Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Washington D.C.

Vehicle registration information in Washington, D.C. may need to be updated after a residential move, a legal name change, incorrect registration details, a vehicle purchase, a move into the District, or the loss of a registration card, sticker, or tags. Registration records are administered centrally by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles, which processes these transactions through its online services and DC DMV service center locations rather than through county or designated-agent offices.

Washington D.C. Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

A registration review may be required when any of the following occurs:

A residential address has changed. DC DMV requires that address changes be reported within 60 calendar days of a move to keep records current.
A legal name has changed. DC DMV advises that any change of address or name change be completed prior to vehicle registration renewal.
The registration card or sticker has been lost, damaged, or needs replacement. A duplicate registration card or sticker can be requested online or in person.
A vehicle has been purchased, transferred, or newly brought into the District. District law requires that all vehicles housed and operated in the District be registered with the DC DMV.
Tags must be transferred to a newly acquired vehicle or surrendered when a vehicle is sold, donated, moved out of the District, or when insurance coverage ends.

Where to File a Washington D.C. Vehicle Registration Change

Registration transactions are handled directly by DC DMV. Duplicate registration card and sticker requests, tag transfers, and tag surrenders may be available online, while original title and registration transactions are completed in person at a DC DMV service center.

The District does not use county licensing offices or designated agents. Both the registration record and the certificate of title are processed by DC DMV, so a transaction that affects ownership information on the title is completed through the same agency at a service center.

Washington D.C. Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

DC DMV provides an official change of address process with three filing methods:

Online — available to holders of a DC DMV REAL ID credential, with two proof-of-residency documents uploaded and the change of address fee paid after approval.
By mail — available to holders of a REAL ID or Limited Purpose credential, using the completed driver application form, two proof-of-residency documents, and the correct fee. Mail requests are processed within 7–10 business days from receipt.
In person — at a DC DMV service center, presenting the completed application, two residency documents, and payment.

An approved address change is applied to the driver license or identification card and to the vehicle registrations on file, and the updated address is shared with the DC Board of Elections. Co-owners listed on a vehicle registration must each apply for their own change-of-address, and a temporary address or PO Box may not be listed as a residence.

Washington D.C. Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change affects both credential and vehicle records. The DC DMV’s name changes and corrections process requires that the name first be updated with the Social Security Administration, after which the change is completed in person at a DC DMV service center. The current DC driver license, learner permit, or identification card must be presented along with one of the following original documents, as photocopies and scanned documents are not accepted:

Certified marriage certificate
Divorce decree
Official US court change-of-name document

Because the name on the registration record must be up to date before renewal, the change should be completed as soon as the supporting documents are available. The certificate of title is a separate legal document establishing ownership, and altered titles are not acceptable. A change to ownership information on a title is therefore handled through a new title transaction using the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, submitted at a service center with the required supporting documents.

Correcting Incorrect Information on a Washington D.C. Registration Record

The correction path depends on the record involved:

Registration card or sticker. A replacement registration card or sticker may be requested online when the registration expires more than 10 calendar days in advance, the replacement fee is paid, and the address or name on file is current. In all other cases, the request is made in person at a service center, and the duplicate registration card and sticker are mailed within 10 business days. A registration sticker removed from the windshield displays “VOID,” and displaying a voided sticker is illegal.
Vehicle tags. Under DC DMV’s tag replacement procedure, tags that are lost, stolen, or worn are replaced at a service center upon presentation of the DC vehicle registration card, a valid DC credential, and the existing tags. A Metropolitan Police Department report is required for stolen tags.
Certificate of title. Incorrect information on a title is not corrected by marking the document. The owner completes a title transaction at a service center, and a duplicate title is available when the original is lost, stolen, or issued with a satisfied lien.

Washington D.C. Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

Several DC DMV deadlines and requirements may affect a registration update:

Address changes must be reported to DC DMV within 60 calendar days of a move.
A new District resident has 60 calendar days from the date of beginning to live in DC to register the vehicle, after first converting the out-of-state driver license to a DC credential. Students, diplomats, active duty military members, part-time residents, and similar groups may instead apply for a reciprocity permit.
Any change of address or name change must be completed before a vehicle registration renewal.
Continuous insurance coverage must be maintained for as long as a vehicle is registered. Under the District of Columbia’s Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, every person applying for registration in the District must hold valid DC vehicle insurance. If coverage terminates for any reason, the vehicle tags and registration must be surrendered to DC DMV immediately.
A lapse in required coverage results in suspension of the vehicle registration or reciprocity sticker and assessment of insurance lapse fees that increase over time, beginning at $150.00 per day for days 1–30 and then $7.00 per day up to $2,500.00.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in Washington D.C.?

Registration Change or Service	Fee
Legal name change (replacement title)	$30.00 (Vehicle Title and Excise Tax Fees; Vehicle Title Replacement/Duplicate)
Incorrect information on the record (replacement registration card)	$30.00/yr (Vehicle Registration Fees)
Duplicate/replacement title for a lost, misplaced, or damaged title	$30.00 (Vehicle Title and Excise Tax Fees)
Vehicle purchase	$30.00 title fee, plus excise tax of 1.0%–11.0% of fair market value based on weight and MPG, plus registration by weight class ($70.00/yr for a Class I passenger vehicle of 3,499 lbs or less, fees effective March 30, 2026) (Vehicle Title and Excise Tax Fees; Vehicle Registration Fees)
New state residency	$30.00 title fee, plus excise tax, plus registration by weight class, due within 60 calendar days of moving to the District (Registration of a New or Used Vehicle; Vehicle Title and Excise Tax Fees; Vehicle Registration Fees)
License plate transfer to another vehicle	$12.00 tag transfer fee (Vehicle Registration Fees)

Contact Information

District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles
95 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 737-4404
Official Website: District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles