ADM 9050 is the Appointment of Director as Agent for Service of Process, a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form on which a person who has applied for a DMV license names the Director of Motor Vehicles as the agent who can receive legal process for them. The principal signs it, and the signature is acknowledged before a notary public or, on the form's second block, a DMV or California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by the California DMV at its forms page.
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What is ADM 9050?
Appointment of Director as Agent for Service of Process (ADM 9050) is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form in which a principal who has applied for a license appoints the Director of Motor Vehicles as the agent on whom legal process may be served.
By signing, the principal agrees to three things printed on the form:
- Process arising from any claim for damages caused by a violation of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) or of any condition of the principal's bond may be served on the Director.
- When personal service cannot be made in California after due diligence, service can be made on the Director, or on any State of California employee in charge of the Director's office if the Director is absent. That service has the same legal force as personal service on the principal.
- The appointment lasts for the period covered by any license the DMV issues, and for as long afterward as the principal may be made to answer in damages for a CVC violation or a breach of a bond condition.
For venue, service on the Director is treated as service on the principal in the county where the principal has, or last had, an established place of business.
The form carries two acknowledgment blocks: a Notary Certificate of Acknowledgement and a DMV/CHP Officer Acknowledgement of Signature. The top right has a DMV USE ONLY box for the O L NUMBER. The form is not a license application; it is the appointment that goes with one.
Who needs to file ADM 9050?
The principal, meaning the person or business that has applied for a license from the California DMV, completes and signs ADM 9050. The form has a blank for the type of license, and a space for the principal's true full name or names and any DBA (doing business as) names.
The printed note cites CVC sections 11102(a)(5)(C), 11202(a)(6)(C), 11403(d) and 11710(d) for the rule that the instrument appointing the Director as agent for the applicant must be acknowledged by the applicant before a notary public.
Where more than one principal is named, the form uses the wording "I/We" and the signature line is headed Signature of Principal. The form does not describe who may sign for a principal, such as an officer or an agent, so ask the DMV before another person signs.
The notary or the DMV/CHP officer does not complete the principal's part of the form. Each of them only completes the acknowledgment block that applies.
When to file ADM 9050
The form is completed when you are a principal who has applied for a license from the DMV, since its text names the principal as someone "who has applied for a license." No separate due date is printed on it.
Sign it only when you are in front of the person who will acknowledge it. The notary certificate states that the signer "personally appeared," and the DMV/CHP officer block states that the officer witnessed the signature on that day.
The appointment lasts for the period covered by any license the DMV issues, and afterward for as long as the principal may be made to answer in damages for a CVC violation or a breach of a bond condition. The form sets no renewal cycle. For timing tied to your specific license application, check with the DMV.
How to fill out ADM 9050
Enter the principal's name and DBA
In the first blank after "I/We," write the Principal's True Full Name(s) and DBA(s). Use the legal name, with any DBA names.
State the type of license
In the blank after "has applied for a license as a," enter the Type License the principal applied for.
Read the appointment and agreements
The printed text appoints the Director of Motor Vehicles as agent for service of process and states how long the appointment lasts and how venue is set. Make sure you accept these terms before signing.
Leave the DMV box blank
The DMV USE ONLY box with the O L Number is for the DMV. Do not enter anything there.
Enter the date and sign
Enter the date at "IN WITNESS WHEREOF," then sign on the line marked Signature of Principal, in front of the notary or DMV/CHP officer.
Have the signature acknowledged
A notary completes the Notary Certificate of Acknowledgement (county, date, name of the person who appeared, signature and seal). Alternatively, a DMV or CHP officer completes the Acknowledgement of Signature block with the date, city, name and title.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the names, license type and dates, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF so the acknowledgment can be added and the form delivered as the DMV directs.
How to submit ADM 9050
The form prints no mailing address, portal or office for returning it. Its acknowledgment blocks tell you where the signature is made:
- Notary public: the notary completes the Notary Certificate of Acknowledgement after you appear and sign.
- DMV or CHP officer: an officer completes the Acknowledgement of Signature block. The form's note says DMV and CHP officers and employees may acknowledge signatures and administer oaths, and that no fee is charged for this (CVC section 18).
Once the form is signed and acknowledged, deliver it the way the DMV directs for your license application, because the form names no channel of its own. The DMV publishes the form at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/form/appointment-of-director-as-agent-for-service-of-process-adm-9050/. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing the form before meeting the notary or DMV/CHP officer; the acknowledgment blocks state that the principal personally appeared or that the officer witnessed the signature.
- Leaving the notary or officer block blank; the form's note says the appointment must be acknowledged by the applicant before a notary public.
- Leaving the TYPE LICENSE blank, so the form does not say which license the principal applied for.
- Writing only a trade name; the first blank asks for the principal's true full name(s) and any DBA(s).
- Filling in the DMV USE ONLY box with the O L number; that area is reserved for the DMV.
- Omitting the date at the signature line ("IN WITNESS WHEREOF… the") or the date in the acknowledgment blocks.
- Completing both the notary certificate and the DMV/CHP officer block with different people, instead of using the block that applies.
Frequently asked questions
What is ADM 9050 used for?
ADM 9050 is the California DMV form on which a license applicant appoints the Director of Motor Vehicles as agent for service of process. Legal process in claims for damages caused by a California Vehicle Code violation or a bond condition can then be served on the Director.
Does ADM 9050 have to be notarized?
The form's note says the instrument appointing the Director as agent must be acknowledged by the applicant before a notary public, citing CVC sections 11102(a)(5)(C), 11202(a)(6)(C), 11403(d) and 11710(d). The form also has a block for a DMV or CHP officer to acknowledge the signature.
Can a DMV or CHP officer witness my signature on ADM 9050?
Yes, the form includes an Acknowledgement of Signature block for a DMV or CHP officer. Its note says DMV and CHP officers and employees may administer oaths and acknowledge signatures, and no fee is charged (CVC section 18).
How long does the appointment on ADM 9050 last?
It lasts for the period covered by any license the DMV issues to the principal, and afterward for as long as the principal may be made to answer in damages for a California Vehicle Code violation or a breach of a bond condition.
Who is the principal on ADM 9050?
The principal is the person or business that applied for the license. The form asks for the principal's true full name or names and any DBA names, and the principal signs on the line labeled Signature of Principal.
Where do I send ADM 9050 after it is signed?
The form prints no address, portal or office. Deliver it the way the California DMV directs for your license application, and check the DMV forms page where the form is published if you are unsure.
Can I fill out ADM 9050 online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the DMV and does not file the form, notarize it or send it; the notary or officer acknowledgment and the delivery to the DMV happen outside FillingPDF.
What revision of ADM 9050 is this?
The form on this page is printed ADM 9050 (REV. 7/2015). The DMV publishes it on its forms page, so check there if you need to confirm that it is still the current edition.
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