South Dakota title and registration, step by step

Which forms, which fees and which deadlines. For a car bought in the state and for one you bring from another.

In South Dakota the title is issued by South Dakota Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division (SD DOR). South Dakota still prints paper titles. If there is a loan, the title is kept electronic until it is paid off. The seller signs the paper title and writes the mileage. The state is launching an electronic private-party sale in my605drive for SD titles with no lien; even then, the buyer finishes at the treasurer's office.

Where it happens. At your County Treasurer's office. That is where you pay the tax, the title and the plates. Since July 1, 2026, some dealers can file the paperwork for you through an authorized provider. Confirm the deadline and the event that starts it for your transaction: a purchase, receipt of the signed title or a move into the state can have different rules. Late-fee information in the state sources: $1.00 per week or part of a week after 45 days for 25 weeks, then a flat $50 at 26 weeks or more (SDCL 32-3-27); applying more than 90 days after the title was assigned is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Case 1: you bought a car in South Dakota (private seller)

What the seller hands you

• The title with the transfer section completed: your name and address, sale price, date, odometer reading and the seller's signature (both owners if two names are joined by "and").
• If there was a loan: a lien release from the bank, or the lien already removed from the title.
• A bill of sale with VIN, price and signatures. You need it for the sales tax.

What you bring to the office

• The state forms (below), completed.
• The signed title and the bill of sale.
• Applicable insurance or financial-responsibility documents: 25/50/25 liability ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) generally matches the bodily-injury limits, but the required amount does not exceed $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident unless you request additional coverage (SDCL 58-11-9 and 58-11-9.4). South Dakota is not a no-fault state: no PIP required.
• Valid photo ID.
• Payment: title, registration, plate and sales tax if not paid yet.

Case 2: you bring a car from another state

• Everything above, plus: For an out-of-state car with a regular title, the county treasurer works from the original title; we found no mandatory physical VIN inspection. The Department of Revenue or the Highway Patrol may inspect rebuilt or salvage cars and cars without complete documents (SDCL 32-3-51.13 and 32-3-53.2).
• The original out-of-state title (or the bank's letter if it holds it for the loan).
• Tax: Cars do not pay sales tax: they pay a 4% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price. It is paid to the county treasurer when you title, within 45 days, including private sales. In a private sale the buyer and seller must give the county treasurer a bill of sale on the state's form; if they do not, the 4% is figured on the retail value in a national price guide instead of your price (SDCL 32-5B-4). On a trade-in only the difference is taxed (SDCL 32-5B-4). Transfers with no payment between spouses, parent and child, or siblings are exempt. If the car was already titled in a state with a lower tax, you pay the difference up to 4%.

Forms

• Form 1001 — Motor Vehicle and Boat Title & Registration Application
• Form 1025 — Bill of Sale
• Form 1021 — Odometer Disclosure
• Form 1024 — Seller – Report of Sale
• Form 1002 — Duplicate Title Application

Fees — confirm current amounts (SD DOR)

Amounts come from the linked state sources and can change. This guide distinguishes source checkpoints from narrow claim reviews; confirm the total for your transaction before you go. A dash means an amount has not been confirmed here.

Sales tax

Cars do not pay sales tax: they pay a 4% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price. It is paid to the county treasurer when you title, within 45 days, including private sales. In a private sale the buyer and seller must give the county treasurer a bill of sale on the state's form; if they do not, the 4% is figured on the retail value in a national price guide instead of your price (SDCL 32-5B-4). On a trade-in only the difference is taxed (SDCL 32-5B-4). Transfers with no payment between spouses, parent and child, or siblings are exempt. If the car was already titled in a state with a lower tax, you pay the difference up to 4%.

If you sell: protect yourself

Listed seller-notice or transfer document: Form 1024 (Seller – Report of Sale), online in my605drive, or the slip at the bottom of the title. Check its conditions and the state process below. The plate belongs to the owner, not the car: the seller removes it (SDCL 32-5-2.7) and can move it to the next car with credit for the months left. The seller gives you a free Seller's Permit (SDCL 32-5-2.9) to drive until you register, for up to 45 days; if you need more time, the treasurer sells 5- to 15-day permits at $1 per day. The seller reports the sale at the time of sale, as SDCL 32-5-2.10 requires, and hands you the signed title. Keep a bill of sale on the state's form: without one, the tax is figured on the retail value in a national price guide instead of what you actually paid. Keep copies of the title, filed notices and handover date to answer later registration, toll or ownership questions.

Mistakes that cost

• Missing the deadline. Check the deadline and consequence for your transaction; filing periods and penalties do not all start from the same event.
• Title with cross-outs or correction fluid. Ask the issuing agency which correction or replacement document it accepts before using it.
• Buying with an "open" title (signed by a previous owner, not the person selling to you). Confirm the ownership chain and the documents the agency requires before paying.
• Showing up without in-state insurance. Confirm the insurance or financial-responsibility documents required for your situation.