Form 184 at a glance
What it is: Form 184 is the Application for Motor Vehicle License.
Who signs: 11. Signature: One owner must sign the application for license.
What to bring and attach to Form 184
The application for license completed and signed by the applicant, the appropriate registration and processing fees, and proof of ownership (a copy of the registration receipt, title, or copy of title).
A paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from the county (or city of St. Louis) in which you resided on January 1st of the previous year, in the owner's name.
One receipt must be presented for the previous year to renew a one-year registration, and two receipts for the last two years to renew a two-year registration. An insurance card or other acceptable proof of financial responsibility.
A vehicle safety inspection (if required) not more than 60 days old, or 90 days old if newly purchased from a Missouri dealer and the safety inspection provided by the Missouri dealer was completed within 60 days prior to the purchase date. A safety inspection is not required for all trailers, ATVs, or new motor vehicles (not previously titled).
A vehicle emissions inspection (if required) not more than 60 days old must be submitted by residents in the city of St. Louis and the following counties: Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis. It applies only to certain passenger vehicles and trucks with a manufacturer's gross weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less.
Vehicle safety inspection, vehicle emissions inspection, paid personal property tax receipt or statement of non-assessment, and insurance card are not required when applying for an ATV decal.
See dor.mo.gov/motor-vehicle/additional-help-resources.html for vehicles that are exempt from safety and or emissions inspection.
A filled-in Form 184 example: a renewal for a passenger car
How to fill out Form 184, box by box
Registration Process, License Plate, Expiration and Registration Period
Check the appropriate block for the Registration Process.
Select One: J - New or Renew & Transfer, K - Renewal, M - Transfer, L - Change Weight or Zone, S - Replaced from Stock Only - Notary Required, Z - Special, X - Data Correction, V - Reinstatement.
Record the current license plate on the vehicle in License Plate Number, when applicable.
Record the month and year that the current license plates expire in Expiration Month and Year.
Registration Period: 1-year or 2-year.
Owner's Name and Address, and the Mail To Address
If there is no instruction for a particular field, simply provide the information requested, such as Owner's Name and Address.
Fill in the Mail To Address only if it is different than the Owner's Address.
Year, Make, Vehicle Identification Number, Title Number and Body Style
Record Year, Make, Vehicle Identification Number, Title Number, and Body Style in the designated areas.
If you hand write the application, record only one character in each block within the Vehicle Identification Number.
If there is no title number, record the office number and the title application date in the appropriate box.
Fuel, Kind of Vehicle, Mileage and Purchase Date
Fuel: enter the appropriate code.
Kind of Vehicle (Choose One): P - Passenger, T - Truck, D - Trailer, B - Bus, A - ATV, N - Autocycle, M - Motorcycle, C - Tricycle, R - Rec. Vehicle.
Record the correct code for Kind of Vehicle (KOV), Horsepower (HP), Zone, and Gross Weight or Seating Capacity.
For passenger vehicles provide the taxable horsepower.
For trucks, enter the appropriate zone of operation and the truck's licensed gross weight or seating capacity.
Mileage: record the odometer reading from the vehicle inspection, when applicable.
Purchase date: record the date the vehicle was purchased.
License Transfer or Replace Information
License Transfer or Replace Information: record the Year, Make, Vehicle Identification Number, Title Number, and Taxable Horsepower from the previous vehicle in the designated areas.
Reason for Replacement, Vehicle out of state, Non-use and Notary Information
Reason for Replacement (Notary Required): Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, Destroyed or Never Received.
If the original is found after application is made, the original becomes null and void and must be surrendered immediately to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Vehicle out of state (Notary not required): the vehicle has not been within the state of Missouri for the sixty (60) day period immediately preceding the date of this application for registration, but will be submitted for inspection at an official safety inspection station within ten (10) days after entering the state by you or your agent. Non-use (Notary required): the motor vehicle has not been operated on public roads or the highways of Missouri by you or your agent during the period of ______ to ______.
Notary Information: Subscribed and sworn before me, this day of year, State, County (or City of St. Louis), My Commission Expires (MM/DD/YYYY), Notary Public Signature, Notary Public Name (Typed or Printed).
License Office notary service is $2.00 (checked October 22, 2026).
Penalties and Payment Methods
Penalties: A $5 penalty fee will be assessed for failing to renew a license plate within the month of expiration; the $5 penalty does not apply to trailers and trucks licensed in excess of 12,000 lbs. (checked October 22, 2026) An $8.50 penalty fee will be assessed for failing to transfer or renew multi-year license plates (checked October 22, 2026).
Payment Methods: Checks or money orders may be accepted as payment. Make the check or money order payable to: Missouri Department of Revenue.
Do not send cash when applying by mail.
Donations and Credits
Donations and Credits: $1 Blind Fund, Organ Fund (Minimum $1), $1 Missouri Medal of Honor and WWI Memorial Trust Fund: check appropriate block(s) if you wish to donate to the fund(s) (checked October 22, 2026).
Signature and Certification
By signing, you certify that the statements are true to the best of your knowledge, and that you have and will maintain, during the period of registration, financial responsibility with respect to each motor vehicle that you own, license or operate on the streets or highways. Any false affidavit is a crime under Section 575.050 of Missouri law.
Required Documents
Required Documents: Submit the required items and fees to your local contract office or mail to: Motor Vehicle Bureau, P.O. Box 2046, Jefferson City, MO 65105-2046.
More rules for Form 184
Follow the order of the instructions, beginning with Type of Registration when completing the application.
Write legibly.
All incorrect or incomplete applications will be rejected.
Where to get help with Form 184
Direct inquiries to (573) 526-3669 or visit the website at: dor.mo.gov.
E-mail: mvbmail@dor.mo.gov. Visit dor.mo.gov/motor-vehicle/titling-registration/about-license-plates.html for additional information.
Sources
[1] Form 184 (Revised 06-2026), Application for Motor Vehicle License, Missouri Department of Revenue (the Official source link on this page).