How Do I Replace My California Department of Motor Vehicles Registration Letter?

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged registration card or letter doesn't have to be difficult. The California DMV can help you with filling out the right forms and the website has many tips that can better streamline the request process. Please feel free to visit the organization's website for more details.

Adam Goldkamp is the editor / author responsible for this content.
Dec 9, 2022

Since Henry Ford founded his namesake company in 1903, the advent of the automobile has exceeded all expectations and has become a valuable extension of our lives. One thing that has remained the same is also the most mundane: keeping your car's registration on record with your state's DMV. You used to have to go in person or mail in forms, but now you can go online for almost every type of task including replacing lost, stolen or damaged registration letters or cards. This guide will show you how to replace your California Department of Motor Vehicles registration letter.

Replacing Your Registration Card

If you need to replace the registration card or stickers, you will need your car's license plate number and the VIN. You will also need to choose to either replace the card only or the card and the sticker, along with the reason you're replacing them. Please note that there is a fee with replacing registration stickers and cards.

To replace one or both of these important documents, please visit the California DMV website and click the vehicle registration tab and then the replace registration card option. Follow the prompts to submit your request.

Another Important Document

As important as a registration card and stickers are, people looking for a registration letter might also need the California Certificate of Title. This document also contains important information like the owner's name and address, the date the vehicle was registered and its VIN, make, model and value. If you need another copy of this, you'd need to visit the Rush Title Processing section located under Vehicle Registration. Please note that there are fees that need to be paid with check, money order or cashier's check. Cash, debit and credit cards are not accepted. Your local DMV office also cannot expedite this type of request, the forms must be mailed in.

If this service is unavailable, you might check with the original lienholder for an additional copy of the title. The California DMV also has a listing that contains all the banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions current and no longer in business.

You can also call the California DMV customer service here if you have any questions or concerns.

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Adam has been tirelessly trying to help customers find the best tips and tricks to get through phone trees and writing many guides for prickly customer service problems. He's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Inside Edition and Bloomberg.
How Do I Replace My California Department of Motor Vehicles Registration Letter?

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