The process to change a car registration address in California can be completed through the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) via several methods. Note that certain methods of changing a car registration address information will also include special eligibility criteria.

Also, the state DMV will only carry out the CA address change on a car registration in its database without issuing a new credential. To obtain a new registration card that displays your new address, you will also be required to complete the car registration replacement procedure. If you are wondering about the address change process, you can get more information in the following sections.

Instances Where You Must Change Your Address on Your California Car Registration

Knowing how to change a car registration address is important when the vehicle owner makes changes to his or her residential and/or mailing address. The address change on vehicle registration procedure is also completed when you move within the state and obtain your first California car registration.

Another situation in which you must update your car registration address in CA is if your DMV record and/or registration card display an incorrect address. Note that this process will not result in an updated address on your CA driving license. You will be required to submit a separate address change request in such cases.

California Address Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration

Vehicle owners are required to complete the California address change on a car registration within 10 days of their move. Failure to update your car registration address with the state DMV within this time period may lead to certain repercussions.

For example, if you fail to change the address on your car registration, you may receive a traffic citation for driving your vehicle while your records are outdated. If you do not change your auto registration address in CA, you will not receive your vehicle registration renewal reminder as well, which may delay the successful renewal of your license plates.

How to Change Your Address on Your California Car Registration Online

Completing the procedure to change car registration address online in California is the fastest way of notifying the department of your new physical and/or mailing address. However, in order to utilize the online address change service for your vehicle registration, you will first be required to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You have a valid Social Security Number.
• You have a California driving license or identification card.
• Your current address is within the United States.
• You do not have an army or fleet post office address.

Note: If you do not meet the above requirements, you will be required to utilize one of the alternative application methods outlined in the sections below.

To finalize the process of changing your car registration address online in CA, you will first be required to register for the DMV Online Services. Then, after logging on to the system with your chosen user ID and password, you can proceed with updating your information. To successfully change your car registration address via the internet, you will need your most recent registration card and your old and new address.

Note that you have the option of changing the address for up to three motor vehicles during the same transaction. The system will update your records within 72 hours of receiving your address change request.

How to Change Your Address on Your California Car Registration in Person

If you do not qualify for the online address change on a car registration in California, you can always visit a nearby DMV location and submit your request in person. To successfully change your vehicle registration address in person, you will be required to fill out the Notice of Change of Address and deliver it to your DMV representative.

You can obtain the form necessary to change an auto registration address in CA through any field office, via the official DMV website or by calling the department. Once your address change request is processed, the state DMV will update your records.

Note: If you change your address information through a local DMV site, you will also receive the DMV Change of Address Card as proof of an updated address.

How to Change Your Address on Your California Car Registration by Mail

Another convenient method to change car registration address in California is submitting the form mentioned above by mail to the address listed on the form. Before mailing the address change on a car registration form, however, ensure that you fill it out in its entirety using capital letters in order to avoid rejected or delayed requests. Once the DMV office in Sacramento receives your request, the department will update your record to reflect your new address.

When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in California

Vehicle owners also have the option of completing the California address change on car registration during their car registration renewal period. The state DMV mails out a renewal notice up to two months before your set expiration date. The process of updating your car registration address when renewing your tags may vary depending on whether you are submitting an online or a paper renewal request.

If you are planning on renewing your vehicle registration via the internet, you can utilize the same DMV Change of Address online service that is outlined above. If you are renewing your auto registration with a paper application, on the other hand, you will be able to write the new address on the renewal form in most cases.

California DMV Address Change Fees

The process of changing a car registration address in California can be completed free of charge, since the state DMV only updates its database without issuing duplicate car registrations. However, the department also offers you the option to change your car registration address and replace your existing registration card with a certificate that displays your new address.

If you choose this option, you will also be required to pay the manufacturing fees for the new vehicle registration, which is $21. If you are updating your vehicle registration address in CA when renewing your license plates, on the other hand, you will be required to pay the standard renewal costs, which is $58.

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