What You Pay for a California Registration Sticker Replacement

A replacement registration sticker (also called a validation sticker or renewal sticker) costs $20 when you order it from the California DMV. This is the standard fee as of 2024. You pay this fee whether you lost the sticker, it was damaged, or it became unreadable.

The $20 covers only the sticker itself and the processing to mail it to you. If you need the sticker because your registration has expired or you have other registration issues, you may owe additional renewal or penalty fees on top of the $20 sticker replacement fee. Those fees depend on how long your registration has been expired and your vehicle type.

You cannot get a replacement sticker in person at a DMV office. The DMV mails replacement stickers only, which means you must order by mail, phone, or online and wait for delivery.

Key Takeaways

  • A replacement registration sticker costs $20 and can only be ordered by mail, phone, or online — not in person at a DMV office.
  • The $20 fee is separate from any renewal fees or late penalties you may owe if your registration itself has expired.
  • Mailed stickers typically arrive within two to three weeks of your order.
  • You need your vehicle registration number and current registration card to order a replacement sticker.

How to Order a Replacement Sticker by Mail

To order by mail, fill out Form REG 156 (process for Replacement Registration Sticker). You can read this form from the California DMV website or request it by mail. Include a check or money order for $20 made payable to "Department of Motor Vehicles." Do not send cash.

Mail the completed form and payment to the DMV address listed on the form itself — the address varies by county. Include your vehicle registration number on the form so the DMV can match your request to your account. Mail delivery typically takes one to two weeks, and the DMV then processes your order and mails the sticker, so total time is usually two to three weeks.

Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you do not receive the sticker within four weeks, contact the DMV to confirm they received your order.

Ordering a Replacement Sticker by Phone or Online

You can order a replacement sticker by calling the California DMV at 1-800-777-0133. Have your vehicle registration number and current registration card ready. The DMV will take your $20 payment by credit or debit card over the phone. Processing and mailing take the same two to three weeks as a mail order.

Some county DMV offices also accept online orders through the California DMV website. Visit dmv.ca.gov and look for the option to order a replacement sticker. Not all counties offer online ordering yet, so phone or mail may be your only option depending on where you live.

When You Need a Replacement Sticker

You need a replacement sticker if the one on your vehicle is missing, faded, torn, or unreadable. California law requires a visible registration sticker on your vehicle, and a missing or illegible sticker can result in a citation. If a peace officer cannot read your sticker clearly, you may be stopped.

Do not assume you need a new sticker just because your registration is expiring soon. If your current sticker is still readable and your registration is current, you do not need to replace it. When your registration renews, the DMV will mail you a new sticker as part of the renewal process at no extra charge.

Sticker Replacement Versus Registration Renewal

A replacement sticker ($20) is different from a registration renewal. If your registration has expired or is about to expire, you need to renew your registration, which costs more than $20 and depends on your vehicle type and county. When you renew, the DMV includes a new sticker in the renewal packet at no additional cost.

If your sticker is damaged but your registration is still current, you only pay $20 for the replacement sticker. If your registration has expired, you must renew first (paying the renewal fee), and then you can order a replacement sticker if needed. Do not order a sticker replacement if what you actually need is a registration renewal — the sticker alone will not make your registration legal.

What Happens If You Drive Without a Visible Sticker

Driving with a missing, illegible, or expired registration sticker is a violation of California Vehicle Code Section 4000. An officer can cite you for this violation even if your registration itself is current. The citation is typically an infraction, not a misdemeanor.

If you are cited, you can show proof that you ordered a replacement sticker and it is in the mail. Keep documentation of your order (the receipt from your phone call, a copy of the mailed form, or a confirmation email) in your vehicle. This does not may provide the officer will not cite you, but it may help if you contest the citation later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement sticker at a DMV office instead of waiting for mail?

No. The California DMV does not issue replacement stickers in person at any office. Mail, phone, and online are the only options. If you need a sticker urgently, phone ordering is fastest because you can pay when ready and the DMV begins processing right away.

Do I have to pay $20 if my sticker fell off because of a defect?

Yes. The $20 fee applies to all replacement stickers regardless of why the original is missing or damaged. The DMV does not waive the fee for stickers lost due to weather, manufacturing defect, or accident.

What if I ordered a replacement sticker but my registration expires before it arrives?

You must renew your registration separately. A replacement sticker order does not renew your registration. If your registration expires while you are waiting for the sticker, renew your registration first, then order the replacement sticker if the new registration sticker is also damaged or missing.

Can I order a replacement sticker if my registration is suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot order a replacement sticker if your registration is not active. You must resolve the suspension or revocation with the DMV first, then order the sticker.

How long does it take to receive a replacement sticker after I order it?

Mailed stickers typically arrive within two to three weeks of the DMV receiving your order. Mail delivery to the DMV takes one to two weeks, so total time from mailing your form to receiving the sticker is usually three to four weeks. Phone and online orders process faster but still take two to three weeks for mailing.