How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in New Jersey in 2026
New Jersey does not provide an online system for canceling vehicle registration. Vehicle owners must surrender their registration by returning license plates to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) either in person at any motor vehicle agency or through mail submission.
The Motor Vehicle Commission oversees all vehicle registration matters throughout New Jersey, including registration cancellations processed at agency locations or by mail. When you sell, junk, or destroy your vehicle and do not intend to purchase another, you must surrender your license plates to the MVC for cancellation. Registration cancellation removes your vehicle's legal authorization to operate on New Jersey roadways.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Vehicle owners in New Jersey should surrender their registration and license plates under various circumstances:
- Completing the sale of your vehicle through a private transaction or a dealership
- Donating your vehicle to a charitable organization or family member
- Establishing your permanent residence in another state
- Returning a leased vehicle after your lease term
- Disposing of your vehicle at a junkyard or salvage facility
- Vehicle declared a total loss by your insurance carrier
- Vehicle stolen and reported to law enforcement without recovery
- Maintaining a vehicle in long-term storage without insurance coverage
- Transferring ownership through estate administration or probate
- Permanently withdrawing the vehicle from operational use
In-Person Processing at MVC Agency
Vehicle owners may surrender registration and license plates at any MVC agency location throughout New Jersey. Most locations provide convenient drop boxes for plate returns, eliminating the need for an appointment.
Required Actions:
- Remove license plates from your vehicle
- Visit any motor vehicle agency during business hours
- Deposit plates in the outdoor drop box, if available
- Request a receipt from agency staff at the greeter desk if you need immediate documentation
Processing Information:
The MVC processes surrendered plates and issues a receipt by mail to the address on file. This receipt serves as proof that the plates were surrendered if charges are incorrectly applied to them. If you require a receipt immediately due to a suspension or other urgent matter, notify agency staff at the greeter desk when surrendering your plates.
License Plate Surrender Requirements:
New Jersey law provides that upon the transfer of ownership or destruction of any motor vehicle, its registration becomes void. License plates remain the property of the state and must be physically returned to the MVC rather than destroyed by vehicle owners. New Jersey residents are also permitted by MVC rules to transfer license plates to another vehicle of their own.
Mail-In Surrender
Vehicle owners may surrender registration and license plates by mail to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
Required Materials:
- Original license plates (both plates if two were issued)
- Self-addressed, stamped envelope for receipt return
Mailing Address:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
P.O. Box 129
Trenton, NJ 08666-0129
Processing Information:
You must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your plate submission to receive a receipt. The MVC will mail your receipt once the plates are processed. Save this receipt as proof that the plates were surrendered in the event that charges are wrongfully acquired on them. Processing typically requires three to four weeks from the date the MVC receives your plates.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
New Jersey regulations permit limited refunds of registration fees under specific circumstances outlined by the Motor Vehicle Commission. The MVC refund policy establishes qualifying transactions and application procedures for registration fee refunds.
Refund Eligibility
The MVC considers refund applications only for specific refundable transactions submitted within 60 days of the initial transaction date. Certain exemptions permit refund applications beyond the 60 days for specially authorized circumstances.
Standard Refundable Transactions (within 60 days):
- Fees paid twice for the same document or transaction
- Overpayment of a registration fee applicable to Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Lifeline, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
Specially Authorized Refunds (beyond 60 days):
- Military Service Members: Refund of registration fee for the number of full months remaining on the registration period if the vehicle will not be operated on public roadways and the registration certificate and plates are surrendered (does not apply to spouses)
- Commercial Motor-Drawn Vehicles: If a commercial motor-drawn vehicle registered for four years is sold or withdrawn from use on highways, the Chief Administrator may refund $16 for each full year of unused prepaid registration upon surrender of the vehicle registration and plates
Critical Limitation: New Jersey does not provide registration fee refunds for standard passenger vehicles when canceling registration mid-year due to sale, relocation, or other common circumstances. The state's registration fee structure does not include prorated refunds for unused portions of annual registrations for most vehicle types.
Refund Application Process
Step 1: Determine Refund Eligibility
Review the refundable transactions listed above to confirm your situation qualifies for a refund. Most cancellations of standard passenger vehicle registrations do not qualify for refunds.
Step 2: Submit Refund Application
If you meet the criteria for a refundable transaction, complete the Refund Application (Form RU-9) available from the MVC website. Your application must include:
- Completed Refund Application form
- NJMVC receipt from the original transaction
- NJMVC document issued
- Credit card statement showing the transaction, if the credit card was used
- Government-issued photo identification
- Documentation for each form of payment if two different payment methods were used
- Proof of PAAD, Lifeline, or SSI status if claiming a discount recipient refund
Step 3: Submit Documentation
Mail your completed application with supporting documentation to:
NJMVC Refund Unit
225 E. State Street
P.O. Box 165
Trenton, NJ 08666-0165
Phone: (609) 292-6500 ext. 5075
Photocopies of supporting documents are accepted for mail submissions. For same-day refunds, you must present original documents at an NJMVC agency location.
Governing Laws and Regulations
New Jersey vehicle registration cancellation procedures are established through state statutes administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission:
- N.J.S.A. 39:3-4 establishes registration requirements for automobiles and motorcycles operated by New Jersey residents and nonresidents, including application procedures, registration certificates, expiration, and issuance requirements
- N.J.S.A. 39:3-30 provides that upon transfer of ownership or destruction of any motor vehicle, its registration becomes void, requiring surrender of registration and license plates
Government Agencies
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
225 E. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08666
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
MVC Agency Locations in Major Cities
Registration cancellation through license plate surrender may be completed at any MVC agency location. Most locations provide drop boxes for convenient plate returns without appointments. The following agencies serve New Jersey's major population centers:
Newark MVC
228 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark, NJ 07114
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Newark MVC
Wayne MVC
481 Route 46 West, Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Wayne MVC
Paterson MVC
125 Broadway, Suite 201, Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Paterson MVC
Oakland MVC
350 Ramapo Valley Rd, Suite 24, Oakland NJ 07436
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Oakland MVC
Edison MVC
45 Kilmer Road, Edison, NJ 08817
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Edison MVC
Camden MVC
2600 Mount Ephraim Avenue, Suite 400, Camden, NJ 08104
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Camden MVC
Salem MVC
The Finlaw Bldg, 199 E Broadway, 1st Floor, Salem, NJ 08079
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Salem MVC
Elizabeth MVC
17 Caldwell Place, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Elizabeth MVC
Eatontown MVC
109 Route 36, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Eatontown MVC
Freehold MVC
811 Okerson Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Official Website: Freehold MVC
