REG 256 Form CA DMV – California Statement of Facts Form

The California DMV REG 256 is a multi-purpose declaration form used whenever you need to state specific facts to the DMV that are not captured on the title or registration documents themselves. Whether you are claiming a use tax exemption on a family car transfer, explaining why a smog certificate is not needed, correcting a misspelled name on a title, documenting a vehicle body change, or applying for a wheelchair lift window decal, the CA DMV REG 256 is the form that makes it official. You only complete the sections that apply to your situation, but everyone must sign Section H.

📄 2 Pages · 8 Sections 📅 Rev. Aug 2008 ✍️ Sign Section H Only Once 🔀 Complete Only Relevant Sections

Form Number

REG 256

Revision Date

August 2008

Sections

8 (A through H)

Complete

Relevant Sections Only

What Is the REG 256 Form?

The REG 256 is California’s all-purpose Statement of Facts form. It is one of those documents that shows up in more situations than most people expect because it solves a specific problem: sometimes the DMV needs you to declare something on paper that does not fit anywhere on a standard title or registration form. The CA DMV REG256 gives you a structured, legally recognized way to do that.

What makes this form unique is that it is not just for one type of transaction. It covers eight entirely different situations under one roof, from claiming a tax exemption on a gift to a family member, to documenting that you legally changed your name, to confirming that a vehicle never touched a California road and should not be charged registration fees. Most people who fill out the statement of facts form only complete one or two sections, but the form is set up to handle any combination of the eight.

The form spans two pages. Page 1 contains Sections A through D, the four most commonly needed declarations. Page 2 contains Sections E through H, which cover less frequent situations like body changes and name corrections. Section H is the signature section and must always be completed, no matter which other sections you fill in. Everything in the form is sworn under penalty of perjury, so accuracy matters.

Which REG 256 Section Do You Need?

Before you start filling anything out, figure out which section or sections apply to your situation. Here is a plain-language breakdown of all eight sections of the dmv reg 256 and when each one is used:

A

Use Tax Exemption

You bought or received a vehicle from a qualifying family member, got it as a true gift, inherited it, or received it through a court order and you do not want to pay use tax on it.

B

Smog Exemption

Your vehicle does not need a smog certificate for this transfer because it was recently smogged, it is electric or diesel, it is out of state, or the transfer qualifies for an exemption.

C

Transfer Only or Title Only

The vehicle has not been on any California road. You want a title transfer or a California title issued without triggering full registration fees.

D

Wheelchair Lift / Carrier Window Decal

You have a disabled person plate, disabled veteran plate, or permanent disabled person placard and need a window decal for a wheelchair lift or carrier on your vehicle.

E

Vehicle Body Change

You have made physical changes to the vehicle such as a body type change, motive power change, unladen weight change, or axle count change and need to update the title records. Requires original ownership certificate.

F

Name Statement

There is a name issue on your vehicle title. It may be misspelled, you have two names that refer to the same person, or you have legally changed your name and need the title updated.

G

General Statement of Facts

A freeform section for declaring any other facts that need to be on record with the DMV that do not fit into Sections A through F. Used when the DMV specifically requests a statement.

H

Applicant’s Signature ✍️

The certification and signature section. Every person who completes this form must sign here, regardless of which other sections they filled in. This is your legal declaration under penalty of perjury.

What You Need to Complete the REG 256 Form

The documents you need depend on which sections you are completing. Before you get the reg 256 pdf download from the official CA DMV website, make sure you have the following at minimum:

🚗 Vehicle License Plate or CF Number

Required at the top of the form for all transactions and identifies which vehicle your statement applies to.

🔢 Vehicle/Vessel ID Number (VIN)

Also required at the top for all sections. Verify it against the title, dashboard, or door jamb sticker.

📅 Year and Make

Enter the vehicle’s model year and make in the header fields and these must match the title exactly.

🪪 Your Driver License / ID

Needed to complete Section H. Your DL/ID number may also be required by the DMV office at time of submission.

📋 Original Ownership Certificate (Title)

Required for Sections E (Body Change) and F (Name Statement). Must be the original, not a copy.

💰 Current Market Value (Sections A and E)

Section A’s use tax exemption and Section E’s body change both require you to state the vehicle’s current market value in dollars.

♿ Disabled Person Plate / Placard Number (Section D)

Required for the wheelchair decal section. You must enter your disabled person plate number, disabled veteran plate number, or permanent placard number.

⚖️ Public Weighmaster Certificate (Section E)

Required only when documenting an unladen weight change. Exception: trailers do not need this certificate.

How to Fill Out and Submit the REG 256

Once you know which sections apply to your situation, filling out this form is straightforward. Follow these steps from top to bottom. If you have not done so yet, get the reg 256 pdf download from this website before you begin.

1

Download the official form

Always download the updated version of the form. The form has a revision date of August 2008 (REV. 8/2008 WWW) printed at the bottom of both pages. Using an outdated version from a third-party site can cause your submission to be rejected.

2

Fill in the vehicle description header on both pages

At the top of both page 1 and page 2 you will find the same three fields: License Plate or CF Number, Vehicle or Vessel ID Number, and Year or Make. Fill these in on both pages before anything else. These fields must match the title exactly.

3

Complete only the sections relevant to your situation

Refer to the section guide above and check only the boxes and fill in only the fields that apply to your transaction. Leave all other sections completely blank. Do not mark them N/A, cross them out, or write “does not apply.” Unused sections should simply be empty.

4

Double-check every entry before signing

Once you sign Section H, you are certifying that everything on the form is accurate. Review each completed section carefully and verify VINs, dollar amounts, names, and checkboxes before you put pen to the signature line. If you realize you need to make a correction after signing, print a fresh copy.

5

Sign Section H in blue or black ink

Print your last, first, and middle name. Enter your daytime phone number. Sign your name and date the form. All in original ink. No digital signatures, no typed signatures, no stamped signatures.

6

Submit to the CA DMV with all required supporting documents

Bring or mail your completed form together with the original title (if required by your section), proof of insurance, payment, and any other documents specific to your transaction. In-person submission at a CA DMV field office is recommended for complex transactions, as staff can flag any issues immediately rather than returning incomplete paperwork by mail.

Processing Time Expectations

Once you submit your REG 256 along with the required documents, what happens next depends on the type of transaction and how you submitted. Here is a realistic breakdown of what to expect for each common scenario.

Title Transfer with Use Tax or Smog Exemption (Sections A or B)

If submitted in person at a CA DMV field office, the transaction is typically processed same-day and a temporary operating permit is issued immediately. The new title is mailed to the registered owner within 4 to 6 weeks from the date of processing. Mail submissions take longer — expect 6 to 10 weeks total from receipt.

📬 Title arrives by mail — not handed to you at the counter

Name Correction or Name Change (Section F)

Section F requires the original title to be surrendered. The DMV reissues a corrected title, which is mailed to the address on file. Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks in person. If submitted by mail, allow up to 12 weeks. You will not receive an interim document while waiting.

⚠ Keep a copy of your submitted REG 256 as proof while waiting

Vehicle Body Change (Section E)

Section E also triggers a title reissue with the updated vehicle specifications. Processing timelines are similar to Section F: 4 to 8 weeks for in-person submissions. Complex modifications or discrepancies flagged by the DMV may require additional review, which can extend processing by several weeks.

⚠ If no title arrives after 10 weeks, contact the DMV with your receipt

Wheelchair Lift Window Decal (Section D)

This is the fastest processing scenario. Section D is a standalone request and does not involve a title or registration change. The CA DMV mails the window decal to the address you provide on the form. Expect the decal to arrive within 2 to 4 weeks of submission.

✓ Fastest turnaround of all eight sections

Transfer Only or Title Only (Section C)

Processing for Section C is similar to a standard title transfer: 4 to 6 weeks for in-person submissions. Since no registration fees are triggered, you will not receive registration stickers or a license plate — only the certificate of title will be mailed.

📋 No plates or registration stickers issued under Section C

Frequently Asked Questions

This is California’s Statement of Facts form, a multi-purpose declaration document with eight sections (A through H). It is used to claim use tax exemptions on qualifying transfers, declare smog exemptions, apply for a wheelchair decal, document vehicle body changes, correct name errors on a title, apply for transfer-only or title-only status, or make a general statement of facts requested by the DMV. You only complete the sections that apply to your situation. Section H, the signature, is always required.

Yes, a genuine gift qualifies for the use tax exemption under Section A of the dmv reg256. A “gift” in the DMV’s definition means the vehicle was transferred with absolutely no money, services, trade, or other valuable consideration exchanged. If you did anything in return, even helped with moving costs, paid a debt the giver owed, or traded another item, the transfer is not a gift for tax purposes. The form notes that vehicles traded between individuals do not qualify as gifts. When you claim the gift exemption, you still need to enter the current market value of the vehicle.

No. This is a Statement of Facts form. It declares specific circumstances around a transfer (like a tax or smog exemption) but it does not document the actual sale transaction. A bill of sale records the buyer, seller, purchase price, and vehicle details of an actual transaction. For California vehicle sales, the bill of sale is documented on the back of the title, or separately using REG 135 (Bill of Sale) or REG 262 (Vehicle or Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form). The REG256 accompanies those documents when exemptions or special circumstances need to be declared.

Yes. The form header shows “LICENSE PLATE/CF NUMBER” and “VEHICLE/VESSEL ID NUMBER,” which means it explicitly applies to both motor vehicles and vessels registered with the California DMV. For a vessel, enter the CF number (the boat’s California registration number) in place of the license plate number, and enter the hull identification number (HIN) in the vehicle or vessel ID field. All sections apply equally to vessels.

That is exactly what this form is designed for. You simply complete both Section A and Section B on the same form. For example, if you are adding your spouse to your vehicle’s title (which qualifies for a use tax exemption under the family addition reason in Section A) and the last smog was within 90 days (smog exemption under Section B), you check the appropriate box in each section, fill in the required fields, and sign Section H once. You do not need two separate forms.

The form is submitted together with the other documents for your transaction. It is never submitted alone as a standalone document (except when completing Section D for a wheelchair decal). For title transfers, bring the completed REG 256 with the signed title, proof of insurance, and payment to a CA DMV field office. Appointments at dmv.ca.gov are strongly recommended. For simple declarations like a smog exemption supporting a registration renewal, some transactions may be completed by mail. Check the specific instructions for your transaction type at dmv.ca.gov.

Download This Form

Download REG 256 PDF 📋 How to Complete

Form Number

CA REG256

Revision

August 2008

Pages

2 Pages

Sections

A – H (8 Total)

Section H

Always Sign

⏱ Key Deadlines

Title Transfer

10 Days

Smog Cert Window

90 Days

Use Tax Filing

10 Days

Reg. Renewal

By Sticker Date

Out-of-State Veh.

20 Days

Other CA DMV Forms

REG 262 – Transfer Form

REG 343 – Title Application

REG 227 – Duplicate Title

REG 135 – Bill of Sale

All CA DMV Forms