PlateHarbor
CA Vehicle registration renewal

How to renew registration in California

Renew the current registration in California. Use the method below that matches how you want to renew.

Last synced Apr 23, 2026, 7:16 AM UTC from official source .

County emissions: 54 guides.

Official California renewal links and core methods are live, but renewal workflows still vary by notice eligibility, phone renewal availability, kiosk availability, and mailed follow-up.

Backup reminder

Get one email before your usual renewal month

Use the month your California renewal usually comes due. PlateHarbor will send a backup email before that month.

  • State-specific renewal page already selected
  • No account required
  • Useful if the state notice never shows up

One reminder, once a year, before the month you choose.

Checklist

What to bring

  • vehicle license plate number
  • last 5 digits of the VIN or HIN
  • registration fees due for the vehicle
  • electronic smog certification on file if required

Methods

How to renew

Renew by mail

Open mail instructions

Renew by mail using your renewal notice or by mailing the fees and prior registration or owner information.

What to mail
  • vehicle license plate number
  • registration fees due for the vehicle

Where to send it: Send it to the mailing address shown on the state renewal notice or official instructions.

Use a kiosk

Open kiosk details

Renew at a DMV kiosk in a participating DMV office or retail location.

Renew by phone

Open phone instructions

Renew by phone through DMV's Automated Voice Recognition service if your notice includes a renewal identification number (RIN).

County emissions

Check your county

Open your county page before you renew.

County emissions guide Alameda County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Amador County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Butte County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Colusa County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Contra Costa County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Del Norte County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide El Dorado County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Fresno County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Glenn County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Humboldt County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Imperial County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Inyo County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Kern County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Kings County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Lake County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Lassen County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Los Angeles County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Madera County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Marin County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Mariposa County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Mendocino County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Merced County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Modoc County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Monterey County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Napa County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Nevada County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Orange County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Placer County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Plumas County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Riverside County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Sacramento County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Benito County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Bernardino County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Diego County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Francisco County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Joaquin County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Luis Obispo County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide San Mateo County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Santa Barbara County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Santa Clara County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Santa Cruz County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Shasta County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Sierra County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Siskiyou County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Solano County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Sonoma County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Stanislaus County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Sutter County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Tehama County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Tulare County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Tuolumne County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Ventura County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Yolo County Open the county-specific emissions steps County emissions guide Yuba County Open the county-specific emissions steps

Latest county emissions update for this state: Apr 23, 2026, 7:16 AM UTC.