Changing a car registration address in DC is a procedure that must be performed by vehicle owners through the Washington DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). An address change on car registration documents is a process that must be completed after vehicle owners change their places of residence. Moreover, individuals must update DMV record with new address information within a given time limit from the date they move to another location.

An address change must be performed by both permanent residents who have moved within the state and by out-of-state residents who have recently moved to DC. For more information about updating registration documents with a new address, motorists can continue reading the following sections.

Instances Where You Must Change Your Address on Your Washington DC Car Registration

Vehicle owners may perform a Washington DC address update on car registration when they have recently moved to a new residential address within the state. Both in-state and out-of-state residents needs to submit changes to vehicle registration records upon their move to a new address in DC. Moreover, individuals may also perform an address change on car registration when they notice that the information written on their vehicle registration cards contains mistakes.

Updating any errors helps motorists avoid future inconveniences. Therefore, residents are encouraged to learn how to change car registration address in Washington DC as soon as they change their place of residence in order to have their DMV records updated for future reference.

Washington DC Address Change Time Limits for Updating Your Car Registration

Vehicle owners who are wondering when and how to make any DMV updates to their vehicle registration address are required to perform the information change within a certain time limit established by the DMV. The DC DMV mandates drivers to perform an address update on a car registration within 60 calendar days from their move to a new residential address. Note that the DMV may process and mail the new documentation within two weeks of the driver’s submission.

How to Change Your Address on Your Washington DC Car Registration Online

Motorists may be eligible to change car registration address online by using the services offered through the DC DMV website. This option is only available if they hold a Real ID or a Limited Purpose credential. In order to begin the online address change on car registration in DC, vehicle owners need to provide the following information:

  • Identification type
  • Driver’s license/ID card number
  • Last five digits of the social security number (SSN)
  • First and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Email address

In addition to the information listed above, the DC DMV may require drivers to upload certain residency documents when using the online service. Therefore, prior to changing car registration address online, DC motorists make sure to prepare documentation that will prove DC residency.

How to Change Your Address on Your Washington DC Car Registration by Mail

Individuals who hold either a Real ID or a Limited Purpose credential may also perform an address update on vehicle registration in Washington DC via mail. Vehicle owners who want to make address updates to their DMV registration documents by mail need to prepare two proofs of residency, a completed application form and a check or money order for the applicable fees. Once you collect the required documentation for an address change on car registration in DC, send it to the DC DMV mailing address.

How to Change Your Address on Your Washington DC Car Registration in Person

Motorists may also update a vehicle registration address in Washington DC by visiting a nearby DC DMV branch in person, regardless of whether they hold a Real ID or a Limited Purpose credential or not. Holders of Real ID or a Limited Purpose credentials may perform a process of address change on car registration by submitting two proofs of DC residency, a completed application form and payment for the applicable fee to a DC DMV location.

However, when updating auto registration address and applying for either a Real ID card or a Limited Purpose credential, applicants may be required to submit additional documents such as proof of identity, proof of social security number (SSN) and proof of DC residency.

When to Renew Instead of Update Your Registration in Washington DC

Vehicle owners need to change auto registration address in DC after they move to another residential address in order to have correct personal details on file with the DC DMV. However, if they are planning to perform a DMV address update to a car registration and their credential is about to expire, drivers may choose to perform a car registration renewal process, instead of simply changing their address.

For more detailed information about the process of changing car registration address in Washington DC and about whether to renew instead of update a credential, individuals may contact the DC DMV and learn more details.

Washington DC DMV Address Change Fees

To finalize a Washington DC address change on car registration process, vehicle owners may be required to pay certain fees. In many cases, drivers who are changing car registration address may not be required to pay fees for an update without getting a replacement registration card.

However, motorists who want to both change car registration address and replace their current credentials may be required to pay fees for the duplicate car registration. A duplicate registration card costs $20 per year.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.