Vehicle owners may change a car registration address in Rhode Island through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is managed by the state’s Department of Revenue (DOR). As a general rule, an address change on a car registration is a procedure that must be completed when vehicle owners change their place of residence within the state. Moreover, individuals must make this request within a given time limit from the date that they move to another location.

In addition, changing a car registration address must be performed by both new and current residents who have moved to or within RI. For more information about how to change a car registration address in the state, continue reading the following sections.

Instances Where You Must Change Your Address on Your Rhode Island Car Registration

The most common reason for drivers to perform an address change on a vehicle registration in Rhode Island is after they move to a new residential address within the state. Furthermore, vehicle owners will be required to change an auto registration address regardless of whether they have moved from an in-state or an out-of-state residence to a new address in RI. Motorists may also be required to undergo the procedure for changing a car registration address when a credential contains errors in regards to the address information.

Nonetheless, it is important for vehicle owners to learn the instances in which they need to update a car registration address prior to being stopped by a law enforcement officer and facing the consequences of having driving credentials with mismatched information. For example, your driver’s license should ideally display the same address as your vehicle registration.

Rhode Island Address Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration

An address change on an auto registration must be completed immediately after a car owner moves to a new residential address within Rhode Island. Overall, motorists must apply for this procedure with the RI Division of Motor Vehicles, which can update its records and issue new driving credentials. Furthermore, the time limit for you to change your vehicle registration address is usually between a few days to several weeks after your move.

If you fail to update your auto registration address on time, you may be subject to certain penalties established by the DMV. Therefore, vehicle owners who want to learn how to update a vehicle registration address within a given time limit are encouraged to contact the RI DMV and learn more information about the time they have to request this procedure.

How to Change Your Address on Your Rhode Island Car Registration Online

Motorists have the option to change a car registration address online by using the service offered through the official Rhode Island DMV website. However, online requests to update your address on the DMV records will not grant you a duplicate car registration document containing your new information.

On the other hand, vehicle owners may apply for a replacement document after updating their car registration address. However, this procedure may only be requested in person at a local DMV office. In order to begin the online procedure for an address update on a vehicle registration, individuals need to provide the following:

• Your valid RI driver’s license
• Your current vehicle registration

Note: The same online DMV portal used for changing a car registration address may be used for car owners to update their current license plate design.

How to Change Your Address on Your Rhode Island Car Registration in Person

Vehicle owners may change car registration addresses in Rhode Island by appearing in person at a nearby RI DMV location. Drivers who want to perform an address change on a car registration need to appear at the DMV and present their current vehicle registration card, valid driver’s license and proof of car insurance.

Furthermore, certain applicants may also be required to submit a completed application form when updating a car registration address in RI. However, this is only a requirement if you wish to obtain a duplicate copy of this credential that displays your new address.

How to Change Your Address on Your Rhode Island Car Registration by Mail

A Rhode Island address change on a car registration is a procedure that vehicle owners may perform by sending a completed application form to the RI DMV mailing address. In addition to the application form, car owners who want to change an auto registration address by mail must also provide an acceptable payment method for the applicable fees, such as checks or money orders.

When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in Rhode Island

Many motorists wonder how to change a car registration address in Rhode Island, but also when the right time to request this procedure is. In order to establish the appropriate time for updating your address in this credential, it is important to note that you may be able to request this procedure during a vehicle registration renewal instead. As a general rule, car owners are required to change an auto registration address after they move to another residential address within the state, in order to update the RI DMV records with their current personal information.

However, prior to changing a car registration address, it is advantageous to check the expiration date of your credentials, as you may be able to perform an address change during your renewal process. It is generally beneficial to change your vehicle registration address in Rhode Island while you renew your credentials, as two different procedures can be performed at once.

Rhode Island DMV Address Change Fees

In order to finalize the procedure of changing a car registration address in Rhode Island, you will be required to pay certain applicable fees. However, these fees will vary based on whether you wish to obtain a replacement credential at the same time, or if you strictly want to update your DMV records. As an example, motorists who are updating a car registration address and replacing their credentials may be required to pay fees for that duplicate copy.

Conversely, the RI DMV may not impose any fees to vehicle owners who simply want to change a car registration address without applying for a duplicate registration card. The cost of a duplicate registration is $18.50.

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