Change Vehicle Registration Address in California: 3 Simple Ways (2026)
- California law requires you to update your vehicle registration address within 10 days of moving.
- There are 3 ways to do it — online at dmv.ca.gov, by mailing Form DMV 14, or in person at a DMV office.
- All three methods are completely free. No fee to update your address.
- Online is the fastest — most people are done in under 10 minutes.
- Updating your registration address does not update your driver's license. You have to do both separately.
Why You Need to Update Your Vehicle Registration Address
You just moved. There are boxes everywhere and a hundred things on your list. Updating your vehicle registration address is easy to push to the bottom — but it shouldn't be, because California actually requires it within 10 days of moving.
You won't get an immediate fine just for having the wrong address on your registration. But ignoring it leads to a quiet chain of problems that catches up with you.
Renewal notices go to your old address and you miss them. Your registration lapses without you knowing. You get pulled over with an expired registration and pay fines that could have been avoided. Legal documents miss you entirely. It's a small task with a surprisingly big impact if you ignore it.
California's DMV keeps your driver's license address and your vehicle registration address as two separate records. Updating one does not update the other. This article covers vehicle registration only. If you also need to update your driver's license address, you'll need to do that as a separate step through the DMV.
3 Methods — Quick Comparison
| Method | Best For | Processing Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online — dmv.ca.gov | Most people — quick and easy | A few days | Free |
| By Mail — Form DMV 14 | People who prefer paper | 1–3 weeks | Free |
| In Person — DMV office | Complex situations, multiple updates | Same day | Free |
All three methods are free. You only pay fees when renewing your registration or requesting a new registration card.
Method 1 — Change Your Registration Address Online
Online at dmv.ca.gov FASTEST
This is the easiest option for most people. The whole thing takes under 10 minutes from your couch. Here's exactly what to do:
- Go to dmv.ca.gov and navigate to the Change of Address section under vehicle registration services.
- Log in or create a MyDMV account if you don't already have one. It only takes a minute to set up.
- Enter your vehicle information — your license plate number and the last 5 digits of your VIN. Both are on your registration card.
- Enter your new address and confirm the update.
- Submit — you'll get a confirmation right away. The DMV system usually updates within a few days.
What You'll Need
- Your California driver's license or ID number
- Your vehicle's license plate number
- The last 5 digits of your VIN — printed on your registration card and visible through the windshield on the dashboard
- Your new address
If your registration is currently expired or suspended, the online system may block the address change until the issue is resolved. In that case, skip to Method 3 and handle it in person at a DMV office.
Method 2 — Update Your Address by Mail
By Mail — Form DMV 14 PAPER METHOD
If you'd rather not deal with anything online, the DMV still accepts address changes by mail. It takes a bit longer, but it works fine.
How to Do It
Fill out Form DMV 14 — the Notice of Change of Address. Download it from dmv.ca.gov or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill it out clearly and completely, then mail it to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001
There's no fee and no return envelope needed. Just make sure everything is filled out clearly — errors slow things down.
Mail processing takes 1–3 weeks. If your registration renewal is coming up soon, update your address online first so the DMV has your correct address before the renewal notice goes out. Mailing right before renewal is risky — the notice could go to your old address before the change is processed.
Method 3 — Change Your Address In Person at the DMV
In Person at a DMV Office SAME-DAY PROCESSING
Going in person makes sense when you have a complicated situation, need to update multiple things at once, or just prefer to handle it face to face. Your address is updated in the system the same day.
When In Person Makes the Most Sense
- Your registration is expired or suspended and needs to be resolved at the same time
- You want to update both your driver's license and vehicle registration in one visit
- You have other DMV business to take care of at the same time — title transfer, replacement documents, etc.
- You're not comfortable doing things online or by mail
What to Bring
- Your current vehicle registration card
- A document showing your new address — utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or similar
- Your California driver's license or ID
- Completed Form DMV 14 — optional, staff can help you with it there
California DMV offices can have long wait times for walk-ins. Book an appointment online at dmv.ca.gov before you go. It takes 2 minutes and saves you from sitting in a waiting room for an hour.
When you get to the counter, tell the staff you need to update your registration address. They'll verify your documents, make the change in their system, and confirm it before you leave. An updated registration card may be mailed to your new address within a few weeks.
Which Method Should You Choose?
Here's the simple version:
- Online — you want it done today, your registration is current, and you have your plate number and VIN handy. This is the right choice for most people
- By mail — you prefer paper and don't have any deadlines coming up soon. Allow 1–3 weeks for processing
- In person — you have other DMV things to sort out, your registration has a problem, or you want to update your driver's license at the same time
For the vast majority of people, online is the clear winner. It's free, takes 10 minutes, and you get a confirmation right away. The California DMV online portal has improved a lot in recent years — it's genuinely easy to use now.
Whatever method you choose, the important thing is to actually do it. The address update is free, fast, and way less painful than dealing with a missed renewal notice or an expired registration because your mail went to the wrong place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Go to dmv.ca.gov and use the Change of Address tool under vehicle registration services. You'll need your plate number, the last 5 digits of your VIN, and your driver's license number. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes and there's no fee.
Three options — online through the DMV portal at dmv.ca.gov, by mailing Form DMV 14 to the DMV in Sacramento, or in person at any DMV office. California law requires you to update your address within 10 days of moving. All three methods are free.
No — updating your vehicle registration address is completely free. Fees only apply when you're renewing your registration, replacing lost documents, or making other changes that require a new registration card to be issued.
Yes. California's DMV keeps these as two completely separate records. Updating your vehicle registration address does not update your driver's license address, and vice versa. You need to do both. To update your driver's license address, log into your MyDMV account at dmv.ca.gov or use Form DMV 14 — but select the driver's license option, not the vehicle registration one.
Online updates typically appear in the DMV system within a few days. Mail-in updates take 1–3 weeks depending on DMV processing volume. In-person updates are processed the same day you visit. If you're close to your registration renewal date, use the online method so your new address is on file before the renewal notice goes out.
- How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California Registration
- How to Register a Vehicle in California New Registration
- How to Change Your Address on a California Driver's License Driver's License
- How to Transfer a Car Title in California Title Transfer
- How to Renew a California Driver's License DL Renewal
Change your address online in minutes, download Form DMV 14, or book an in-person appointment — all at the official California DMV website.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements at dmv.ca.gov.