REG 156 is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application that registered owners use to ask for replacement license plates, stickers, registration cards and other vehicle or vessel documents. It covers items that were lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, or that never arrived. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original form is published by the DMV, and the completed application goes to a DMV office or the DMV mailing address.
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What is REG 156?
Form REG 156, Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents, is the California DMV form a registered owner completes to request replacement of license plates, stickers, registration cards, placards and similar items that were lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, or not received.
Section 2 of the form lists what can be replaced:
- License Plates, Year Sticker, Year Month Sticker, Registration Card and Planned Non-Operation (PNO) Card;
- Disabled Person Placard and Disabled Person ID Card;
- Vessel (Boat) Year Sticker, Vessel Certificate of Number and Vessel Mussel Fee Sticker;
- PFR Sticker, CVRA Weight Decal and CVRA Year Sticker;
- Trailer or OHV ID Card.
Section 3 records why the item is needed (lost, stolen, destroyed/mutilated, not received from DMV, not received from prior owner, surrendered, special plates retained by the owner, a registration card with a current address, or another reason you explain). Section 4 applies only when the address differs from DMV records and plates are stolen or missing. Section 5 is the owner's certification and signature.
The form notes that a fee applies to replace most items. It is not a change-of-address form: if your address has changed, the form says to submit the appropriate Change of Address form.
Who needs to file REG 156?
The registered owner of record of the vehicle or vessel uses Form REG 156 when a plate, sticker, card, placard or certificate has to be replaced. Section 1 asks for the owner's true full name or business name and, if there is one, the co-owner. A person signing for a company enters a title next to the printed name in Section 5.
Specific groups:
- Owners whose plates, stickers or documents were lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, or never received from the DMV or from the prior owner.
- Owners of special plates (personalized, disabled person, disabled veteran) who kept them and need the matching replacement items.
- Owners who only want a registration card showing their current address.
- Owners of stolen or missing plates whose address differs from DMV records: Section 4 applies and the form requires an appearance in person at a DMV office.
Do not use this form to report a new address. The form says to submit the appropriate Change of Address form for that.
When to file REG 156
File Form REG 156 once you know an item needs replacing: it was lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, or it did not arrive. The form prints no deadline of its own.
If the item was not received from the DMV, allow 30 days from the issue date before reapplying. If a missing plate, sticker or placard is later found or received, the original is no longer valid and must be destroyed or returned to the DMV.
Where the address on the form differs from DMV records and plates are stolen or missing, the form requires you to appear in person at a DMV office with the documents listed in Section 4. For stolen or missing plates, the owner must also immediately notify a law enforcement agency when two plates are missing, or when one plate is missing for a single-plate commercial truck tractor, motorcycle or trailer.
Documents you need
- Proof of ownership, original or photocopy (Certificate of Title, Registration Card or Registration Renewal Notice): required in person when plates are stolen or missing and your address differs from DMV records.
- Your Driver License or Identification Card: required in person under the same Section 4 condition.
- A copy of the police report stating the plates were stolen: required under Section 4 when the plates were stolen.
- A CHP verification of the vehicle identification number (VIN): required under Section 4 if duplicate license plates were issued within the last 90 days.
- The remaining license plate: must be surrendered to the DMV when one plate is missing on an automobile, two-plate commercial vehicle or pick-up.
- Remnants of the plate(s): must be surrendered to the DMV when the plates were destroyed or mutilated.
- A copy of a police report, court documentation or other law enforcement documentation: the form states it is required per CVC §4467 where that box in Section 3 applies.
How to fill out REG 156
Skip the DMV use only box
The top-right block marked DMV USE ONLY (DL/ID/OL number, number of plates surrendered, techs initials, office, date, ID #) is for the DMV. Leave it empty.
Enter the vehicle information
Fill in the VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE/CF NUMBER, MAKE and VEHICLE ID NUMBER/HULL ID NUMBER. Add the DISABLED PERSON PLACARD NUMBER and BIRTH DATE, IF DP PLACARD, and the ENGINE NUMBER (MOTORCYCLES ONLY), where they apply.
Complete Section 1 owner details
Print the TRUE FULL NAME (LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE) or business name and the driver license/ID card number. Add a co-owner if there is one.
Enter addresses and county
Give the physical residence or business address with apartment/space/suite number, city, state and ZIP code, and the county of residence or where the vehicle/vessel is primarily garaged. Add a mailing address only if it differs from the physical address.
Check items in Section 2
Check each box for the item you need replaced, such as License Plates, Registration Card, a sticker, a placard or a vessel certificate. You may check more than one.
Explain why in Section 3
Check the reason box or boxes: Lost, Stolen, Destroyed/Mutilated, Not Received from DMV, Not Received from Prior Owner, Surrendered (One or Two plates), Special Plates were Retained by Owner, Requesting Registration Card with Current Address, the CVC §4467 box, or Other with an explanation.
Complete Section 4 if it applies
Complete Section 4 only if your address differs from DMV records and plates are stolen or missing. Check One license plate missing, or Two license plates are missing or one for a single-plate commercial truck tractor, motorcycle, or trailer.
Read and complete the certification
In Section 5, print your true full name, your title if you sign for a company, and a telephone number. The certification states that the mailing address is valid and accurate, and that you declare the information true under penalty of perjury.
Sign, date and add email
The registered owner signs on the line marked X, enters the date and an email address.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every section is complete and that Section 4 documents are ready if needed. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it through one of the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit REG 156
The form says to complete all sections and either submit it to any DMV office or mail it to the DMV.
- In person: take the completed form to any DMV office. This is required when Section 4 applies, that is, when plates are stolen or missing and your address differs from DMV records.
- By mail: send it to DMV, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001.
A fee applies to replace most items. The form does not state amounts: check dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133 for current fee information. Questions about the form itself also go to DMV Customer Service at that number.
If you are replacing plates that were destroyed or mutilated, the remnants must be surrendered to the DMV. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving sections blank: the form says to complete all sections, and the privacy notice states that all information is mandatory and missing information may lead to rejection of the application.
- Using REG 156 to report a new address; the form says to submit the appropriate Change of Address form instead.
- Mailing the form when Section 4 applies: with stolen or missing plates and an address different from DMV records, you must appear in person at a DMV office.
- Reapplying for an item not received from the DMV before 30 days have passed from the issue date.
- Keeping or using the original plate, sticker or placard after the replacement was requested; once the original is found, it is no longer valid and must be destroyed or returned to the DMV.
- Not surrendering the remnants of destroyed or mutilated plates, or the remaining plate when only one is missing on an automobile, two-plate commercial vehicle or pick-up.
- Signing for a company without entering the title in the TITLE IF SIGNING FOR COMPANY box, or leaving the owner signature and date blank in Section 5.
- Giving a mailing address that is not valid and accurate; Section 5 certifies it as a valid address for service of process.
Frequently asked questions
What is the REG 156 form used for?
REG 156 is the California DMV's Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents. A registered owner uses it to replace license plates, stickers, registration cards, placards and similar items that were lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, or not received.
Where do I submit the REG 156 form?
Submit it to any DMV office or mail it to DMV, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. If plates are stolen or missing and your address differs from DMV records, you must go in person to a DMV office.
Is there a fee to replace plates or stickers with REG 156?
Yes, the form says a fee applies to replace most items. It does not list amounts. Check dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133 for current fee information before you submit.
What do I do if my license plates were stolen and my address changed?
Complete Section 4 and appear in person at a DMV office with proof of ownership, your driver license or ID card and a copy of the police report. If duplicate plates were issued in the last 90 days, bring a CHP verification of the VIN.
How long should I wait before reapplying for an item I never received?
The form says to allow 30 days from the issue date before reapplying for an item not received from the DMV. Use the Not Received from DMV box in Section 3 when you do.
What happens if I find the original plate or sticker after requesting a replacement?
The original is no longer valid. REG 156 says that for a missing license plate, license sticker or Disabled Person Placard, an original item located or received later must be destroyed or returned to the DMV.
Can I use REG 156 to change my address?
No. The form says that if your address has changed you should submit the appropriate Change of Address form. REG 156 only lets you request a registration card with your current address in Section 3.
Can I fill out REG 156 online?
You can fill out the REG 156 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the DMV and does not submit the form; you still take it to a DMV office or mail it to the DMV.
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