What You Need to Do to Transfer a Title at the California DMV

To transfer a vehicle title in California, you submit form REG 135 (process for Title or Registration) along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment to your local DMV office or by mail. The process takes about two to three weeks if you mail it, or you can walk out the same day at a DMV office if all documents are correct. The fee is $15 for a title transfer, though you may owe additional registration fees depending on the vehicle's value and your county.

The exact documents you need depend on whether you're buying from a private seller, inheriting the vehicle, or receiving it as a gift. California requires the seller to sign the title in the designated box before you submit anything — the DMV will not process an unsigned title. If the title is lost or damaged, you'll need to get a duplicate from the DMV first, which adds one to two weeks to the timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have the seller's signature on the title itself before submitting to the DMV — an unsigned title will be rejected.
  • Form REG 135, a bill of sale, and proof of ownership are the core documents for any title transfer in California.
  • Processing takes two to three weeks by mail or same-day at a DMV office, but only if all documents are complete and correct.
  • The $15 title transfer fee does not include registration renewal or county-specific fees, which you may owe separately.
  • If the title is lost, you must order a duplicate from the DMV before you can transfer it to a new owner.

Documents You Need for a Private Sale Transfer

For a private party sale, gather the original title signed by the seller in the signature box, a completed bill of sale (you can use the DMV's form or write your own with the vehicle details, sale price, and both signatures), your driver's license or ID, and proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease. The seller does not need to be present at the DMV — only their signature on the title matters.

If the title has a lien (meaning a lender still owns it), the lienholder's name appears on the back. The seller must contact their lender to get the title released before signing it over to you. Some lenders mail the title directly to the DMV, in which case you'll receive a notice telling you to submit your transfer documents within a set timeframe. Do not delay — missing that window can complicate the transfer.

Bring your proof of residency even if you have a current California driver's license, because the DMV requires it for title transfers. A lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill dated within the last 60 days works. If you've recently moved and your ID doesn't match your current address, bring both your old and new proof.

Transferring a Title After Inheritance or as a Gift

If you inherit a vehicle, you need the original title, a certified copy of the death certificate, and proof that you are the legal heir (usually a will or court document). Some counties require additional paperwork — call your local DMV office before you go to confirm what they need. Inheritance transfers are often exempt from sales tax, but you must declare the transfer correctly on your paperwork or you may be charged anyway.

For a gift, the process is the same as a private sale: the giver signs the title, you provide a bill of sale (you can write "gift" in the price field), and you submit both to the DMV. California does not charge sales tax on gifts, but the DMV still requires the bill of sale to document the transfer. Some people skip this step and regret it later when they try to register the vehicle or sell it again — the title record will show a gap in ownership.

How to Submit Your Transfer Documents

You have two options: visit a DMV office in person or mail your documents to the address listed on the DMV website for your county. In-person visits are faster if your documents are complete — you'll know the same day whether the transfer is accepted. Mailed submissions take longer but let you avoid a trip if you live far from an office.

If you mail your documents, include a check or money order for the $15 title transfer fee payable to "Department of Motor Vehicles." Do not send cash. Include a copy of your driver's license and a cover letter listing what you're enclosing. Mail to the address shown on the DMV's county office page, not the general Sacramento address — mail sent to the wrong location adds weeks to processing time.

At a DMV office, bring all original documents plus copies of your ID and bill of sale. You'll fill out form REG 135 at the counter, pay the fee, and submit everything. The staff will check that the title is signed, that your documents match, and that you've filled out the form correctly. If anything is missing or wrong, they'll tell you when ready and you can fix it on the spot.

What Happens If the Title Is Lost or Damaged

If you don't have the original title, you must order a duplicate from the DMV before you can transfer it. Submit form REG 227 (process for Duplicate or Paperless Title) with your driver's license, proof of residency, and a $15 fee. Processing takes one to two weeks by mail or same-day in person. Once you receive the duplicate, you can then proceed with the transfer using the steps above.

If the title is damaged but readable, some DMV offices will accept it anyway — call ahead to ask. If it's water-damaged, torn, or the signature is illegible, you'll need the duplicate. Do not try to write over a damaged signature or cross out information — the DMV will reject it and you'll have to start over with a duplicate.

Timing and What to Expect After Submission

After you submit your transfer documents, the DMV processes them in the order received. By mail, expect two to three weeks. During that time, the vehicle is technically still registered to the seller, so if you're driving it, you should have a bill of sale in your car as proof of ownership in case you're stopped. Once the DMV processes your transfer, they mail you a new title in your name.

You do not automatically get a new registration card when you transfer the title — that's a separate step. If the registration is also expiring soon, you'll need to renew it separately, which costs more and takes additional time. Check the expiration date on the current registration before you buy; if it expires within a month or two, factor renewal costs into your purchase decision.

If you don't receive your new title within four weeks, call the DMV to check the status. Bring your bill of sale and the seller's name and address so they can look up your case. If there's an error on the new title (wrong name spelling, wrong VIN, wrong lien information), contact the DMV when ready — correcting errors after the fact is slower than catching them right away.

Common Reasons Transfers Get Rejected or Delayed

The most common rejection is an unsigned title. The seller must sign in the designated signature box on the back of the title — a signature anywhere else or on a separate document won't work. The second most common issue is a missing bill of sale or incomplete bill of sale (missing date, price, or one party's signature). The third is submitting to the wrong DMV office or mailing address, which sends your documents on a slow route through the system.

Transfers also stall if there's a lien on the title and the lender hasn't released it yet. Call the seller's lender to confirm the title has been released before you submit anything. If the seller claims they paid off the loan but the lien is still showing, the lender may need a few business days to update their records and mail the title to you or the DMV.

Another delay happens when the VIN on the title doesn't match the VIN on the vehicle itself. This is rare but happens when a title has been corrected or transferred multiple times. Bring both the title and the vehicle to a DMV office and ask them to verify the VIN before you submit your transfer — they can often clear it up in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the car while my title transfer is being processed?

Yes, but keep the bill of sale and the seller's signed title in your car. If you're stopped, you can show these documents as proof of ownership. Once the DMV mails you the new title, you're fully registered in the system. Driving without any proof of ownership is risky and can result in a citation.

What if the seller won't sign the title?

You cannot transfer the title without the seller's signature. If the seller refuses, you have no legal claim to the vehicle. Do not hand over money until the title is signed. If you've already paid and the seller won't sign, contact a lawyer — this is a civil dispute that the DMV cannot resolve.

Do I have to register the vehicle at the same time I transfer the title?

No, they are separate transactions. You can transfer the title first and register later, though most people do both at the same time to avoid two trips. If you transfer the title but don't register, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads.

How much does a title transfer cost in California?

The title transfer fee is $15. You may also owe registration renewal fees, which vary by vehicle value and county. Some counties charge an additional vehicle license fee. Ask the DMV what the total cost will be before you submit your documents.

What if I bought the car out of state and need to transfer the title to California?

You'll need to get the out-of-state title transferred to California first. This usually requires submitting the out-of-state title, a bill of sale, your driver's license, and proof of residency to the California DMV. The process is similar to a private sale transfer but may take longer because the DMV has to verify the out-of-state title. Call your local DMV office for specific instructions for your state of origin.