Updating your address with the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (AZ...
MVD) is a mandatory legal requirement for vehicle owners to ensure all official correspondence, registration renewals, and title documents are sent to the correct location. This process is a core component of responsible vehicle ownership and maintaining accurate DMV titles, as an outdated address can lead to missed renewal notices, late fees, and complications during a vehicle sale or transfer. The AZ MVD requires notification within 10 days of moving, and failure to do so can result in penalties, including citations if your registration expires without your knowledge. Completing this update ensures your vehicle record is synchronized with your current residence, which is crucial for law enforcement verification and receiving critical safety recalls. Verifying the VIN before any title-related transaction is essential to avoid fraud and discover the vehicle's complete history. Utilize a reliable VIN verification service to obtain a detailed report including accidents, mileage, liens, and more.
The legal framework for address changes on DMV titles in Arizona is governed by Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28, which mandates that the vehicle owner of record must maintain a current address on file with the AZ MVD. This statute establishes that the address on your vehicle title and registration is the official point of contact for all legal and administrative matters, making accuracy a non-negotiable obligation. A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the immutable legal identifier for your vehicle, and any update to your personal information must be correctly associated with this 17-digit code in the AZ MVD's database to prevent clerical errors that could cloud the title. The process is distinct from updating your address with the US Postal Service; a change of address with the post office does not fulfill your legal duty to inform the Arizona MVD, and relying solely on mail forwarding can lead to significant delays and lapses in official communication. Furthermore, if your vehicle is used as collateral for a loan, the lienholder must also be notified of your address change, as they have a legal interest in the title and may need to correspond with you regarding the loan status. The AZ MVD's authority in this area is absolute, and maintaining compliance protects you from administrative headaches and ensures a clean, transferable title when you decide to sell the vehicle.
Step by Step
- The step-by-step process for changing your address with the Arizona MVD is straightforward but requires attention to detail to ensure it is processed correctly. First, gather the necessary documentation, which typically includes your current Arizona driver's license or ID card (which you should update separately), your vehicle's registration or title, and the VIN for reference. You can complete the address update online through the AZ MVD's official ServiceArizona website, which is the fastest method, provided you have an account and your vehicle record is in good standing with no outstanding fees or flags. If you prefer to handle it in person, you must visit an authorized Arizona MVD office or third-party authorized service provider, bringing your documents with you to fill out and submit Form 96-0101, the Application for Title and Registration. For changes submitted by mail, you must send the completed form along with any required copies of documentation to the address specified by the AZ MVD, though this method involves longer processing times. After submitting your request, you should receive a confirmation and an updated registration card in the mail; verify that all information, especially the VIN and your new address, is printed accurately upon receipt to prevent future issues.
Checklist
- Update your Arizona driver's license or state ID first, as this is often a prerequisite for the MVD to process your vehicle address change.
- Locate your current vehicle registration certificate and title, and have your 17-digit VIN ready for accurate form completion.
- Verify your VIN on your vehicle's dashboard and door jamb to ensure there are no discrepancies before submitting paperwork to the AZ MVD.
- Check for any outstanding fees, taxes, or lapses in your vehicle's registration with the Arizona MVD, as these must be resolved before an address update.
- If your vehicle has an active lien, notify your lienholder of your address change, as they may need to update their records separately.
- Choose your submission method: online via ServiceArizona, in-person at an AZ MVD office, or by mail using the correct form.
- Accurately complete Form 96-0101 (Application for Title and Registration), double-checking the new address and VIN for any typographical errors.
- If applying in person, bring your updated photo ID, current registration, and proof of your new Arizona address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
- Be prepared to pay any applicable processing fee, though the Arizona MVD often does not charge a fee for a simple address change on a registration.
- Review the odometer reading on your title; if you are updating a title in preparation for a sale, ensure the reading is current and accurate.
- After submission, monitor your mail for the updated registration card from the Arizona MVD and verify all details are correct upon arrival.
- Understand that updating your vehicle address does not automatically update it for any specialty plates or permits; check for those separately.
- Keep a digital copy of your submission confirmation or receipt as proof you initiated the change within the 10-day legal window.
- If you own multiple vehicles, you must update the address for each VIN and title record individually with the AZ MVD.
A common and costly error is assuming a USPS change of address automatically updates your Arizona MVD records, which it does not, leading to missed renewal notices and subsequent late penalties. Owners often neglect to update their driver's license first, causing a mismatch in the AZ MVD's system that can delay or reject the vehicle address update, creating unnecessary bureaucratic friction. Another frequent mistake is submitting an address change form with an incorrect or mistyped VIN, which can inadvertently link the update to the wrong vehicle's title, potentially creating a clerical title brand or mismatch that is difficult to correct. Failing to notify a lienholder of an address change can result in missed payment notices or correspondence from the lender, which may negatively impact your credit and their ability to secure their interest in the vehicle title. Many forget to update their address for all vehicles they own, only changing it for their primary car and leaving others with outdated information that will cause problems upon sale or registration renewal. For those moving from another state, a critical error is trying to change an Arizona MVD address before first surrendering the out-of-state title and completing the full Arizona registration and titling process, which is a separate and required procedure.
Title Type Comparison
| Title Status | Registration Process | Insurance Implications | Inspection Required? |
| Clean | Standard AZ MVD registration renewal. | Eligible for all standard coverage policies. | Typically only for initial out-of-state imports or specific model years. |
| Salvage | Cannot be registered for road use until fully rebuilt and inspected. | Only eligible for salvage or storage insurance, not liability. | Yes, a rigorous AZ MVD salvage inspection is mandatory for rebuilt status. |
| Rebuilt | Can be registered after passing a rebuilt vehicle inspection and obtaining a rebuilt title. | Insurable for liability, but comprehensive/collision coverage is costly and limited. | Yes, the mandatory rebuilt title inspection verifies roadworthiness and proper repair. |
While the Arizona MVD does not typically charge a fee for a simple address change on a vehicle registration, there are potential associated costs that owners should anticipate. If you choose to update your address in person at a third-party authorized service provider instead of an official AZ MVD office, they are permitted to charge a convenience fee for their services, which can range from $5 to $15. The primary financial risk lies in hidden costs of non-compliance: failing to update your address can lead to missed registration renewal notices, resulting in late fees and potential penalties if you are cited for expired registration, which far exceed any processing fee. If your address change is part of a larger transaction, such as a title transfer upon sale, standard Arizona title transfer fees and vehicle license tax (VLT) will apply, but these are separate from the address update itself. There is no direct tax levied for changing an address, but ensuring your address is correct is crucial for accurately calculating your annual VLT, which is based on your vehicle's value and your location's tax jurisdiction. For commercial vehicles or those with specialty plates, separate fees may apply to update address records for those specific programs administered by the Arizona MVD.
VIN Verification
In the context of an address change, VIN verification is a critical step to ensure the vehicle record you are updating is unequivocally correct, preventing administrative errors that could complicate future sales. A VIN check can reveal hidden issues like undisclosed salvage history or active liens that are tied to the vehicle's identity, not the owner's address, which you must resolve even after updating your location. Before finalizing any vehicle purchase in Arizona, always obtain a VIN history report to confirm the title's status and ensure you are not inheriting problems that the Arizona MVD will not allow you to register at your new address. This simple due diligence protects your investment and guarantees a smooth title and registration process with the AZ MVD.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to change my address with the Arizona MVD after moving?
Arizona law requires you to notify the AZ MVD within 10 days of changing your residential address. This ensures all official documents, like registration renewals, reach you without delay.
Can I change my address on my vehicle title online?
Yes, if you only need to update your address on your registration, you can do so online via ServiceArizona. However, to print a corrected title with the new address, you may need to submit a separate application and fee to the Arizona MVD.
Do I need to get a new license plate when I change my address?
No, changing your address with the Arizona MVD does not require you to get new license plates. Your plate number remains the same; only the address on your registration and title records is updated.
Why is verifying the VIN important when changing my address?
Verifying the VIN ensures the address change is applied to the correct vehicle record in the AZ MVD database. An incorrect VIN entry could link your information to a different vehicle, creating significant title problems.
What if I am moving to Arizona from another state?
You cannot simply change an address. You must first title and register your vehicle in Arizona, which involves a VIN inspection, paying taxes and fees, and surrendering your out-of-state title to the AZ MVD.