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How to Handle a Change of Address in California

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

If you are a California resident and have changed addresses or plan to do so in the near future, you must have the address information updated on your license, vehicle registration and title certificate. You are also required to notify your insurance provider of your new address.

REPORTING A CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO THE DRIVER LICENSE DIVISION

You must notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles of a change in address within 10 days of moving to a new residence, and to obtain a replacement driver license. Reporting a change of address to your DMV office is simple, and can be done in person, via mail, or online. If you are a commercial license holder, apply in person at your local driver license office.

Reporting an address change in person:

  1. Locate the DMV office nearest to you.
  2. Bring your current license, vehicle registration number and social security number along with proper identification to prove your citizenship or legal presence.
  3. Fill the Change of Address Form (DMV 14).
  4. The change of address is free of charge if applied for a change of address certificate card. If you want a license with the new address then you must apply for a duplicate license that will cost you $22.
  5. You will receive a Change of Address Sticker.

Reporting an address change by mail:

  1. Complete the change of address form and mail it to the following address: 
    DMV Change of Address
P O Box 942859
Sacramento

CA-94259-0001

  1. The change is made free of charge.
  2. Your change of address sticker to be affixed to the back of your license will arrive via mail.
  3. Until you receive the same, you must write the new address, sign and date it and keep it along with the license and not tape it or staple it to the license.

Reporting an address change via the Internet:

  1. You can report a change of address online by visiting GoRenew and following the instructions carefully.
  2. The change can be made free of charge.
  3. You will require your latest driver license or ID card, vehicle registration number, social security number and details of the old and new address and if the vehicle is leased then the name of the leasing company.
  4. It takes three business days for the records to be updated in the DMV office and you can verify the transaction after three days by choosing the option - ‘Check Status Update'.
  5. You must keep in mind that if you use this option then renewal of the license must be made in person only.

ADDRESS CHANGE ON YOUR VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION

  1. You must notify your DMV office of a change of address and have this information updated on your California Vehicle Title and Registration certificate. This must be done within 10 days of moving to a new address, since this will allow you to receive your renewal notice and any other correspondence in a timely fashion.
  2. You can either report the change of address in person by visiting your DMV office, or via mail, and your records will be updated at no charge. You can also choose to report the change of address online for free. All major credit cards are accepted.

NOTIFYING YOUR INSURANCE SERVICE PROVIDER OF AN ADDRESS CHANGE

  1. You must also notify your insurance provider of your change of address, so that you receive timely information regarding due dates for payments, renewals, and other communication.
  2. To save time and money, some California drivers who change addresses choose to obtain a free quote for new auto insurance instead of changing the address with their current insurance provider. Not only does this save the hassle of contacting and notifying the current insurance company, but it could potentially save hundreds of dollars by identifying companies that offer lower rates and/or better coverage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reviews of How to Handle a Change of Address in California

Submitted by paintrmama on Mon, 07/18/2011 - 17:22.

This is not the California DMV!!! This is the DMV: www.dmv.ca.gov (http://www.dmv.ca.gov) !!! www.dmv.com (http://www.dmv.com) is just a web site claiming to help people with things pertaining to the DMV! Quit yelling at the people here as if they had anything to do with DMV incompetence! All these people have done wrong is not update their links and give what I consider rather useless information. I'm having trouble with an address change myself and this site is not at all up to date. But it's frustrating to see how many adults think this is the actual DMV.

Submitted by over it on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 16:28.

Dmv is a joke! I sent in my registration renewal payment at the beginning of march, from my current address, they sent my stickers to a house I haven't lived in for 2 years! I went to change my address online and I can't. It's funny how they send the bill to the right address but they can't figure out how to send my stickers to the same address they sent the bill to. FAILURES!!!

Submitted by dmcdonald on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 21:43.

I have been waiting for my license for 2 months and still have not recieved it. The mailman sent it back to the DMV! now I can't change the address online or talk to anyone at the DMV to have it resent to my house. PATHETIC! You can't cash your employment checks without ID so thanks for the paper one that I cannot use!!!!!!

Submitted by pjandqc on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 00:54.

My daughter took the drivers test in Nov 2010 called in Jan they said the postman sent it back and that they were resending it now its July 2011. Still no drivers license she is going to just go pay 30 dollars and have it sent to another address and hopefully she will finally get it she is 18 and in college and she really need it to drive with the temp has expired twice already its not the postman its the dmv.

Submitted by kylebk on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 06:33.

Link still does not work. Thanks for your ASSistance DMV

Submitted by randomguy on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 01:41.

I went in to go renew my driver's license and I specifically told the guy at the desk to keep my home address the same. When I received my driver's license, it showed my apt. address that I don't live in anymore and now I'm trying to renew on here as well. Just like everyone else, the link is not working for me. The DMV system is just flat out BS.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 20:56.

This is rediculous. So this is our tax dollars at work?

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/21/2011 - 18:36.

This link is useless.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 17:07.

Still useless.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/29/2011 - 22:32.

Still useless

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 04/02/2011 - 19:57.

The 'GoRenew' link does NOT work on the DMV website. Why am I not surprised? Heavy sigh.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 22:27.

None of the links work on the dmv website.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 18:19.

Please correct this link so that we can update our addresses via Internet. Why does everything at the DMV have to be so complicated!?

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/28/2011 - 22:07.

link still doesn't work!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 22:12.

THE LINK DOESN'T WORK TO FOR THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS ON CA LICENSES. PLEASE FIX - THANK YOU

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 18:23.

The link for the On-line address change does not work. Why?

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 18:48.

Gov. Brown!!! Pull your head out and fix your DMV Website. It doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 18:48.

Gov. Brown!!! Pull your head out and fix your DMV Website. It doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 04:31.

It would be nice if the link to change your address would work....I've tried numerous times. Any suggestions?

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 00:39.

I totally understand. Im trying to get my address changed because I moved and the lady I called on the phone told me to go on the Internet and fix it. She gave an overview and said to have a nice day. So yipee, I thought, how hard could that be? It's impossible!!!!! They need to fix this, pronto, or I'm going to flip. I'm honestly thinking I should just go to the office and wait in the line that stretches forever just for something that could be a quick fix. GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 02/20/2011 - 16:47.

i went in to the local office to renew my license and filled out the form and paid my renewal fee your office put my new license under the old address even thought i put my new correct address on the form i would like to get that straightened out how would i need to go about that since it was their fault i don't feel i should have to pay to have my correct address on my license i live in eureka california my e-mail address is tad61 @suddenlink.net please let me know what process i need to do to correct this thank you sincerely patty deage

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 19:31.

I can't renew online. the link doesn't work!

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/03/2011 - 21:59.

I WAS TOLD I cannot renew my registration until my change of address is complete, however, there is no DMV sponsored link to change my address. How am I supposed to submit a change of address to you online???

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 19:37.

i bought a id card and never received it , i have a new address also...

Submitted by mmblue on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 03:53.

I paid for my license but have not recieved it in the mail how do I check if they have the correct address.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 22:28.

I recently mailed a driver license renewal and i haven't received it yet. I am pretty sure i mailed it out around the end of November. I am concerned that my new license has been mailed out to my old address, because i requested a change of address on the back of the renewal form. Please email me at deannango94@yahoo.com if you find out any information, thank you.

Submitted by dharris on Wed, 08/19/2009 - 08:31.

I put in a change of address for myself and my spouse/Claude Davis also for our vehicles as he did not receive his Drivers License I am concerned if the Dept. received it. Please send respnse to e-mail harrisdelta@yahoo.com

Submitted by ginakainz on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 22:21.

Hi

I would like to know if thier is a confirmation notice once you made a change of address I didn't see this. I did see that I can check status of the change after three days online, since I provided an email will I hear from the department of the chabges? I would appreciate a response thank you. ginakainz@YAHOO.COM

Submitted by ampisue on Wed, 03/25/2009 - 00:05.

Hi,

I could not find the catagory for CUSTOM LISENCE PLATES. Can you please tell me where to look in your forms or what catagory to look under? Please reply at ampisue@yahoo.com. Thanks.