Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 23 of 38

Chapter 22: Corrections and Adjustments

22.030 Change or Correction of Registered Owner Name

Chapter 22 Corrections and Adjustments

22.030 Change or Correction of Registered Owner Name (CVC §§4150 and 4453)

The registered owner’s true full name must be shown on the California Certificate of Title and/or registration card. The certificates and vehicle record must be corrected if an owner’s name changes or is shown incorrectly on the certificates.

Change of Name—the following must be submitted:

  • The California Certificate of Title or an Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
    — The owner’s new name must be printed on the back of the title; however, a signature is not required.
    — The lienholder/legal owner name and address (if any) must also be shown on the back of the title.
  • If an out of state title is not available, the goldenrod registration with an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form completed with both names must be submitted.
    Example: Cindy Jones aka Cindy Smith.
  • A name change document as follows:
If the LO IsAnd IsThe Following Must Be Submitted
An individualN/AThe Name Statement portion of the Statement of Facts (REG 256) form completed by the owner.




A business
Operating as a corporationA copy of the Board of Director’s Resolution authorizing the change.

The following must be accepted:
• One copy for a fleet.
• The title attached for one of the vehicles.
• Must have the notation “Name Change, Refer to License # (show #)” on each of the other titles.
Operating in partnership
A REG 256 completed by the owner stating there is no change in the business entity.
Owned by an individual

A change in business entity or structure is a transfer, not a name change. Use tax or a Certificate Vehicle, Mobilehome, or Commercial Coach of Use Tax Clearance (CDTFA-111) from the California Department Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and smog certification may be required if the business structure changes. Example: The addition or loss of a partner, change from a partnership to a corporation, or merger of two or more corporations are business structure changes.

  • A duplicate title fee and/or renewal, if applicable. No fee is due solely for a name change.

The procedure below must be followed:

  • The application must be processed as a clearing transaction, unless special handling by DMV headquarters is required.

Correction of Name—The following must be submitted:

  • The California Certificate of Title or an Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
  • The Name Statement portion of the Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.
  • Duplicate title and/or renewal fees, if applicable. No fee is due solely for a name correction.

The procedure below must be followed:

  • The name must be determined that it is actually incorrect. Some names cannot be printed on the certificates exactly as written or shown on an application because DMV’s Automated Name Index (ANI) would not recognize the name correctly in its divided/hyphenated state. In such cases, the name is correct as shown and it is important to explain this to the owner.

Example: Divided or hyphenated surnames, such as De La Cruz or White-Smith, would appear on the certificates as DELACRUZ or WHITESMITH. This does not apply to separated business or company names.

  • The incorrect name on the front of the title must be lined through.
  • The correct spelling of the name must be clearly printed above the incorrect name.
  • No entries on the reverse side of the title must be made.
  • Must be processed as a clearing item, unless special handling by DMV headquarters is required.