How to Fill Out California Form REG 156 (w/Examples) + FAQs

California Form REG 156, the Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REV. 11/2024), is the single form a registered owner files with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to replace lost, stolen, mutilated, or illegible license plates, year stickers, registration cards, titles, disabled person placards or ID cards, CVRA weight decals, and vessel stickers. The form is short, but the consequences of filling it out wrong are not — a missed signature, a wrong box, or a forgotten police report can stop your replacement cold and leave you driving with a citation risk under California Vehicle Code §5200.

The California DMV processes millions of vehicle registration transactions each year, and according to the DMV’s vehicle registration procedures manual, replacement and duplicate requests are among the highest-volume non-renewal transactions. Replacement plate fees alone account for tens of millions of dollars in annual DMV revenue, and rejection of a REG 156 for a missing signature or wrong fee is one of the most common reasons mailed packets bounce back to filers.

Here is what this guide will walk you through:

• 📝 What every line, box, and section of REG 156 actually asks and how to answer it
• 🚓 Exactly when a police report or CHP verification is required and where to attach it
• 💵 The current replacement fees for plates, stickers, titles, and placards
• 🏢 Every filing channel — DMV office, mail, online portal, and DMV Virtual Office
• 🧾 Three full filled-out examples for the most common scenarios California drivers face

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

REG 156 is the official Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The form authorizes the DMV to issue a duplicate or substitute item in place of one that has been lost, stolen, mutilated, made illegible, or destroyed. It covers a wide list of items, including standard and special license plates, year stickers, vessel (boat) stickers and certificates of number, registration cards, certificates of title (often called the pink slip), CVRA weight decals and year stickers, disabled person parking placards, and disabled person ID cards.

The registered owner of the vehicle, vessel, or placard must complete REG 156. A lessee cannot file it alone unless their name appears on the registration as the registered owner. For jointly owned vehicles where the names are joined by and, every owner must sign; for vehicles joined by or, a single owner’s signature works. The DMV will reject the form if the wrong owner signs, so check your registration card before filling in Section A.

The form ties to several California Vehicle Code sections that drive each item type. Replacement plates and stickers fall under CVC §4457, duplicate titles fall under CVC §4467, and substitute special plates fall under CVC §4458. The two-plate display rule that makes plate replacement urgent in the first place comes from CVC §5200, which requires both front and rear plates on most passenger vehicles.

If the original plate, sticker, or placard is later found, DMV’s vehicle industry manual makes clear the original is no longer valid and must be destroyed or returned to DMV. Driving on the recovered plate after a replacement was issued can lead to an officer running it as suspect plate in the system. That mismatch can trigger a stop, a citation, or even a tow in extreme cases.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Pull the following items together before you open the REG 156 PDF. Missing even one of these can force you to re-mail your packet, restart in person, or pay extra fees.

• Your current registration card. You will need the license plate number, VIN, registration expiration date, and exact owner name as it appears on DMV records. If your registration is expired, the DMV may bundle renewal fees with your replacement request.
• Your California Driver License or ID card. Required at any in-person filing. Out-of-state filers must show a passport or other secondary ID per the DMV’s replacement page.
• The remaining license plate (for plate replacements). If only one plate was lost or stolen, the surviving plate must be surrendered when new plates are issued, because the new pair will carry a brand-new plate number.
• A police report. Required by CVC §4467 when plates, stickers, or placards are stolen. Include the law enforcement agency name, case number, and date reported.
• Proof of vehicle ownership. A photocopy of the Certificate of Title, Registration Card, or Registration Renewal Notice is required if your address differs from DMV’s records.
• Lien release (REG 166), if applicable. If you are requesting a duplicate title and a lienholder has been satisfied, you must include a Lien Satisfied/Title Holder Release (REG 166) so the new title prints clean.
• CHP Verification of Vehicle (REG 31), if applicable. Required if replacement plates were issued to your vehicle within the last 90 days, per CVC §4457. The form is completed by California Highway Patrol after a VIN inspection.
• Payment. A personal check or money order made payable to DMV for mail-in filings, or a credit/debit card or cash at a field office. Mail-ins should never include cash.
• Daytime phone number and current mailing address. The DMV may call to clear up missing data, and the new title or registration card mails to the address you list on the form.

The DMV’s online replacement portal handles many simple sticker and registration card replacements without a REG 156, so check eligibility before mailing the paper form. Vehicles with non-standard plates, recent address changes, or stolen plates still need REG 156 in paper form.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The current revision is REG 156 (REV. 11/2024), and the official PDF lives on the California DMV forms portal. Always download from dmv.ca.gov rather than third-party sites — older third-party copies floating online may be the REV. 7/2005 version, which the DMV still accepts but which lacks the newer CVRA weight decal checkbox and updated mailing instructions.

You can also pick up a paper REG 156 at any DMV field office. Field office counters keep stacks of pre-printed forms next to the courtesy desk, and a clerk can hand you one with a clipboard and pen if you walk in. The form is printed in English on the front; Spanish-language assistance is available at most offices, but the form itself must be filled out in English.

For accessibility, the DMV PDF is fillable on a desktop browser. You can type each field, save the file, and print it for signature. Wet ink signatures are still required — the DMV does not accept typed-in signature fonts on REG 156, even when the rest of the form is filled in digitally.

A common misconception is that REG 156 can be e-signed and emailed. The DMV does not accept emailed REG 156 submissions; the form must be hand-delivered, mailed, or processed at a counter. Filers who try to email it back to a clerk after a phone conversation are routinely told to start over.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out REG 156 Line by Line

The form is one page with five lettered sections plus a header block. Work through each in order, because skipping a box and circling back is the most reliable way to forget a signature or fee. The instructions below match the field labels on the REV. 11/2024 PDF word-for-word.

Header: License Plate / Vessel CF Number, Vehicle/Vessel ID Number, Make, Year Model

This top block identifies the vehicle or vessel the replacement is for. The DMV uses these four data points to pull your record before any clerk looks at Section A.

Enter the plate number exactly as it appears on the plate, including any spaces, in all capital letters. For vessels, enter the CF number from the bow. Then enter the full Vehicle Identification Number (or Hull Identification Number for a vessel), the make abbreviation as DMV records it (such as TOYT for Toyota or FORD), and the four-digit model year.

For example, Maria Lopez writes 8ABC123 in the license plate box, 4T1B11HK5KU000000 in the VIN box, TOYT in the make box, and 2019 in the year box for her 2019 Toyota Camry.

A common nuance is partial VINs. Some older registration cards print only the last six digits, but REG 156 requires the full 17-character VIN. Pull the VIN from the dashboard plate or door jamb sticker if your registration card is incomplete.

The most common mistake on the header is transposing two digits in the VIN. The DMV’s record system will not match a VIN that is off by one character, and the packet bounces back stamped unable to locate record. Filers then wait two to four extra weeks to refile.

A misconception is that the plate number alone is enough to identify the vehicle. It is not — DMV indexes by VIN first, plate second, and a missing or wrong VIN will stop processing even when the plate number is perfect.

Section A: Printed Name(s) of Registered Owner of Record

Section A captures the owner’s legal name as it sits in DMV records. This is the field that controls who can sign Section E later.

Print the full legal name of every registered owner shown on the registration card, in the same order. If the card lists MARIA G LOPEZ AND JUAN R LOPEZ, write both names with the same conjunction. Use the legal name from your driver license, not a nickname or business DBA.

For example, Maria Lopez prints “MARIA G LOPEZ” in Section A because her registration card lists only her name.

The nuance here involves business owners and trusts. If the vehicle is titled to LOPEZ FAMILY TRUST DTD 03/14/2010, that exact trust name goes in Section A and the trustee signs in Section E with their title noted.

A common mistake is dropping a co-owner’s name when the plates are only registered to one driver in practice. If both names are on the registration, both must appear in Section A. Otherwise the DMV cannot tell whether you have authority to act for the missing owner.

The misconception is that the primary owner can act alone. With and registrations, every owner must sign — there is no primary. With or registrations, any one owner can act, but Section A must still list all owners.

Section B: Plates, Stickers, Documents Request

Section B is the heart of the form. It is the box-checking block where you tell the DMV which item you want replaced.

Check every box that applies. The boxes include License Plates, License Sticker, Registration Card, Certificate of Title, Disabled Person Placard, Disabled Person ID Card, Vessel Sticker, Vessel Certificate of Number, CVRA Weight Decal, and CVRA Year Sticker. Use a clear black or blue ink mark — DMV scanners sometimes miss faint pencil checks.

For example, Janet Rivera checks the License Plates box and the License Sticker box because both her plates and her current year sticker were stolen along with her car’s tags.

A nuance is that month stickers are replaced for free and do not require a REG 156 at all, per the DMV’s procedures manual section 20.085. Year stickers do require the form and a fee.

The most common mistake is checking License Plates when the filer actually only needs a year sticker. That mistake triggers an unnecessary plate replacement fee and a brand-new plate number you did not want. Many drivers do not realize the new plates carry a different number until the new pair arrives.

The misconception is that checking more boxes speeds the process. It does not — checking extra boxes adds extra fees and may force the DMV to surrender items you wanted to keep.

Section C: Reason for Replacement

Section C asks why you need a replacement. This drives whether a police report, court documentation, or other backup must accompany the form.

Check one of the listed reasons: Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, Illegible, Never Received, or Other. If you check Other, write a one-line explanation in the space provided. Be specific — “destroyed in house fire” or “damaged by car wash brushes” reads cleaner than vague language.

For example, Marcus Chen checks the Other box and writes “destroyed in house fire 02/12/2026” because his pink slip burned with the rest of his paperwork.

A nuance is that Stolen triggers extra paperwork. CVC §4467 requires a copy of the police report or other law enforcement documentation, which gets stapled to the back of REG 156. The agency name, case number, and date reported also go in Section D.

A common mistake is checking Lost when the item was actually stolen. Filers often pick Lost to avoid extra paperwork, but if the plate later surfaces in a crime, the DMV record showing Lost can complicate insurance and police reports later.

The misconception is that Mutilated and Illegible are interchangeable. They are not — Mutilated means physical damage, while Illegible means the printing has faded or worn off. Choose the one that matches what the clerk will see when you surrender the item.

Section D: Law Enforcement Agency, Case Number, Date Reported

Section D only matters when you check Stolen in Section C. Leave it blank for any other reason.

Enter the full agency name (such as Los Angeles Police Department or California Highway Patrol — Sacramento), the case or report number assigned by the agency, and the date you filed the report in MM/DD/YYYY format. Pull each of these from the police report itself rather than from memory.

For example, Janet Rivera writes “Sacramento Police Department” as the agency, “SPD-2026-04421” as the case number, and “04/18/2026” as the date reported in Section D.

A nuance is that some agencies issue an online “counter report” rather than a full investigation. Counter reports are still acceptable as long as they list the plate number as stolen and bear an agency case number. Print the online counter report and attach it.

The most common mistake is leaving Section D blank while still checking Stolen in Section C. The DMV cannot process a stolen-plate replacement without the case number and date — the packet returns to you with a note to add the missing data.

The misconception is that a CHP traffic incident report counts as a theft report. It does not. The report must specifically identify the plate, sticker, or placard as stolen.

Section E: Signature of Registered Owner, Printed Name, Date, Daytime Telephone

Section E is the certification block. Your signature here states under penalty of perjury that the information on the form is true.

Sign in wet ink in the Signature of Registered Owner line. Print your name beneath the signature, write today’s date in MM/DD/YYYY format, and add a daytime phone number where the DMV can reach you with questions. If two owners are listed in Section A and the registration is joined by and, both must sign.

For example, Maria Lopez signs her name, prints “MARIA G LOPEZ,” writes “05/26/2026,” and lists her cell phone “(916) 555-0142” in Section E.

A nuance is power of attorney. An attorney-in-fact can sign Section E if you attach a DMV REG 260 power of attorney granting authority over the specific vehicle.

The most common mistake is signing in pencil or with an erasable pen. The DMV rejects erasable signatures because they cannot be authenticated. Use a black or blue ballpoint.

The misconception is that an electronic signature is acceptable. It is not on REG 156 — the wet signature requirement is firm, and emailed PDFs with typed signatures are returned without processing.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

The three scenarios below cover the most common reasons Californians file REG 156. Each table shows what the named filer enters in each major section of the form.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — One Lost Rear License Plate

Maria Lopez owns a 2019 Toyota Camry registered solely in her name. She noticed her rear plate was missing after a road trip and could not find it anywhere. She files REG 156 by mail.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
License Plate Number	8ABC123
Vehicle ID Number (VIN)	4T1B11HK5KU000000
Make / Year Model	TOYT / 2019
Section A — Registered Owner	MARIA G LOPEZ
Section B — Item Requested	Checks License Plates (both will be reissued with a new number)
Section C — Reason	Checks Lost
Section D — Law Enforcement	Leaves blank
Section E — Signature, Date, Phone	Signs in ink, prints name, writes 05/26/2026, lists (916) 555-0142
Attachments	Surviving front plate surrendered with packet, check for current plate replacement fee

Scenario 2: Marcus Chen — Duplicate Title After House Fire

Marcus Chen’s 2017 Honda Civic title burned in a kitchen fire. The car has no lienholder. He files REG 156 by mail to request a duplicate Certificate of Title.

Form Section	What Marcus Enters
License Plate Number	7XYZ456
Vehicle ID Number (VIN)	2HGFC2F59HH000000
Make / Year Model	HOND / 2017
Section A — Registered Owner	MARCUS T CHEN
Section B — Item Requested	Checks Certificate of Title
Section C — Reason	Checks Other and writes destroyed in house fire 02/12/2026
Section D — Law Enforcement	Leaves blank (no theft)
Section E — Signature, Date, Phone	Signs in ink, prints name, writes 05/26/2026, lists (415) 555-0177
Attachments	Photocopy of CA Driver License, check for duplicate title fee

Scenario 3: Janet Rivera — Both Plates and Sticker Stolen

Janet Rivera’s 2022 Ford F-150 had both plates and the year sticker pried off overnight. She filed a police report the next morning. She walks into a DMV field office to file REG 156 in person.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
License Plate Number	9JKL789
Vehicle ID Number (VIN)	1FTEW1EP8NF000000
Make / Year Model	FORD / 2022
Section A — Registered Owner	JANET M RIVERA
Section B — Item Requested	Checks License Plates and License Sticker
Section C — Reason	Checks Stolen
Section D — Law Enforcement	Sacramento Police Department / SPD-2026-04421 / 04/18/2026
Section E — Signature, Date, Phone	Signs in ink, prints name, writes 05/26/2026, lists (530) 555-0188
Attachments	Police report copy, CA Driver License shown at counter, fee paid by debit card

How to File the Completed Form

REG 156 can be filed through three main channels: in person at a DMV field office, by mail to DMV headquarters in Sacramento, or — for limited cases — through the DMV Virtual Office or the online replacement sticker portal. Each channel has different costs, processing times, and proof-of-filing options.

To file in person, book an appointment at any California DMV field office, bring the completed REG 156, your driver license, the surviving plate (if any), and any required attachments such as a police report. Pay the fee at the counter by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Most field offices issue substitute year stickers and registration cards on the spot, and they will mail interim plates within seven to ten business days while permanent plates print at the central facility. Keep the receipt the clerk hands you — it is your proof of filing and your temporary authority to drive while waiting.

To file by mail, send the completed REG 156, surrendered plate (if any), required attachments, and a check or money order for the correct fee to Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. Never mail cash. Processing time runs roughly four to eight weeks for plates and titles, and the new item arrives at the address you wrote on the form. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof of filing — without it, you have no record that the DMV received your packet if the new plates never arrive.

To file online when eligible, visit the DMV’s online replacement portal and pay the replacement fee with a credit or debit card (a 2.3% service fee applies). The online portal handles most standard plates, year stickers, and registration cards but rejects requests involving stolen plates, address changes, special interest plates, disabled person placards, and CVRA decals. For those, you must use paper REG 156. The DMV emails an electronic confirmation, and the new item ships within seven to fourteen business days.

For current fees, check the DMV registration fees page or call 1-800-777-0133. As of 2026, replacement plate fees, duplicate title fees, and substitute sticker fees each fall in the low-twenties to high-twenties range per item, but the DMV adjusts these annually so always confirm before mailing your check.

What Happens After You File

After the DMV accepts your REG 156, the system flags the original item as replaced in DMV’s central database. From that moment, the original plate, sticker, placard, or title is no longer valid even if you later find it.

For plate replacements, the DMV mails interim paper plates or a temporary operating permit while metal plates are manufactured at the Folsom State Prison plate plant, where most California license plates are produced. Permanent plates typically arrive within four to eight weeks of approval. Mount them within 48 hours of receipt and surrender any remaining old plates if you have not already.

For duplicate titles, the new Certificate of Title prints in Sacramento and mails to the registered owner’s address on file. Per CVC §4467, there is also a 15-day hold on transferring a vehicle when a duplicate title is requested, which prevents fraudulent quick-flip sales. Plan around that hold if you intend to sell the vehicle.

For stickers and registration cards, the DMV mails the new item within ten business days. If your replacement fails to arrive within four weeks, call DMV at 1-800-777-0133 with your VIN and confirmation receipt to request a trace. A common nuisance is plates lost in the mail — the DMV will reissue at no extra fee, but only if you report it within the proof-of-mailing window.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

REG 156 is short, but small errors create real delays. Avoid each of the mistakes below to keep your packet moving.

• Leaving the VIN blank or entering only the last six digits — DMV cannot match the record and the packet bounces.
• Checking License Plates when only a sticker is needed — you pay an unnecessary plate fee and get a new plate number.
• Forgetting to attach a police report after checking Stolen — the application stalls until you supply the report.
• Signing in pencil or erasable ink — DMV rejects unauthenticatable signatures.
• Mailing cash instead of a check or money order — DMV will not process the application and may not return the cash.
• Skipping the daytime phone number — DMV cannot call you to clarify and the packet sits in a hold queue.
• Using a nickname instead of legal name in Section A — the names will not match DMV’s record.
• Failing to surrender the surviving plate when getting new plates — your replacement is held until you turn it in.
• Mailing to a field office address rather than P.O. Box 942869 — many field offices forward, but some return.
• Filing online when not eligible (stolen plates, special interest plates, address change) — the portal rejects the request and you must restart on paper.
• Filing with an expired registration without including renewal fees — DMV will hold the replacement until current registration is paid.
• Forgetting the REG 166 lien release for a duplicate title with a satisfied loan — the new title prints with the old lien still showing.

Do’s and Don’ts

A short list of habits that keep REG 156 moving smoothly through DMV’s system.

• Do download REG 156 directly from dmv.ca.gov to ensure you have the current REV. 11/2024 version, because older revisions lack updated checkboxes.
• Do write in capital letters with black or blue ballpoint ink, because DMV scanners read those marks more reliably than pencil or gel pen.
• Do photocopy the completed form before mailing, because the DMV will not return your original if it goes missing.
• Do mail by certified mail with return receipt, because that gives you a tracking record if the packet is lost.
• Do call 1-800-777-0133 to confirm the current fee before writing your check, because under-payment by even a dollar voids the application.
• Do keep the DMV receipt or confirmation number until your new plates or title arrive, because you will need it for any trace request.
• Don’t check Lost if the item was actually stolen, because the wrong reason can complicate later police or insurance claims.
• Don’t sign for a co-owner without a REG 260 power of attorney, because forging a co-owner’s signature is fraud.
• Don’t drive on a recovered plate after a replacement was issued, because the original is invalid the moment DMV records the replacement.
• Don’t email the form to a DMV employee, because email submissions are not accepted.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most filers handle REG 156 themselves, but registration services and DMV-approved business partners can also process it for a fee.

Pros of filing on your own

• You save the $25 to $75 service fee a registration agent typically charges per transaction.
• You retain custody of your title and supporting documents instead of handing them to a third party.
• You get direct DMV receipts as proof of filing rather than relying on an intermediary.
• You learn the DMV system, which helps with future renewals, transfers, and replacements.
• You control timing and can walk into a field office on your own schedule.

Cons of filing on your own

• Field office wait times can run two to four hours without an appointment, even with a scheduled appointment.
• You bear full responsibility for catching errors before mailing.
• A wrong fee or missing attachment costs weeks of delay you would not face with a pro.
• Mail-in filings carry mailing-loss risk you must hedge with certified mail.
• Complex situations (deceased co-owner, trust ownership, satisfied lien) can be hard to navigate without help.

FAQs

Do I need REG 156 to replace just a month sticker?

No. Month stickers are replaced free at any DMV field office or by calling 1-800-777-0133, with no REG 156 required, per DMV procedures section 20.085.

Can I file REG 156 online?

Yes. Many simple sticker and registration card replacements can be filed through the DMV’s online portal, but stolen plates, special interest plates, and address-change requests still require the paper form.

Do I write my old plate number or the new one on the form?

Yes, write the current plate number — the one that was lost, stolen, or damaged. The DMV assigns the new plate number after processing, and you do not need to know it in advance.

Do both owners need to sign Section E if registration says “and”?

Yes. When the registration joins owners with and, every named owner must sign Section E. With or, any single owner can sign alone.

Should I check “Lost” or “Stolen” if I am unsure where my plate went?

No clear answer fits both, but if there is any reason to suspect theft, file a police report and check Stolen. Filing Lost later when theft is suspected complicates insurance.

Do I need a police report for a lost (not stolen) plate?

No. A police report is required only when the Stolen box is checked under CVC §4467. Lost items do not need law enforcement documentation.

Can I keep my old plate number when getting replacement plates?

No for standard plates — replacement plates always carry a new number. Yes for personalized or special interest plates with a substitute issued under CVC §4458.

Do I need to surrender my remaining plate if only one was lost?

Yes. When standard plates are replaced, the surviving plate must be surrendered to DMV because the new pair will carry an entirely new plate number.

Is the REG 156 fee the same for every item type?

No. Plate, sticker, title, and placard replacements each carry different fees. Check the DMV registration fees page for current amounts.

Can I email a signed REG 156 PDF to the DMV?

No. The DMV does not accept emailed REG 156 submissions. The form must be hand-delivered to a field office or mailed in paper form with a wet signature.

What do I write in Section D if my plates were stolen but no police report was filed yet?

No filing should go forward without the report — file the police report first, then enter the agency name, case number, and date in Section D before submitting REG 156.

Do I need REG 166 for a duplicate title if I never had a loan?

No. REG 166 is only required when a prior lienholder has been satisfied. Owners who paid cash and never carried a lien do not need it.