Headaches with car registration

I moved from LA to AZ a few months ago. Moving is not fun, and neither is registering a car from out-of-state.

My car was decorated with warning notices couple of times already. The notice said that the car's being operated in AZ and bears a license plate from out of state. It has to be registered in AZ for drivers residing in the state. Of course, the notice goes on to explain the definition of a resident and how I can get tickets and court notices for not registering the car. What an offense, I thought!!

Today morning I started gathering information required for the registration process. I learned that the car needs to pass an emission test and a physical evaluation (???...) and that I need the original title and registration document. Not to mention, I lost my title during the moving process. In addition to this issue of not having the title, I have my dashboard lit with the "check engine" light... This is show-stopper for emission test, 'coz the car would fail the test when the light is on...

So, I have two issues now... title and "check engine" light.. I said to myself, nothing comes as easy. I will have to take the car to a mechanic, dole out some money, get the check-engine light fixed, take it to the registration office and try my luck for registering without a title...

This seems to be a too tedious, boring and simply irritating process. But, not much I can do. Car has to be registered and there are limited ways to accomplishing it..

Tomorrow (Saturday) will be dedicated for setting my car free. Let us see how things will roll out.. Best..