Motor Vehicle Licensing provides licensing and title transfer services for:

• cars & trucks
• motorcycles (bring engine number with you)
• trailers
• RVs
• out of state vehicles

  Bring in the out-of-state title or a current registration card if the title is unavailable. The  odometer reading and a driver's license or state-issued identification will also be required. The vehicle owner must provide the name and complete address of the lender and the date of the loan if there is a lien against the vehicle.

• watercraft

  This license is valid for three years. To transfer a titled watercraft, transfer must be executed on Minnesota or foreign-state title. The following is required to register a watercraft in Minnesota:

  • make
  • year
  • length
  • serial number of watercraft
  • motor size if applicable
  • driver's license number and signature

  Fees vary, according to type, length, and use of the watercraft.

  For your convenience, the Motor Vehicle Licensing Department can issue DNR decals at the time you register.

• snowmobile

  This license is valid for three years. The following is required to register a snowmobile in Minnesota:

  • make
  • model
  • year
  • serial number
  • engine size - HP or cubic centimeters  (cc's)
  • driver's license and signature

  Fees: $45, plus $3.50 for issuing

  For your convenience, the Motor Vehicle Licensing Department can issue DNR decals at the time you register.

• all-terrain vehicles (ATV)

  This license is valid for three years. The following is required to register an ATV in Minnesota:

  • make
  • model
  • year
  • serial number
  • engine size - HP or cubic centimeters (cc's)
  • driver's license and signature

  Fees: $18, plus $3.50 for issuing

  For your convenience, the Motor Vehicle Licensing Department can issue DNR decals at the time you register.

The registered owner's or spouse's signature is required. If you do not have the renewal notice, please be prepared to provide your vehicle license plate number so State records can be accessed.

Fees vary, depending on type and size of vehicle.

Avoid the lines and process your license tab renewals in a timely manner.

To use this free service, simply place your license tab statement and check (payable to the City of Golden Valley) in an envelope marked "Motor Vehicle" and slip it into the Utility Drop Box near the front door of City Hall. All envelopes received by 8 am will be ready for pick-up by noon on the same day.

If you are unable to pick up your tabs by the end of business that day, the Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing Center will mail them at no extra charge.

If you have questions, call the Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing department at 763-593-8101.

The following information, courtesy of the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association, will help you properly transfer ownership of a used vehicle. Transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer is NOT finished until the completed title is turned in at the registrar or deputy registrar's office, where the excise tax and related fees are paid.

Seller's Responsibilities

• Provide title from state in which vehicle was last licensed. If current title cannot be located, the seller must apply for a duplicate. The title must show:
  • the mileage as it appears on the odometer
  • the current owner(s) name(s) -- all owner(s) must sign as seller(s).
• Provide signed release from any lienholder(s) listed on the title (bank, credit union, or individual from whom money was borrowed). The sale cannot be completed without this document.

Buyer's Responsibilities

• On the title, print full name(s), address(es), date(s) of birth and driver's license number(s) of buyer(s).
• If money was borrowed to purchase the vehicle, provide complete name and address of lienholder(s) and date of lien to be printed on the title. If no money was borrowed, check "None" for no lien.
• Sign the title.

The Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing Department offers limited driver's license services, including duplicate licenses and change of address.

The Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing Department DOES NOT handle driver's licenses renewals or photos, nor does it handle change of name (which requires a new photo). If you need to take the road test or renew your driver's license, contact the Minnesota Driver's Exam Station in Plymouth at 952-476-3042 (hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm).

For additional locations in the metro area for driver's license information, call 651-296-6911.

Fishing and hunting licenses are available at the Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing Center in City Hall. Small game and fishing licenses are valid from March 1 to April 30 the following year. Licenses are available for deer season shortly before it begins in early November.

An ID is required to purchase a fishing (or hunting) license.The electronic licensing system (ELS) requires that Minnesota residents furnish a driver’s license, public safety identification card, or DNR firearms safety training card as proof of residency. With few exceptions, people who have not been issued one of these types of identifiers will need to get one before buying a hunting or fishing license. Licenses cannot be issued to Minnesota residents who cannot furnish one of these types of identifying numbers.

The Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing Department now offers new and renewal passports. Passports are valid for 10 years for people age 16 and older and five years for people age 15 and younger.

Apply in Person for a US Passport

The following information was taken from the US State Department website. For complete information on obtaining a new or renewal passport, visit the US State Department website or call 1-877-487-2778; TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793.

1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DS-11

Forms are available at City Hall (7800 Golden Valley Rd) or you can download the application online. Do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until a Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.

2. Present Proof of US Citizenship (with any one of the following):

• Previous US Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of US citizenship)
• Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state
  • A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within one year of your birth.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship

If you do not have any of the above proof of US Citizenship, visit the US State Department at for more instructions.

3. Present Proof of Identity

• Previous US passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity)
• Naturalization Certificate
• Current, valid:
  • driver's license
  • government ID (city, state or federal)
  • military ID (military and dependents)

If none of the above forms of ID are available or the passport is for a minor, visit the US State Department for more information.

4. Provide Two Passport Photos (photos can be taken at City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Rd). Photographs must be:

• 2 inches x 2 inches
• identical
• taken within the past six months, showing current appearance
• in color
• full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• taken in normal street attire, with attention to the following:
  • Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  • Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  • If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  • Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

5. Pay the Applicable Fee

For fee list, visit the US Department of State.

6. Provide a Social Security Number

To have something notarized, you will need to have your driver's license or a picture ID. There is a charge of $1 per notary stamp.