How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in New Mexico in 2026
New Mexico does not provide an online system for canceling vehicle registration. Vehicle owners must surrender their license plates to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) by visiting a field office in person. The Motor Vehicle Division oversees all vehicle registration transactions throughout New Mexico, including the cancellation of registrations at field office locations.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Vehicle owners in New Mexico should surrender their license plates to the MVD under several circumstances:
- Selling your vehicle through a private sale or a dealership transaction
- Trading in your vehicle at a dealership or giving it as a gift
- Establishing permanent residency in another state
- Returning a leased vehicle at lease term completion
- Taking your vehicle to a junkyard or salvage facility
- Vehicle declared a total loss by your insurance carrier
- Vehicle stolen and reported to law enforcement without recovery
- Storing your vehicle long-term without insurance coverage
- Transferring vehicle ownership through estate settlement or probate
- Permanently withdrawing the vehicle from operational use
In-Person Processing at MVD Field Office
Vehicle registration cancellation in New Mexico requires physically surrendering license plates at any MVD field office throughout the state. All field offices operate from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Required Actions:
- Remove the license plate from your vehicle
- Visit any MVD field office during business hours
- Present the license plate to the field office staff
- Request plate destruction or plate assignment to another vehicle of the same class
- Obtain documentation of the transaction
Processing Information:
MVD field office staff will process your plate surrender and provide documentation. If you wish to assign the plate to another vehicle you own, you must apply for this transfer at the time of plate surrender. The vehicle receiving the transferred plate must be of the same class as the previous vehicle.
License Plate Return Requirements:
New Mexico law establishes a "plate-to-owner" registration system. When a vehicle is sold, traded in, or given as a gift, the vehicle owner is responsible for removing the license plate from the vehicle. Within 30 days of the transaction, the vehicle owner shall take the plate to an MVD field office to have it destroyed or apply to have the plate assigned to another vehicle of the same class. License plates remain the property of the state and cannot be discarded by vehicle owners.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
New Mexico regulations permit refunds of registration fees under specific circumstances outlined by the Motor Vehicle Division. Vehicle owners may request refunds for incorrect computations, overpayments, double payments, or other qualifying situations.
Refund Eligibility
The MVD considers refund applications for various circumstances related to registration fee errors or overpayments. Refundable situations include:
Incorrect Computation of Registration Fee:
Registration fees may be refunded when an incorrect computation has occurred, including overpayment, double payment, or misapplied fees. Vehicle owners must submit a copy of the registration certificate and a letter of explanation detailing the error.
Other Qualifying Circumstances:
Vehicle owners may request refunds for other reasons by submitting supporting documents and letters of explanation. The MVD reviews each refund request individually to determine eligibility based on the circumstances presented and applicable regulations.
Important Limitation: Registration fees in New Mexico range from $27.00 to $62.00 for one-year registration or $54.00 to $124.00 for two-year registration for passenger vehicles. Refund policies do not include prorated refunds for unused portions of registration periods when plates are surrendered due to standard circumstances such as vehicle sales or relocation.
Refund Application Process
Step 1: Complete Refund Application
Obtain and complete the Request for Refund (Form MVD-10208) available from the MVD. The application requires detailed information about the transaction and the reason for the refund request.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documentation
Assemble the required documentation for your refund request:
- Copy of canceled check, money order, or credit card statement showing payment
- Copy of registration certificate
- Letter of explanation detailing the circumstances warranting a refund
- Any additional supporting documents relevant to your refund request
Step 3: Submit Refund Application
Mail your completed refund application with all supporting documentation to:
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 1028
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1028
Alternatively, vehicle owners may submit refund requests through the MVD online services portal by selecting "Request a Refund" from the payment services menu. The online portal also allows vehicle owners to check refund status by selecting "Where's My Refund?"
Step 4: MVD Review Process
The Motor Vehicle Division reviews all refund applications for eligibility under state regulations. Processing timeframes vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of applications. Approved refunds are issued by check and mailed to the address provided on the refund application. The MVD may also issue refunds via direct deposit or as a credit against future payments.
Governing Laws and Regulations
New Mexico vehicle registration cancellation procedures are established through state statutes administered by the Motor Vehicle Division:
- NMSA 1978, § 66-3-1 establishes which vehicles are subject to registration requirements in New Mexico and defines vehicle types that must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Division
Government Agencies
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
Joseph Montoya Building, P.O. Box 1028, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1028
Phone: (888) 683-4636
Official Website: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
Online Services Portal:
MyMVD Online Services
MVD Field Offices in Major Cities
Registration cancellation through license plate surrender must be completed in person at any MVD field office. All field offices operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The following field offices serve New Mexico's major population centers:
Albuquerque - Eagle Vista
9651 Eagle Ranch Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Phone: (505) 764-6650
Official Website: Albuquerque - Eagle Vista
Albuquerque - Montgomery Plaza
4575 San Mateo Boulevard NE, Suite G190, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone: (505) 875-0715
Official Website: Albuquerque - Montgomery Plaza
Albuquerque - Rio Bravo
3211 Coors Boulevard SW, Suite D10 & D11, Albuquerque, NM 87121
Phone: (505) 452-9239
Official Website: Albuquerque - Rio Bravo
Albuquerque - Sandia Vista
11500 Menaul Boulevard NE, Suite F1, Albuquerque, NM 87121
Phone: (505) 292-4570
Official Website: Albuquerque - Sandia Vista
Las Cruces - Wyatt
308 Wyatt Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone: (575) 524-6215
Official Website: Las Cruces - Wyatt
Las Cruces - Del Rey
3291 Del Rey Boulevard, Suite 10, Las Cruces, NM 88012
Phone: (575) 647-2044
Official Website: Las Cruces - Del Rey
Santa Fe
2546 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: (505) 476-1599
Official Website: Santa Fe
Roswell
200 E. Wilshire Boulevard, Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (575) 624-6062
Official Website: Roswell
Farmington
3501 E. Main Street, Suite N, Farmington, NM 87402
Phone: (505) 599-9712
Official Website: Farmington
Clovis
900 W. 6th Street, Clovis, NM 88101
Phone: (575) 762-3732
Official Website: Clovis
