REG 256A, Revised Miscellaneous Certifications, is a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form that bundles four vehicle certifications in one sheet: human habitation, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), Native American, and stolen or embezzled vehicle. You complete only the section that applies to your vehicle and sign in Section E. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the DMV publishes the original form at dmv.ca.gov.
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What is REG 256A?
Revised Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) is the California DMV form on which a vehicle owner certifies a special circumstance about a vehicle: use for human habitation, a TECO exemption, Native American status, or theft or embezzlement of the vehicle.
The form is printed under the title "Miscellaneous Certifications" and has five sections:
- Section A, certification of vehicle for human habitation (California Vehicle Code (CVC) §362).
- Section B, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) (California Revenue and Taxation Code (CRTC) §10781).
- Section C, Native American certifications for Native Americans residing on a federally recognized Indian reservation or rancheria (CVC §9104.5 and CRTC §10781.1).
- Section D, stolen or embezzled vehicle certification (CVC §4605, RTC §10858).
- Section E, the applicant's signature under penalty of perjury.
Every copy starts with the license plate/CF number, the vehicle/vessel ID number and the year/make of the vehicle. The DMV's privacy notice on the form says it uses the information to document and verify TECO revenue and taxation code requirements, Indian certifications, stolen or embezzled vehicle certifications and human habitation certifications. The form is not a registration or title application by itself; Section B refers to the photocopies being attached "to this application".
Who needs to file REG 256A?
Vehicle owners whose situation fits one of the four sections use REG 256A. The form says to complete the appropriate section(s) and sign in Section E.
- Section A: owners certifying a vehicle for human habitation, meaning living space such as closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms. The form states the vehicle will not be used for commercial purposes. It covers a new vehicle built for human habitation, a vehicle modified by a licensed van converter, and a vehicle permanently modified for human habitation or camping purposes.
- Section B: TECO, which attaches photocopies of a Tax Exemption Card and an ID card.
- Section C: Native Americans residing on a federally recognized Indian reservation or rancheria, and tribes registering a tribal vehicle. An authorized tribal council member or a Bureau of Indian Affairs official must verify residency.
- Section D: the owner or title holder of a vehicle that was stolen or embezzled, including one that has not been recovered.
Do not complete sections that do not apply to your vehicle. The form lists no one else who may sign for the applicant.
When to file REG 256A
REG 256A is used when one of its certifications is needed for a vehicle, so its timing follows the DMV transaction it supports; no separate due date is printed on the form. Section D refers to a vehicle whose owner was not in possession of it when the registration fees became due, and it records the theft date and, if applicable, the recovery date.
Section A carries a timing rule of its own: if the camper, camper shell, canopy or other structure is removed, or the vehicle no longer contains facilities for human habitation, a change in the vehicle's type license is required and weight fees are due. For questions about timing, DMV Customer Service is listed on the form at 1-800-777-0133.
Documents you need
- Section B (TECO): photocopy of a Tax Exemption Card issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
- Section B (TECO): photocopy of an ID card issued by the Department of State.
- Section C (Native American): residency verification by an authorized member of the tribal council or an official of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Government; signature and verification on tribal letterhead is acceptable.
How to fill out REG 256A
Enter the vehicle identification
At the top, enter the license plate/CF number, the vehicle/vessel ID number and the year/make of the vehicle. Then complete only the section(s) that apply.
Complete Section A for habitation
Check whether the vehicle is new or modified by a licensed van converter, or was permanently modified on a DATE by attaching a camper, converting to a motorhome, or attaching a camper shell, canopy or other structure with the listed facilities. If you bought the vehicle already modified, check that box.
Enter the Section A costs
Line 1: cost of the complete vehicle before it was modified. Line 2: cost of changes, including labor. Line 3: total value, the sum of lines 1 and 2.
Check the Section B statement
For TECO, check the box stating that photocopies of the Tax Exemption Card issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and the ID card issued by the Department of State are attached.
Complete Section C for tribes
Check that you are a tribe member living on the federal reservation or rancheria, or that the vehicle will be registered to the tribe, and mark whether it will or will not be used exclusively within tribal boundaries. Have the tribal council member or BIA official sign and add title, date, printed name and telephone number or email address.
Complete Section D for theft
Enter the date the vehicle was stolen or embezzled, describe what happened, and name the police agency that received the report. Enter the recovery date and the date you took possession, or check the box if the vehicle has not been recovered.
Sign and date Section E
Sign and date the declaration under penalty of perjury, and enter your email address and telephone number.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that each applicable section is complete and the attachments are ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and keep a copy for the DMV transaction described under How to submit.
How to submit REG 256A
REG 256A prints no mailing address, portal or office for delivery, so it is submitted with the DMV transaction it supports, as Section B's reference to the application it is attached to indicates.
- Before you send it: complete the appropriate section(s), sign and date Section E, and attach what the section requires (see the documents list on this page).
- Questions: DMV Customer Service, 1-800-777-0133. Privacy questions go to the DMV Chief Privacy Officer, 2415 1st Avenue, MS F127, Sacramento, CA 95818, or (916)657-6340.
- Where to get the form: the DMV publishes it on its forms page at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/form/revised-miscellaneous-certifications-reg-256a/.
All information on the form is mandatory, and the DMV states that failure to provide it may result in rejection of the application for vehicle certification. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the license plate/CF number, vehicle/vessel ID number or year/make at the top of the form.
- Skipping the signature and date in Section E; the form says to sign there whichever section you complete.
- Omitting the photocopies of the Tax Exemption Card and the Department of State ID card when completing Section B.
- Submitting Section C without residency verification and signature from an authorized tribal council member or a Bureau of Indian Affairs official.
- Leaving the Section C choice between 'will' and 'will not' be used exclusively within tribal boundaries unmarked for a tribe-registered vehicle.
- Removing the camper, canopy or other structure, or the habitation facilities, without changing the type license; the form says weight fees are then due.
- Leaving the cost lines in Section A blank, or not checking the box when you purchased the vehicle with the modifications already made.
- Leaving mandatory information blank; the DMV says this may result in rejection of the application for vehicle certification.
Frequently asked questions
What is REG 256A used for?
REG 256A, Revised Miscellaneous Certifications, is a California DMV form for four certifications: vehicle for human habitation, TECO, Native American, and stolen or embezzled vehicle. You complete the section that fits your vehicle and sign in Section E.
Do I fill out every section of the REG 256A form?
No. The form says to complete the appropriate section(s) and sign in Section E. Sections A through D cover different situations, so most people complete only one, plus the signature block and the vehicle details at the top.
What do I attach to REG 256A for TECO?
Section B states that photocopies of a Tax Exemption Card issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and an ID card issued by the Department of State are attached. Check the Section B box when both are included.
Who verifies residency in the Native American section of REG 256A?
An authorized member of the tribal council or an official of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Government, must verify residency. Their signature and residence verification is acceptable on tribal letterhead, with title, date, printed name and telephone number or email.
What do I enter for a vehicle that was never recovered?
In Section D, enter the date the vehicle was stolen or embezzled, what happened and the police agency you reported it to, then check the box saying the vehicle has not been recovered. Leave the recovery and possession dates empty.
What happens if I remove the camper after certifying habitation?
The form's note says a change in the vehicle's type license is required and weight fees are due if the camper, camper shell, canopy or other structure is removed, or the vehicle no longer has facilities for human habitation.
Where do I send REG 256A?
The form prints no address or portal, so it goes with the DMV transaction it supports. For questions, call DMV Customer Service at 1-800-777-0133. Incomplete forms risk rejection because the DMV treats all information on it as mandatory.
Can I fill out REG 256A 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; you submit it through the DMV's channels.
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