Vehicle Titles and Registrations – Pennington County Treasurer’s Office
The Pennington County Treasurer’s Office handles the titling and licensing of various vehicles, including new and used motor vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, mobile homes, snowmobiles, boats, ATVs, and commercial vehicles. We also process motor vehicle lien releases, assist with duplicate title applications, and issue portable handicap permits with the required doctor verification forms.
Mobile Home Title Transfers
All mobile home tax assessments are completed by the Equalization Office. For more information, call 605-394-2175. If you need to transfer the title or obtain a moving permit for a mobile home, please visit our FAQ section for further details.
Vehicle Registration & Renewal Information
Vehicle registrations follow a staggered licensing system, based on the first letter of the owner’s last name or the company name. See the table below for renewal months. Please note that registrations cannot be renewed by anyone other than the owner unless written authorization or the renewal card from the state is provided. See our FAQ Section for additional information on renewing a registration, including payment options.
- South Dakota residents have 45 days from the date of purchase of a vehicle to transfer the title. After 45 days, a penalty of $1 per week (up to 26 weeks) will be applied. After 26 weeks, a flat penalty of $50 will be imposed. Additionally, interest of 1% and penalties will apply to the 4% vehicle excise tax once the 45 days has lapsed with additional fees due on the 60th day after purchase. For more details on transferring a title or handling out-of-state titles, visit our FAQ section.
Required Documents for Titling
To title a vehicle, you must provide:
- A valid South Dakota driver’s license or ID for each owner, or
- A clear photocopy of your Social Security number along with a valid out-of-state ID or driver’s license.
- Businesses must provide their FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number).
Note: Make sure to verify your county of residence, as some Box Elder addresses may fall under Pennington County or Meade County. South Dakota law requires residents to register their vehicles in the county where they physically reside.
Mail-In Paperwork
If you submit paperwork by mail, it will be processed in the order it is received not necessarily on the day it arrives from your chosen carrier. Expect up to two weeks for processing, in addition to any mailing time. Expedited requests may be subject to administrative fees.
If you have questions please see our FAQ Section. You may also give us a call at 605-394-2163 or use our Contact Us form to send us an email.
Renewal Months
Renewal Month | First Letter of Last Name |
January | A, B |
February | C, D, E |
March | F, G, J |
May | H, I. O |
June | K, L |
July | M, N |
August | P, Q, R |
September | S |
November | T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z |