Can I
download forms that pertain to motor vehicle registration and titles?
What
does "Registration Purposes Only mean? What are the circumstances for this type
of transaction?
How do I
obtain personalized license plates or other special plates?
I
am temporarily working out of state but I am a Texas resident, how do I register my
vehicle?
I
live in Louisiana but I want to register my vehicle in Texas, is this possible?
Q. How do I contact the Orange County Tax Office?
You may contact us in a variety of ways. You may
e-mail us at mvpc@co.orange.tx.us . You
may telephone us at (409) 882-7971 or (409) 769-0064. If you wish to correspond with
our office, please address your letters to Lynda Gunstream, Tax Assessor-Collector, Attn:
Motor Vehicles, PO Box 1568, Orange, Texas 77631-1568. Our main office is located at
123 South 6th Street, in downtown Orange, Texas, and our branch office is located at 155
Wilson in Vidor, Texas. You may also use Mid-County Teachers Credit Union on Hwy 87
in Orange County to renew your vehicle registration. You may only do this if you
have received a vehicle renewal notice, it is within the month your vehicle is expiring
and you do not need new license plates. There is an additional $1.00 fee for
processing at that office.
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Q. How do I register and title a motor vehicle?
The procedure is the same for all vehicles. See
more questions/answers in the License/Registration & Title Question sections.
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Q. Can I download forms that pertain to motor vehicle registration and titles?
Yes, we have most-requested forms available for
downloading on our Forms Page. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your
computer in order to view the documents. Link to Adobe on this page, and from there
you can download Acrobat Reader.
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Texas law allows disabled residents to obtain either a) one set of plates with the international symbol of access plus one placard, or b) two placards. A placard may be displayed in any vehicle being used to transport the disabled person. If the vehicle does not have diabled-person license plates, the law requires that the placard be displayed on the rear-view mirror whenever the vehicle is parked in a disabled person parking space. A diability statement form is available from the Orange County Tax Office or Vidor Tax Office. The applicant's physician must complete the form. The fee for a placard is five dollars ($5.00). Placards must be renewed every four years. There is an exchange fee of $1.30 (plus $1.00 processing fee if done through the mail) for a set of disabled-persons license plates if the registration is current. A person who has lost the use of one or both legs may obtain additional sets of disabled person plates for vehicles specially equipped for operation.
For more information on diabled perosn placards and
license plates, please see the Frequently Asked Questions About Disabled Person
Placards/License Plates provided by the Texas Department of Transportation.
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If your license plates are damaged or you are missing a
plate we can replace them with new license plates, we can also replace a missing or stolen
registration sticker. You can obtain replacement plates or validation stickers at
the Orange County Tax Office or the Vidor Tax Office. You will need to bring in the
remaining license plate(s) and your current registration receipt and fill out a
replacement affidavit. The fee for replacement plates and/or sticker is $6.30.
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Q. Is insurance required to purchase a permit?
Yes, insurance must be on the vehicle the permit is for.
Also, cash is required when purchasing a permit of any type.
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Q. What does "Registration Purpose Only" mean? What are the circumstances for this type of transaction?
"Registration Purposes Only" means that the
vehicle is registered, but not titled in Texas. This type of ownership document may
be requested when a vehicle that was registered or titled in another state is subject to
registration in Texas but the owner or operator cannot or does not wish to surrender the
negotiable out-of-state evidence of ownership in order to obtain a Texas negotiable title.
You will need the out of state registration, a Texas State Inspectoin Certificate
called a "GreenSlip" (VI-30A), and proof of insurance. There is a $33.00
title fee, a $90.00 new resident fee and a registration fee based on the type of vehicle.
( link to fees)
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Q. How do I obtain personalized license plates or other special plates?
You may obtain an Application for Personlized License
Plates (VTR 35a) from the Orange County Tax Office, the Vidor Tax Office or any VTR
Regional Office. There is a charge in addition to the regular registration fee.
The amount charged for personalized and special plates varies according to the type
ordered. In some cases, the applicant must meet eligibility requirements before
applying for special plates. Follow the instructions on the forms. See the
Special License Plates Listing for pictures of the specialty plates that are available in
Texas.
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As of September 1, 1985 an individual who is the owner of
a 3 or 4 wheel all-terrain vehicle designed for "off-highway" use must secure a
certificate of title in his/her name before the vehicle can be transferred to another
owner. These off-highway vehicles are not designed by the manufacturer for highway
use and therefore must be titled but not registered when the owner makes applicatoin for
title. Consequently sales tax is not due on this vehicle. Any 3 or 4 wheel
all-terrain vehicles to be used upon public property of this state are required to be
registered with an off-highway, all-terrain vehicle registration. The annual fee for
registration of an all-terrain vehicle is $6.00 plus a required $6.30 safety fee for a
total of $12.30. This an annual sticker expiring March 31st of each year.
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Q. I am temporarily working out of state but I am a Texas resident, how do I register my vehicle?
You must register your vehicle in the county in which you
have a permanent residence. If your vehicle is expired and you have not been
ticketed you may purchase a 30-day permit at the Orange County Tax Office or the Vidor Tax
Office then mail your registration to your county of residence. If your vehicle is
expired and you have been ticketed you may register your vehicle here in Orange County but
you will be charged a 20% penalty for late registration and registering outside your home
county. You must pay with cash, have proof of insurance, proof of identification
(state issued drivers license or identification card) and the license plate number or
vehicle identification (state issued drivers license or identificatoin card) and the
license plate number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle needing to be
registered.
(link to fees)
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Q. I live in Louisiana but I want to register my vehicle in Texas, is this possible?
No. According to Texas state law, you must register
in the state in which you reside.
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