22.060 Lienholder/Legal Owner Omitted (CGC §818.5)
When a lienholder/legal owner (LO) name is omitted on the California Certificate of Title because it was not shown on the registration application or due to a DMV error and an application is received to correct the omission, the application must be forwarded to the Involuntary Transfer Section (ITS) in DMV headquarters.
| If the |
ITS Will |
|---|---|
| If the
Omission is a DMV error |
ITS Will
|
| If the
DMV has issued a title to a second LO due to another lien taken on the vehicle |
ITS Will
|
| If the
Title was used by the registered owner to transfer ownership of the vehicle and a new title has been issued to the buyer |
Note A courtesy stop may be placed on the vehicle record for 30 days to allow the dealer or LO to obtain a restraining order and stop the issuance of any title until a resolution can be made.
22.055 Incorrect License Plates and/or Year Sticker Issued
Procedures if incorrect license plates were issued:
| If the |
The Procedures Below Must Be Followed |
|---|---|
| If the
Error is on an application still in the office |
The Procedures Below Must Be Followed
• Line through the incorrect license plate/sticker numbers and write “Wrong Plates Issued” on the DMV file copy. • Recycle the license plates and destroy the sticker. • Issue the correct license plates/stickers and process as a clearing item. • Mail the new registration card, license plates, and stickers to the vehicle owner with a License Plate Correction (FO 37) form showing the office name and address. |
| If the
Owner received a letter from DMV headquarters requesting surrender of the license plates |
The Procedures Below Must Be Followed
• Pick up the license plates. • Indicate the number of license plates and year sticker surrendered on the owner’s letter. • Issue new license plates and stickers if all the letter’s requirements are satisfied. |
If an incorrect sticker was issued, do not attach the incorrect sticker the corrected item. The incorrect sticker should be destroyed (Refer to the Accounting Manual).
22.050 Credit From Prior Year Registration Fees
Fees paid on deposit for one registration year(s) cannot be credited to a subsequent registration year(s) unless the applicant provides substantiation that a refund of the prior year(s) fees is in order. Fees for all years must be collected if a refund is not justified.
Example: Fees were due and posted on a vehicle record in 2010. The customer returns in 2014 and the only fees generated are for 2011 through 2014. The 2010 fees are still due and cannot be applied towards 2011 through 2014 registration fees.
22.045 Correcting a Vehicle Description Error
If a vehicle owner claims a vehicle description error was made on the vehicle record and California Certificate of Title (other than motive power), the owner must submit documentation to confirm that in fact an error was made.
Note The California Certificate of Title and/or registration card are not required to correct the license plate, sticker number, motive power, or address of the registered or legal owner.
To correct a vehicle description error on a vehicle record and California Certificate of Title, the following must be submitted:
- The California Certificate of Title or Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
— If the title is held by the lienholder, the customer must submit the following documents to the lienholder for submission to DMV with the California Certificate of Title.
- A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form.
— A substantial change in the vehicle identification number (VIN) may mean the California Certificate of Title is for a different vehicle. See the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Corrections section in this chapter.
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form with the circumstances of the error or correction and if the correction is needed as result of a dealer error.
- Documentation to confirm that an error was made, such as copies of documents submitted in a prior application obtained from DMV or dealer records. The copies must show that the documents submitted with the application had correct information which was not entered on the vehicle record.
- A weight certificate for vehicles under 10,000 pounds unladen, unless DMV records or dealer documentation includes proof of the correct weight. Examples of acceptable proof are a weight certificate, a document with the correct BTM and weight, such as the weight certification on an Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form, an out-of-state title showing the empty, unladen, scale, or tare weight, and a prior California Certificate of title.
- Additional fees due, if any.
— A duplicate title fee is not charged, unless the California Certificate of Title is lost or stolen.
Note If the vehicle is changing from auto to commercial or commercial to auto, the registration expiration date will change, and weight fees may be due.
The procedure below must be followed:
- A physical inspection of the vehicle and/or documents, must be done as appropriate.
- Obtain the document(s) necessary to confirm the error.
- Process as a report of deposit of fees (RDF) requesting the missing items if the applicant does not provide all the necessary documents and fees.
- Must be processed as a clearing item if all the necessary documents and fees are provided, unless special handling by DMV headquarters is required.
See the California Certificate of Title Held by the Lienholder/Legal Owner or the Body Type Correction sections in this chapter for further instructions.
22.040 Changes to Engine or Fuel Type/Motive Power
A motive power (MP) change must be referred to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Center when the new MP is not the same as originally equipped, as indicated by the vehicle identification number (VIN) decoding program.
The BAR Referee Center will inspect the vehicle to verify and/or approve the new MP change. BAR will issue a smog exemption on the vehicle record if the MP exempts the vehicle from smog certification.
Do not refer the vehicle to BAR if:
- The MP change indicated is the same MP as originally equipped as indicated by a VIN decode. Correct the MP to what the VIN decode indicates.
- Keying type transaction code (TTC) A00, and the vehicle was converted to an alternate fuel type prior to the sale. Change the MP to what is recorded on the Report of Sale.
The procedure below must be followed:
Refer inquiries regarding engine changes or fuel type/MP changes to:
BAR 1-800-952-5210
Bar Referee Center 1-800-622-7733 or www.asktheref.org
BAR Internet website smogcheck.ca.gov
Refer customers to contact the California Air Resources Board (CARB) at 1-800-242-4450 prior to making any alterations to the emission control system configurations.
For customers who already made an engine change, including those to a different fuel type/MP (Example gas to electric), the vehicle must be referred to the BAR Referee Center. BAR will notify DMV of any permanent smog exemptions after inspecting the vehicle.
22.035 Changing the Body Type Model (BTM) and/or Weight
Changes made by the current owner— To change the BTM and/or weight when modifications or alterations were made by the current owner.
The following must be submitted:
- The California Certificate of Title or Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
- A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form (completed after the change/alteration has taken place).
- Statement of Facts (REG 256) form with the Statement for Vehicles Body Change section completed by the owner.
- Evidence of purchase or ownership of the added parts. This may be the original on copies of bills of sale, invoices, sales slips, etc. A bond may be required if the owner does not have evidence for parts valued over $4,999.
Note If a used body was removed from a different vehicle owned by the applicant and placed on the vehicle, the applicant must explain that on the REG 256. The license plate number of the vehicle from which the body was removed must be given.
- A weight certificate for the altered vehicle, unless the vehicle is one of the exceptions to the weight certificate requirement shown in the Weight Certificate Exceptions section in Chapter 13.
- Additional weight fees if the altered vehicle falls into a higher weight class.
Note If the change is due to a DMV or dealer error, see the Correcting a Vehicle Description Error section in this chapter.
Determine if an additional weight fee is due. If due, prorate both the new weight fee and the old weight fee for the reminder of the registration year and then subtract the prorated old weight fee from the prorated new weight fee.
Note A refund of weight fees cannot be given when the altered vehicle falls into a lower weight class.
Changes made by a prior owner—To change the BTM and/or weight when the owner acquired the vehicle with a BTM and/or weight which differs from that shown on the California Certificate of Title, the following must be submitted:
- The California Certificate of Title or Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
— If the title is held by the lienholder, the applicant must submit the following documents to their lienholder for submission to DMV with the California Certificate of Title. - A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form, unless the body type can be verified from the vehicle identification number (VIN) using a National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Passenger Vehicle Identification Manual or Commercial Vehicle Identification Manual.
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating the vehicle was acquired with its current BTM and/or weight and no body changes or alterations were made since acquiring the vehicle.
- For commercial vehicles weighing:
— Less than 10,001 pounds unladen, a weight certificate.
Note A weight certificate is required even if the correction is for BTM only (changing the BTM could alter the weight of the vehicle).
— 10,001 pounds unladen or more, a Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form and a REG 256 with the estimated unladen weight.
- Additional fees due, if any.
— A replacement title fee is not charged, unless the California Certificate of Title is lost or stolen.
The procedures below must be followed:
- The body type must be verified using an NICB manual if a REG 31 is not submitted with the application.
- If the body type can be determined from the NICB manual, “body type OK per VIN” must be written on the application.
- Must be processed as a clearing item, unless special handling by DMV headquarters is required
Note If the vehicle is changing from auto to commercial or commercial to auto, the registration expiration date will change, and weight fees may be due.
22.030 Change or Correction of Registered Owner Name (VC §§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 Replacement 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 Is | And Is | The Following Must Be Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| If the LO IsAn individual | And IsN/A | The Following Must Be SubmittedThe Name Statement portion of the Statement of Facts (REG 256) form completed by the owner. |
| If the LO Is A business | And IsOperating as a corporation | The Following Must Be SubmittedA 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. |
| If the LO IsOperating in partnership | And Is A REG 256 completed by the owner stating there is no change in the business entity. | |
| If the LO IsOwned by an individual |
Note A change in business entity or structure is a transfer, not a name change. Use tax or a Certificate Vehicle, Mobile home, 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 replacement 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 Replacement 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.
22.025 Change or Correction of Registered Owner Address (VC §§4159, 4160, 4453, and 14600)
Registered owners are required to notify DMV of a change of address or address correction within 10 days by submitting a fully completed Change of Address (DMV 14) form to the DMV’s address shown on the form or online at dmv.ca.gov.
The California Certificate of Title and/or registration card are not required to be submitted and new documents are not issued.
The following must be submitted:
- A DMV 14.
- Print the correct address on the registration card and initial the entry.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Date line stamp the DMV 14.
- Forward all DMV 14 forms to DMV headquarters with the miscellaneous work.
Note Do not update DMV 14 address changes.
22.020 Change or Correction of Lienholder/Legal Owner Name (VC §§4150 and 4453)
The lienholder/legal owner (LO) 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 the LO 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 Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
— The LO new name must be printed on the back of the title; however, a signature is not required.
— The LO address must also be shown on the back of the title. - A name change document as follows:
| If the LO Is | And Is | The Following Must Be Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| If the LO IsAn individual | And IsN/A | The Following Must Be SubmittedThe Name Statement portion of the Statement of Facts (REG 256) form completed by the owner. |
| If the LO Is A business | And IsOperating as a corporation | The Following Must Be SubmittedA copy of the Board of Director’s Resolution authorizing the change. • Accept one copy for a fleet. Attach it to the title for one of the vehicles. • Make the notation “Name Change, Refer to License # (show #)” on each of the other titles. |
| If the LO IsOperating in partnership | And Is A REG 256 completed by the owner stating there is no change in the business entity. | |
| If the LO IsOwned by an individual |
Note A change in business entity or structure is a transfer, not a name change.
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, if applicable. No fee is due solely for a name change.
The following must be submitted to DMV headquarters:
- The California Certificate of Title or Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
- The Name Statement portion of the Statement of Facts (REG 256) form completed by the owner.
- A duplicate title fee, if applicable. No fee is due solely for a name correction.
Correction of Name—The following must be submitted:
- The California Certificate of Title or a completed REG 227.
- The Name Statement portion of the REG 256 completed by the owner.
- A duplicate title fee, if applicable. No fee is due solely for a name correction.
The Procedures below must be followed:
- Must determine the name 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 must be lined through on the front of the title.
- 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.
22.015 Change or Correction of Lienholder/Legal Owner Address (VC §4159)
DMV must have current address information on lienholder/legal owner (LO) records to ensure proper notification for various types of actions. An LO is required to notify DMV of a change of address within 10 days.
The applicant must submit one of the following:
- A completed Notice of Change of Address (DMV 14) form.
- A letter on the LO’s business letterhead that clearly states, “this is a request for a legal owner change of address,” and includes the:
— Name and new address of the LO.
— Vehicles to be updated listed by make, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
— Name(s) of the registered owner(s) of the vehicles.
LO change of address requests online at dmv.ca.gov or on the DMV 14 or the LO’s business letterhead must be mailed to the address on the DMV 14:
DMV Change of Address
PO Box 942859
Sacramento, CA 94259-0001