Last Update: September 17, 2026

Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Texas

Vehicle registration information in Texas is overseen by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and filed through the county tax assessor-collector in the county where the vehicle is registered. Title and registration records may need to be revised after an address change, a legal name change, the discovery of an error, a vehicle purchase or transfer, or a move into the state. County tax offices accept title and registration applications, while TxDMV regional service centers support title corrections and related transactions.

Texas Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

A record update may be needed when any of the following events take place:

• A residential or mailing address changes and must be recorded on the vehicle record before renewal.
• A legal name change and a corrected title, with supporting documentation, are required.
• A title or registration contains incorrect information that must be corrected.
• A vehicle is purchased, including private-sale and out-of-state purchases, which must be titled within 30 days of the date of sale.
• The owner moves to Texas and must register the vehicle within 30 days of arrival.
• A vehicle is sold or traded, triggering a transfer notification to protect the seller.
• A registration sticker or certificate of title is lost, stolen, or mutilated, and a replacement is needed.

Where to File a Texas Vehicle Registration Change

Applications for title and registration are accepted at the county tax assessor-collector's office in the county of registration, which also provides services such as address changes on motor vehicle records. TxDMV maintains the central title records and operates regional service centers for transactions that fall outside a county office's authority. The distinction matters because registration-level changes, such as an address update or a replacement sticker, are completed locally, while certain title corrections are handled through TxDMV channels.

Texas Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

An address change is submitted using the Change of Address for Texas Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-146), which TxDMV directs applicants to file in person at the local county tax office. The form also allows the registrant to update the mailing address for the registration renewal notice. Address changes submitted through the online renewal service typically take effect within 2 business days. Because renewal notices are mailed to the address on record, the address should be up to date before a renewal is processed.

Texas Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change is recorded through a corrected title application because the name on the certificate of title and the name on the registration must match. TxDMV's Motor Vehicle Title Manual provides that an application for a corrected title that voluntarily changes a name, such as after a marriage or divorce, must attach a statement of "Name Change Due to," along with documentation supporting the change. The request is submitted using the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) at the county tax office, which processes the corrected application and forwards it to TxDMV.

Correcting Incorrect Information on a Texas Registration Record

A distinction applies between correcting registration records and correcting title records. Registration record issues, such as a lost or mutilated registration sticker, are resolved through the county tax office using the Application for Replacement Vehicle Registration Sticker (Form VTR-60). Title record issues are resolved through an application for a corrected title under Section 501.023 of the Texas Transportation Code, which requires the owner to present identification and apply for a title as prescribed by the department. When the original certificate of title has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, the Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34) is used to obtain a replacement document.

Texas Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

The following timing requirements and consequences apply in Texas:

• A vehicle owner must register a vehicle within 30 days after purchasing the vehicle or becoming a resident of the state under Section 502.040 of the Texas Transportation Code.
• New residents have 30 days from the date of the move to register a vehicle in Texas, and penalty fees may apply after that period.
• A vehicle purchased in a private sale, inside or outside of Texas, must be titled in the buyer's name within 30 calendar days of the sale, or the buyer may face delinquent title penalties.
• An out-of-state purchase must be titled within 30 days of the date of sale to avoid delinquent transfer penalties.
• A dealer is responsible for processing title and registration on behalf of a customer within 30 days of the date of purchase, or 45 days for a seller-financed sale.
• A seller who files the Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) within 30 days of selling or trading a vehicle receives the state's liability protection for late events involving the vehicle.
• Texas requires liability insurance with minimum limits of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for all injured persons, and $25,000 for property damage, and the TexasSure insurance verification program electronically verifies coverage for registered vehicles.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in Texas?

Contact Information

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
4000 Jackson Avenue, Austin, TX 78731
Phone: (512) 465-3000
Official Website: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles