What you need to do to transfer a California vehicle title

To transfer a vehicle title in California, you file Form REG 135 (process for Title or Registration) with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The DMV processes most transfers within two to three weeks if submitted by mail, or the same day if you go to a DMV office in person. The exact documents and fees depend on whether you're buying from a private seller, a dealer, or inheriting the vehicle.

California requires the title transfer to happen within 10 days of purchase — waiting longer can result in penalties and registration holds. If the previous owner still holds the title, you cannot register the vehicle in your name until the transfer is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Form REG 135 is the document you submit to the DMV to transfer ownership, and it must be signed by both the seller and buyer.
  • You need the original title (or a duplicate if it's lost), a bill of sale showing the purchase price, and a smog certificate if the vehicle is subject to California emissions testing.
  • Title transfer fees range from roughly $15 to $70 depending on the vehicle's value and whether you're also registering it for the first time in California.
  • Submitting in person at a DMV office is fastest if you have all documents ready, but mail submissions take two to three weeks and require certified checks or money orders.
  • If the seller does not sign the title or bill of sale, the transfer cannot proceed — you cannot force a title transfer through the DMV without the seller's signature.

Documents the DMV requires for a title transfer

The original title certificate is the foundation of any transfer. It must be signed by the previous owner in the designated signature line. If the title is lost, damaged, or held by a lienholder (such as a bank), you can request a duplicate from the DMV using Form REG 227 before you attempt the transfer. This adds one to two weeks to the timeline.

A bill of sale (Form REG 135 includes a section for this, or you can use a separate document) must show the sale price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller. California does not require a specific bill of sale form, but the DMV will not process a transfer without written proof of the transaction and price. Some private sellers use a straightforward handwritten bill of sale; others use templates from the California DMV website.

A smog certificate (also called a smog check or BAR certificate) is required for most vehicles in California, unless the vehicle is brand new, more than 55 years old, or exempt for other reasons. The certificate must be dated within 30 days of your DMV submission. You obtain this from a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) certified smog station, not from the DMV itself.

If the vehicle has a lien (the seller still owes money on it), the lienholder's name appears on the title. You cannot complete the transfer until the lien is released — the seller must pay off the loan and have the lienholder sign the title to release it.

Title transfer fees and registration costs

The title transfer fee itself is $15 in California. However, if you are registering the vehicle for the first time in California (transferring from out of state or registering a previously unregistered vehicle), you will also owe registration fees based on the vehicle's value. These fees range from roughly $250 to $400 for most used vehicles, though luxury or high-value vehicles pay more.

The DMV calculates registration fees using a formula tied to the vehicle's market value, not the purchase price you paid. If you buy a car for $8,000 but the DMV's valuation tables show it is worth $10,000, you pay registration fees on the higher amount. You can request a Statement of Facts (Form REG 256) if you believe the DMV's valuation is incorrect, but this requires documentation of the actual purchase price and typically extends processing time.

If you are transferring a title between family members (such as a parent giving a car to an adult child), you still pay the $15 title transfer fee, but registration fees may be reduced or waived depending on the relationship and whether the vehicle is being registered for the first time. Check the DMV website or call your local office for family transfer rates, as these vary.

How to submit your title transfer by mail or in person

To submit by mail, gather the original title, signed bill of sale, smog certificate, Form REG 135 (completed and signed by both parties), and a check or money order for the fees. Mail everything to your county's DMV office. Processing takes two to three weeks; the DMV will mail you a new title and registration in your name. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

To submit in person, visit a DMV office with the same documents. Bring your driver's license or state ID for identification. If you arrive early in the day or on a weekday morning, you may avoid long waits. The DMV will process your transfer the same day in most cases and issue a temporary registration document on the spot; the official title arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

If the seller is not present, they must sign the title and bill of sale before you submit. The DMV does not accept unsigned titles or bills of sale, and you cannot sign on behalf of the seller. If the seller refuses to sign or is unavailable, the transfer cannot proceed through the standard DMV process.

What happens if the title is held by a lienholder or is lost

If the vehicle has an outstanding loan, the lienholder (usually a bank or credit union) holds the title. The seller must pay off the loan in full before the lienholder will release the title. Once released, the title is mailed to the seller, who then signs it and sends it to you. This process can take one to two weeks after the loan is paid off. Do not pay the seller until you have the title in hand.

If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from the DMV using Form REG 227 and a $15 fee. The duplicate takes one to two weeks to arrive by mail. Once received, the seller signs it and sends it to you, and you proceed with the standard transfer process. Some DMV offices allow you to request a duplicate in person and receive it the same day, though this varies by location.

If the seller cannot locate the title and the lienholder has no record of it, the situation becomes more complex. You may need to work with the DMV's title recovery process, which can involve a court declaration or notarized statement. Contact your local DMV office for guidance if this occurs.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

If you submit by mail, expect two to three weeks for processing. The DMV will mail you a new title in your name and a registration card. During this time, you can drive the vehicle using a temporary registration document (usually printed on the back of your receipt or mailed separately), but you cannot register it with your insurance company or renew tags until the official registration arrives.

If you submit in person, the DMV typically processes your transfer the same day. You receive a temporary registration document when ready and can drive the vehicle. The official title and registration arrive by mail within two to three weeks. Some DMV offices issue a temporary registration valid for 30 days; others issue one valid for 60 days. Ask the DMV clerk which applies to you.

If your submission is incomplete or documents are missing, the DMV will mail you a notice requesting the missing items. You then have 30 days to respond. If you do not respond, your process is denied and you must start over. This is why submitting in person is faster — the DMV can tell you when ready if something is wrong and you can correct it on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the car before the title transfer is complete?

Yes, if you have a bill of sale signed by the seller and proof of insurance in your name. You cannot legally register the vehicle or renew tags until the title is transferred, but you can drive it with a temporary registration document. Some insurance companies will not issue a policy until you have proof of ownership, so check with your insurer first.

What if the seller's name on the title does not match their ID?

The DMV will not process the transfer. The seller must obtain a corrected title from the DMV first, which requires proof of the name change (marriage certificate, court order, etc.). This adds one to two weeks to your timeline. Contact the DMV before you meet the seller to confirm their title is correct.

Do I need to notarize the bill of sale or title?

California does not require notarization for a standard private sale. The signatures of both buyer and seller are sufficient. However, some sellers or buyers choose to have documents notarized for extra protection. If you do, make sure the notary is a California notary public.

What if I buy from a dealer instead of a private seller?

Dealers handle most of the paperwork for you. They provide the title, bill of sale, and smog certificate, and they often submit the transfer to the DMV on your behalf. You still pay the title transfer and registration fees, but the dealer typically collects these at the time of sale. Confirm with the dealer whether they are submitting the transfer or whether you need to do it yourself.

Can I transfer a title if the vehicle has an outstanding registration violation or parking ticket?

Yes. Parking tickets and registration violations do not block a title transfer. However, if the vehicle has an active registration hold (usually due to unpaid registration fees or smog check violations), the DMV will not issue new registration until the hold is cleared. The seller is responsible for clearing holds on their registration before the sale.