Automobile Registration

Auto registrations are done at the Treasury Office and are by appointment only.  Click here image

Auto renewals can be processed online.

Auto Renewals


Previous registration, current insurance, and mileage. Need proof of Portland residence (bill, lease agreement, mail, etc.) if change of address.
If you’d like to sign up for reminders, please click on the link below.
https://www1.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal/index.html



Listed below are common scenarios. If yours differs, please either e-mail us at veh-reg@portlandmaine.gov or by phone at 207-874-8491. Please understand that without seeing all of your documents, it may be difficult to provide accurate fees and/or proper information needed



New resident to State of Maine
If you own the vehicle and are not making payments on it: original title, original previous registration, current insurance, current mileage, and proof of Portland residence

If you are financing the vehicle (a loan) – a loan document showing: name(s) on loan, lienholder’s name & mailing address, and date of purchase. You will also need the original previous registration, current insurance, current mileage, and proof of Portland residence.

If you are leasing the vehicle – the lease agreement, original previous registration, current insurance, current mileage, and proof of Portland residence.

If you have lost or cannot find the previous registration, you may either contact your previous state and ask for a duplication OR you may write a notarized affidavit with the following information: previous address, new address, your name, vehicle info – year, make, model, VIN # and current plate #, the reason for missing registration, sign & date it


Vehicle purchased from a ME dealer


If brand new: window sticker/factory invoice, title application, bill of sale (showing sales tax paid), proof of current insurance, and current mileage. Proof of Portland residence, if new.
If used: title application, bill of sale (showing sales tax paid), proof of current insurance, and current mileage. Proof of Portland residence, if new.
Please bring in your previous registration if you had a vehicle that you got rid of and would like to transfer either the plates and/or credit



Vehicle purchased from out of state dealer


If brand new: window sticker/factory invoice, either a title application or a certificate of origin (looks like a title), bill of sale, current insurance, and current mileage. Proof of Portland residence, if new.

If used: either a title application or the original title, bill of sale, current insurance, and current mileage. Proof of Portland residence, if new.

If bill of sale shows sales tax collected, please verify if it was collected and where check is being sent/payable to

Please bring in your previous registration if you had a vehicle that you got rid of and would like to transfer either the plates and/or credit



Vehicle purchased from a private sale


Original title, bill of sale/gift letter, current insurance, and current mileage. Proof of Portland residence, if new.
Please bring in your previous registration if you had a vehicle that you got rid of and would like to transfer either the plates and/or credit.



Renewals for trailers


Previous registration & proof of Portland residence, if new.
Camper trailers can only be registered for 1 year. All other trailers may be registered for 1 or 2 years.

New purchase of a trailer


State of Maine only will issue a title to trailers that have an empty weight of 3,000 lbs or more. Please know the empty weight before coming in to register.
You will need a bill of sale. If new, proof of Portland residence.

Renewals for boats


https://www5.informe.org/online/boat/
Previous registration or boat reg #. Proof of Portland residence, if new.

New purchase of a boat


Bill of sale. Proof of Portland residence, if new.  
If a Watercraft does not have a motor it is not required to be registered in the State of Maine.



ATV/UTV/Dirt Bike Registrations


We do not process these off-road vehicles here at City Hall.
New registrations can be done at the following town offices for Portland residents:
Falmouth – 271 Falmouth Rd. Ph # 781-5253. Hours M 7-5pm, Tu-Th 8-5pm, F closed.
Westbrook – 2 York St. Ph # 854-9105. Hours M-F 8:30-5pm.
Scarborough – 259 US Rte 1. Ph #730-4010. Only available select hours.

Renewals can be done at the above town offices, online (link below), or also at Cabelas.
https://moses.informe.org/online/atv_snow/index.htm


ISLAND VEHICLE AND GOLF CART REGISTRATIONS

Renewals of Island Registrations can be completed in-person at City Hall or by mail if requested.



Forms of Payment

Cash
Check – made payable to City of Portland
Debit/Credit Cards (Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover) – processing fee of 2.65% with a minimum $3 charge


Documents Needed to Re-Register Your Motor Vehicle


  • Current Proof of insurance for the vehicle
  • Previous registration
  • Mileage on current vehicle
  • Proof of Portland residency
Portland residents can re-register vehicles online through the State of Maine Rapid Renewal process.

Documents Needed to Register Your Motor Vehicle (Purchased from Dealer)


  • Copy of the Monroney (Window) Sticker from the Dealership.
  • Current Proof of Insurance for the vehicle
  • Previous Registration (if you are planning on taking a credit from a vehicle previously registered in your name and that you no longer are in possession of)
  • Blue title application showing you have registered for a Maine title.
  • Mileage on the vehicle
  • Invoice from the dealer showing Maine sales tax has been paid (otherwise taxes will be paid at City Hall))
  • Proof of Portland residency
  • After excise taxes have been paid, Treasury can issue most plates.

Documents Needed to Register Motor Vehicle (Purchased from Private Sale)


  • Bill of Sale (The document must have year, make model, serial number, current mileage, date of sale and a statement indicating the amount of the sale, who the vehicle is being sold to, and must be signed by the seller and buyer)
  • Current Proof of Insurance for the vehicle
  • Previous Registration (if you are planning on taking a credit from a vehicle previously registered in your name and that you no longer are in possession of)
  • Mileage on the vehicle
  • Proof of Portland residency
  • If private party sale, sales tax will be collected upon registering the vehicle.
  • Title of the vehicle if the model year is 1995 or newer.
  • After excise taxes have been paid, Treasury can issue most plates.

Documents Needed to change your address


  • Proof of Portland residency. This can be a utility bill, cell phone bill, current tenant lease agreement, etc.
  • If from out of State, you will need in addition to a bill, the Loan Document or title, proof of insurance with a Portland address, and previous registration from that state.
  • Leased vehicles only: Power of Attorney (or letter of authorization) from leasing company acknowledging transfer from previous state to Maine, preferably notarized.
Note: State of Maine law requires that excise tax be paid to municipalities annually at time of vehicle registration / re-registration. Excise tax amounts are based on the vehicle's MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) and year of manufacture. All applicable State of Maine law requirements are followed in regards to excise tax credits.

City of Portland Excise Tax Credits Policy
Rapid Renewal