street legal in Wisconsin.

And remember, if you need fast money to cover an emergency expense, you can get cash for a vehicle title with Wisconsin Auto Title Loans, Inc.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.