What California Requires When You Move

California law requires you to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of moving to a new address. The DMV uses your registration address to send renewal notices, violation notices, and registration documents. If you do not update it, those notices go to your old address and you may miss critical important date.

You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The online method is fastest and works if you have a valid California driver's license or ID card and access to your vehicle's registration number. If you cannot use the online system, the mail and in-person routes both work but take longer.

Key Takeaways

  • California gives you 10 days after moving to update your address with the DMV, and the fastest way is through the online system at dmv.ca.gov if you have a valid driver's license.
  • You need your vehicle's registration number (found on your registration card or renewal notice) and your California driver's license or ID card number to change your address online.
  • If you mail the change, use Form REG 14 and send it to the DMV address listed on the form; processing takes two to three weeks.
  • Changing your address does not cost money, but if your registration is expiring soon, you may need to renew it at the same time.
  • If you move out of state or let your registration expire before updating your address, you will need to handle the change differently and may face additional steps.

Changing Your Address Online

The DMV's online system is the fastest route and requires no paperwork or waiting. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Register" or "Sign In" if you already have an account, and choose the option to change your vehicle information. You will need your California driver's license or ID card number, your vehicle's registration number, and your vehicle identification number (VIN).

The system will ask you to confirm your current address on file, then enter your new address. Once you submit, the change takes effect when ready and you will receive a confirmation email. The DMV will mail you an updated registration card within two weeks. This method works only if your driver's license or ID is valid and not expired.

Changing Your Address by Mail

If you cannot use the online system, you can mail a change-of-address request to the DMV. read or request Form REG 14 (process for Replacement of Registration Card), fill in your new address, and mail it to the DMV office that serves your county. The form lists the correct mailing address for your region.

Include your current registration card or a copy of it if you have one. Processing takes two to three weeks. You do not need to include payment—address changes are free. If your registration is expiring within the next few months, consider renewing it at the same time to avoid a second trip or mailing.

Changing Your Address in Person at a DMV Office

You can walk into any DMV office and update your address on the spot. Bring your current registration card and a valid form of ID. The staff will process the change when ready, and you will leave with an updated registration card or a receipt confirming the change.

In-person visits are useful if you need the change done the same day or if you have other registration matters to handle at once. Wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DMV website for your local office's hours and current wait times before you go.

What Happens If Your Registration Is Expiring Soon

If your registration expires within 60 days of your move, you can renew and change your address together. This is often simpler than doing them separately. You can renew online at dmv.ca.gov, by mail using Form DL 44, or in person at a DMV office.

If you change your address first and then renew, the renewal notice will go to your new address. If you renew first and then change your address, the DMV will update your file and send future notices to the new address. Either order works, but doing both at once saves time.

Changing Your Address If You Moved Out of State

If you moved out of California, you must surrender your California registration and register your vehicle in your new state. You cannot straightforward change your address with the California DMV. Contact your new state's motor vehicle agency to register your vehicle there.

If you still own property in California or plan to return, you may be able to keep a California registration under certain conditions, but this is rare and requires proof of residency. Contact the California DMV directly to ask about your specific situation.

What to Do If You Missed the 10-Day Window

If more than 10 days have passed since you moved and you have not updated your address, change it as soon as you can. There is no penalty for being late, but you risk missing important notices from the DMV. If you receive a renewal notice at your old address, it may not reach you in time, and your registration could expire without your knowledge.

Use any of the three methods above—online, mail, or in person—to update your address now. If your registration has already expired, you will need to renew it as well. The DMV will process both changes together if you handle them at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my address if I only moved within California?

Yes. The 10-day requirement applies whether you moved across town or across the state. The DMV needs your current address to send all registration-related mail to the right place.

Can I change my address if my driver's license is expired?

You cannot use the online system with an expired driver's license. Use the mail or in-person method instead. Bring your expired license and another form of ID to a DMV office, or mail Form REG 14 with a copy of your registration card.

How long does it take to get an updated registration card after I change my address?

If you change your address online or in person, the DMV mails you an updated card within two weeks. If you mail the change, allow two to three weeks for processing plus mailing time. You can drive legally while waiting for the new card to arrive.

What if I change my address online but then move again before the new card arrives?

Change your address again using the same method. Each time you submit a change, the DMV updates your file and mails a new card. You only need to do this once per move, but if circumstances change, you can update it again at any time.

Is there a fee to change my address?

No. Address changes are free. You do not pay anything whether you change it online, by mail, or in person. If you are also renewing your registration, that renewal has a fee, but the address change itself costs nothing.