How to Change a Car Registration Address in Wisconsin
Vehicle owners may perform an address change on a car registration in Wisconsin through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state Department of Transportation (DOT). WI residents are required to update their address information on vehicle registration immediately after they move to another residential address within the state. Additionally, out-of-state residents also need to perform an address update process on car registration documents when they move to Wisconsin.
Motorists must make sure to change their mailing or residence information by a certain date after their move to a new place of residence. To learn more information about how to change car registration address in Wisconsin, vehicle owners are encouraged to continue reading the following sections.
Instances Where You Must Change Your Address on Your Wisconsin Car Registration
Completing an address change on a car registration in Wisconsin is a procedure that vehicle owners need to perform after they move to a new residential address within the state. Motorists need to change car registration address information when moving.
This update is essential for motorists who simply move to another residence within Wisconsin or motorists who move to Wisconsin from another state. In most cases, vehicle owners are required to update their address information for registration documents, driver’s licenses, ID cards and WI DOT records so that their current information is on file for future reference.
Note: If you fail to make any updates to address information for vehicle registration, the DOT may still have correct address information. The DOT obtains updated addresses from the U.S. Postal Service six times a year and updates driver records.
Wisconsin Address Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration
A process of changing car registration address in Wisconsin must be performed within a given time limit from the date of the move to a new residential address within the state. The WI DOT requires drivers to perform an address update on vehicle registration and other credentials within 10 days of their move to a new address.
Failure to make updates to a mailing or residential address for vehicle registration documents can result in missed DOT correspondence and potential traffic violations for incorrect registration credentials. Therefore, drivers are encouraged to learn the methods for address updates before applying the change to their credentials and WI DOT records.
How to Change Your Address on Your Wisconsin Car Registration Online
Vehicle owners may perform an online address change on car registration in Wisconsin by using the online service offered at the WI DOT, which also may be used for updating address on driver’s licenses and ID cards. In order to begin the online process of changing car registration address in WI, motorists who have a current driver’s license need to provide the following information:
- A WI driver license number or an ID card number
- Last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of birth
However, if motorists do not have a driver’s license, they may change a car registration address online by providing their entire SSN, gender, date of birth and zip code.
Note: Holders of Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) may be unable to use the online service.
How to Change Your Address on Your Wisconsin Car Registration in Person
Although the DOT recommends that motorists adjust vehicle registration information online, drivers may have to show in person at a local WI DOT office in order to apply for a replacement credential. Therefore, they are encouraged to contact the WI DOT and learn whether they may perform an address change on car registration at a WI DOT location at the same time when getting a duplicate registration card.
How to Change Your Address on Your Wisconsin Car Registration by Mail
The process of address change on a driver’s license or ID card may be completed by mail. However, the process for changing car registration address in Wisconsin is not offered by the DMV. Motorists can make sure that their license information and USPS address are up-to-date so the DMV has accurate records.
When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in Wisconsin
Individuals who are wondering whether to change car registration address in Wisconsin or to perform a vehicle registration renewal procedure need to know that both processes are different from one another. The process of changing car registration address must be performed within a given time limit from the date when drivers move to another residential address, while the renewal procedure must be completed prior to the expiration date of the credential. Vehicle owners may oftentimes choose to renew their registration cards instead of perform an address change on car registration in Wisconsin when their credentials are approaching the date of expiry.
Wisconsin DMV Address Change Fees
The ultimate step of the address change on car registration in Wisconsin may require drivers to provide payment for certain fees. In most cases, the process of changing car registration address without getting a replacement registration may not require vehicle owners to pay any certain fees.
However, individuals who want to update their car registration addresses and obtain replacement credentials need to pay fee for the duplicate. A duplicate Wisconsin title and registration costs $20.
Related Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Apply for title an/or license plates (registration) from WisconsinDOT.gov
- Vehicle Registration from WisconsinDOT.gov