Moving to California? Register your car in one visit.
Bring the paperwork from your old state. We check it, do the VIN verification at our counter or come to you, and process the registration. Walk-ins and appointments welcome, seven days a week.
Out-of-state transfer. VIN verification is $60 + DMV fees for an auto. DMV fees vary by vehicle and are paid in addition to our service fee. Sales tax is collected on our service fees.
See all pricesWhat California requires.
The DMV calls a car last registered in another state or country a nonresident vehicle. Registering one takes four things: the 20-day deadline, a VIN verification, smog where required, and your paperwork and fees. Registration Leaders is a private business contracted through the DMV Business Partner Automation program, not the DMV.
The 20-day rule
You must register within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing the vehicle into California. The DMV says nonresident vehicle fees must be paid within 20 days of the date they become due, and that date depends on your situation. Submit on time even if the title or smog is still missing, to avoid penalties.
VIN verification
A physical check of the VIN, completed by a DMV employee, a law enforcement officer or a California licensed vehicle verifier. We do it at our counter, or we come to your home, work or lot. VIN verification service.
California smog certification
Required for most gasoline vehicles 1976 and newer, diesel 1998 and newer under 14,001 pounds GVWR, and natural gas or propane vehicles under 14,001 pounds GVWR. It must come from a California smog station. Smog check guide.
DMV fees
The DMV lists registration, vehicle license, weight, transfer and use tax fees. The amount depends on the vehicle and is only exact when you apply, so use the DMV fee calculator for an estimate.
Some new vehicles built only for the other 49 states cannot be registered in California. The DMV says a vehicle less than 2 years old with less than 7,500 miles at purchase must meet California emission standards unless an exemption applies. Check the emission label under the hood, or ask us before you buy.
Your checklist, from the DMV.
This follows the DMV's How To 9 brochure. When you book, we confirm what applies to your vehicle.
- Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), signed by every registered owner on the out-of-state title or registration (the lessor signs for a leased vehicle)
- The last out-of-state title
- The last out-of-state registration, a current renewal notice, or a letter from that state confirming the owner and expiration date
- A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31), which we can complete for you
- A California smog certification, if your vehicle needs one
- The out-of-state license plates (you may keep them if they are expired, must be returned to the issuing state, or the vehicle is registered in two states)
- Proof of insurance and your driver's license or ID
Official source: California DMV, How To Register a Vehicle From Out of State (HTVR 9). For the full walk-through, read our out-of-state registration guide.
One counter, seven days.
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Call or walk in
Call (916) 595-8128 with your vehicle details. We tell you whether you need smog, what is missing, and what to bring. Walk-ins and appointments are both welcome.
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VIN verification
We verify the vehicle at our office at 6381 Auburn Blvd, Ste A, Citrus Heights, or come to you for mobile service. A mobile visit is quoted before we go.
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We process it
We review your title and registration, complete the application and submit it as a DMV business partner. Our fee is $80 + DMV fees; weekends and after 5pm weekdays add a $15 convenience fee.
✓ Done
Service members and new arrivals.
Stationed in California
Nonresident military personnel stationed in California can be exempt from the vehicle license fee by filing the Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045). The duty station must be in California and the vehicle must not be used for hire. A spouse who is already a California resident does not qualify under this exemption.
Discharged and moving here
The DMV also covers service members who enter California after discharge, and new 49-state vehicles first registered by military personnel in their last state of service. These rules are detailed, so confirm yours with the DMV or call us. Source: California DMV, Veterans and Active Duty Military.
Open when the DMV is not
We are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm, Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 4pm, so you can finish a move-in registration after work or on a weekend. We serve Citrus Heights and 14 nearby communities, including Sacramento, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Orangevale, Roseville, Antelope, North Highlands, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Rocklin, Natomas, Rio Linda, Elk Grove, El Dorado Hills. Need to compare options first? Read about a DMV alternative in Sacramento.
Frequently asked questions.
How long do I have to register my car after moving to California?
The DMV says that if you bring a vehicle into California that was previously registered in another state, you must register it within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state. The exact date your fees became due depends on your situation, and the DMV explains it in its HTVR 33 brochure. To avoid penalties, the DMV advises submitting your application and fees on time even if you are still missing the title or smog certificate. If you are close to the deadline, call us at (916) 595-8128 and we will tell you what can be filed today.
Do I need a VIN verification, and can you do it?
Yes, a vehicle last registered in another state needs a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31). The DMV says it must be completed by an authorized DMV employee, a law enforcement officer, or a California licensed vehicle verifier. We do VIN verifications at our Citrus Heights counter ($60 + DMV fees for an auto, $80 + DMV fees for a commercial vehicle), and we can come to the vehicle if you need mobile service. The extra cost for a mobile visit depends on distance and time of service, and we quote it before we go.
Does my out-of-state car need a California smog check?
Usually yes. The DMV lists a smog certification from a California smog station for gasoline vehicles 1976 and newer (motorcycles are exempt), diesel vehicles 1998 and newer under 14,001 pounds GVWR, and natural gas or propane vehicles under 14,001 pounds GVWR. We can point you to a nearby smog station, and our smog check guide explains the rules. Do not wait on the smog check to start the paperwork, because the 20-day clock keeps running.
What does it cost to transfer an out-of-state vehicle with you?
Our service fee for an out-of-state transfer is $80 + DMV fees, and a VIN verification is a separate $60 + DMV fees for an auto. DMV fees (registration, transfer and use tax, and any weight or other fees) vary by vehicle, and the DMV says an exact amount can only be calculated when the application is submitted. Sales tax is collected on our service fees. Weekend and after-5pm weekday visits add a $15 convenience fee. Registration Leaders is a private business, not the DMV.
I am active-duty military stationed in California. Do I have to re-register?
Rules for service members are different, so check with the DMV before you pay anything. The DMV says military personnel stationed in California can be exempt from the vehicle license fee when they file a Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045), and that the duty station must be in California. The DMV also notes the exemption does not apply to a spouse who is already a California resident. Call us with your orders and vehicle details and we will tell you whether registering makes sense in your case.
My lender holds the out-of-state title. Can I still register the car?
Yes. You can register the vehicle without surrendering the title. The DMV says that when the out-of-state title is not surrendered, the California registration card is marked Nontransferable and a California title is not issued. Bring your last out-of-state registration and your loan details, and we will go over your paperwork list before you file.
Ready to get it done?
Walk-ins and appointments welcome, Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm, Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Call first; we confirm booked times by text or email.