How to Change a Car Registration Address in Louisiana
Vehicle owners can complete the Louisiana address change on a car registration procedure through the state Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). The state OMV offers two methods to change a car registration address: in person and by mail.
Note that regardless of how you complete the process of updating your address, you will obtain a duplicate car registration with the new address after submitting the necessary paperwork and fee payment. To get more details on how to perform this update, keep reading the following sections.
Instances Where You Must Change Your Address on Your Louisiana Car Registration
Changing your vehicle registration address in Louisiana is a mandatory step in the event that you change residences within the state, since operating a motor vehicle with an outdated registration card is against the law. You will also technically complete the address change transaction for a vehicle registration when you transfer an out-of-state vehicle documentation in Louisiana and apply for an original OMV registration certificate.
Note that you will be required to change your address with the state OMV and obtain an amended certificate if you were incorrectly issued a registration card with a wrong address as well.
Louisiana Address Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration
The process to update your car registration address in Louisiana must be completed within a certain time period in order to avoid the consequences that may arise from an outdated vehicle record. For example, if you fail in changing your auto registration address on time, you may receive a traffic citation when a police officer learns that you have not updated your registration documents.
Also, if the state OMV does not process an address change for your vehicle after your move, it will send your car registration renewal notice to your old address. To learn more about the specific time limit to make an update to your address with the OMV, contact your nearby OMV office.
How to Change Your Address on Your Louisiana Car Registration in Person
Car owners can finalize the Louisiana address change on vehicle registration by submitting a paper application in person through any OMV site. Note that when changing a car registration address information, applicants will be required to submit a copy of their registration certificate, a fee payment and proof of vehicle insurance.
The supervising OMV agent will process your request to update your address with the OMV once he or she retrieves your vehicle records and enters your new address in the system. After your successfully complete the address change on car registration, you will be issued a replacement registration document displaying the new address.
Note: The state OMV does not currently offer the option to change your address online for your vehicle documents. To learn if and when this option becomes available, contact the state Office of Motor Vehicles.
How to Change Your Address on Your Louisiana Car Registration by Mail
Instead of changing your auto registration address in Louisiana in person, you can avoid an office visit and mail a written application to the OMV P.O. Box in Baton Rouge. Note that, when mailing your request to update a car registration address, you will be required to submit your fee payment in the form of a check or money order. Also, your check must include your driving license number, your phone number and your physical address.
Prior to mailing your request to change your car registration address in LA, ensure that your application package contains the necessary items, as outlined above. Once the state OMV receives your address change on car registration request, it will update its database correspondingly, issue a duplicate registration card and mail it to your address on file. Keep in mind that to get an update registration document, you may have to go through similar process as that required for obtaining a replacement registration.
Note: When you change your address, your driving license address will not be updated. You will be required to submit a separate request to update the information on your license to drive.
When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in Louisiana
Car owners can also change a vehicle registration address in Louisiana when completing the standard car registration renewal procedure. For instance, to successfully update your car registration address when renewing your license plates through the OMV ExpressLane online service, you will be prompted to correct your address information prior to furnishing payment for the renewal costs. You will also be granted the option to complete the address update if you choose to renew your car registration via alternative methods.
Louisiana DMV Address Change Fees
To successfully change car registration address in Louisiana, vehicle owners will be required to pay a $12 fee. While the base fee to complete the address update on vehicle registration remains the same for both the in-person and by-mail application methods, additional fees may still apply.
For instance, if you are changing your auto registration address in LA in person, you will be required to pay a local fee that may vary from office to office. However, be mindful that local office fees do not exceed $4. Also, if you are paying with an e-check or a credit or debit card, you will have to submit an additional transaction fee payment.
Sources
- How do I change the address on my registration? from Louisiana.gov