What you need to do to transfer a California car title

To transfer a car title in California, you fill out a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) and a process for Title or Registration (Form REG 343), then mail or deliver them to the California Department of Motor Vehicles along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and the signed title certificate itself. The DMV processes the transfer and issues a new title in the buyer's name. The whole process typically takes two to three weeks by mail, though times vary depending on DMV workload.

Whether you are the seller releasing the car or the buyer taking ownership, you must complete your part of the paperwork within 10 days of the sale. Waiting longer can result in penalties and liability issues, especially if the car is involved in an accident or traffic violation after you no longer own it.

Key Takeaways

  • Both the seller and buyer must sign the title certificate and submit separate forms to the DMV within 10 days of the sale.
  • The seller files Form REG 138 to release liability; the buyer files Form REG 343 to register the vehicle in their name.
  • You will need the signed title certificate, a bill of sale, and proof of identity to complete the transfer.
  • Submitting your paperwork late can leave you liable for tickets, accidents, or violations involving the vehicle after you sold it.
  • You can submit documents by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party service.

What documents the seller must submit

As the seller, you must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) with the DMV within 10 days of the sale. This form tells the state that you no longer own the vehicle and removes you from liability for anything that happens to it after the transfer date. You can file this form even if the buyer has not yet registered the car in their name.

You also need to sign the back of the title certificate where it says "Seller" or "Previous Owner." The buyer will sign their section. If there are two owners listed on the title, both must sign. You will also need to provide a bill of sale, which is a straightforward document showing the sale price, date, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the names and signatures of both buyer and seller. California does not have a required bill of sale form, but you can use one from the DMV website or write one yourself.

Mail or deliver the signed title, Form REG 138, and the bill of sale to your local DMV office. Keep a copy of Form REG 138 for your records. Filing this form protects you if the buyer gets a ticket, is in an accident, or does not register the car—you will not be held responsible.

What documents the buyer must submit

As the buyer, you must file an process for Title or Registration (Form REG 343) within 10 days of purchase. This form registers the vehicle in your name and triggers the issuance of a new title certificate. You will need the signed title certificate from the seller, a bill of sale, and proof of your identity (a valid driver's license or state ID).

If you financed the vehicle through a lender, include a lien holder authorization form or a copy of your loan documents showing the lender's name and address. The DMV will note the lender on the title. You will also need to show proof of a smog check if the vehicle is subject to California's smog inspection requirements—generally any vehicle model year 1976 or newer.

Submit Form REG 343 along with the signed title, bill of sale, and proof of identity to your local DMV office by mail or in person. The DMV will process your process and mail the new title to the address you provide. During this time, you can drive the vehicle with the bill of sale as proof of ownership, though you should not delay registration.

How to handle the title certificate itself

The title certificate is the physical document that proves ownership. It has spaces for the seller to sign and release the car, and for the buyer to sign and accept it. Both signatures must be present and in ink—photocopies or digital signatures are not accepted by the DMV.

If the title is lost, damaged, or has no more room for signatures, the seller can request a duplicate title from the DMV using Form REG 156 before the sale. This takes about two weeks. If the buyer receives a title with no signature space left, they can still register the vehicle, but the DMV will issue a new title in their name without the old owner's signature.

Do not write on the title except where instructed. Do not cross out or use correction fluid. If you make a mistake, request a duplicate title and start over. A messy or altered title can delay processing or be rejected outright.

Submitting your paperwork to the DMV

You have three ways to submit your transfer documents: by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party service such as a car dealership, auto club, or private document service.

By mail, send your completed forms, signed title, bill of sale, and proof of identity to the DMV office that serves your county. Include a check or money order for the registration fee, which varies based on the vehicle's value and weight. Mail delivery typically takes one to two weeks, and DMV processing adds another one to two weeks. By in-person delivery, you can walk into any DMV office with your documents and pay the fee on the spot. Processing time is the same, but you receive a receipt when ready.

Third-party services charge a fee on top of DMV fees but handle the paperwork for you. They are useful if you do not have time to visit the DMV or prefer not to mail original documents. Dealerships often offer this service at no extra charge if you buy from them.

What happens if you miss the 10-day important date

If you do not submit your paperwork within 10 days, the consequences differ for sellers and buyers. A seller who does not file Form REG 138 remains liable for the vehicle. If the buyer gets a ticket, is in an accident, or does not register the car, the registered owner—you—can be held responsible. You may receive notices or citations in the mail, and your driving record or insurance rates could be affected.

A buyer who does not register the vehicle within 10 days is driving an unregistered car, which is illegal in California. You can be cited and fined. The vehicle also cannot pass a smog check or be sold again until it is registered.

If you have already missed the important date, file your paperwork when ready. The DMV does not charge a penalty for late filing, but you remain at risk for liability or citations until the transfer is complete. If you are the seller and the buyer has not registered the car, you can file Form REG 138 on your own to release your liability, even if the buyer has not acted.

Special situations: Transfers between family members, inherited vehicles, and gifts

If you are transferring a car to a family member, the process is the same: both parties sign the title, and the buyer files Form REG 343. However, California offers a reduced registration fee for transfers between spouses, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren. The buyer should check the fee schedule or ask at the DMV office.

If you inherit a vehicle, you will need the title, a certified copy of the death certificate, and proof that you are the heir (such as a will or probate court order). The process is similar to a standard transfer, but you file Form REG 343 along with the inheritance documents. You do not need a bill of sale.

If someone gives you a car as a gift, you still need a signed title and a bill of sale showing the sale price as zero or "gift." The buyer files Form REG 343 just as in a regular sale. Some people worry about gift tax, but California does not have a state gift tax, and federal gift tax does not explore to vehicle transfers between individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the car while waiting for the new title to arrive?

Yes. Once you have submitted Form REG 343 and received a receipt from the DMV, you can drive the vehicle. Keep the receipt and the bill of sale in the car as proof of ownership until the new title arrives. You should also have proof of registration, which the DMV may issue separately.

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

The name on the title must match the seller's current legal name. If it does not, the seller must first obtain a corrected title from the DMV using Form REG 156. This adds time to the transfer, so the seller should handle it before the sale is finalized.

Do I need to get the car smogged before or after I transfer the title?

The buyer needs a smog check certificate before registering the vehicle, so it should happen before or during the transfer process. The seller does not need to provide it, but many do as part of the sale. The smog check is valid for 30 days, so time it so the certificate does not expire before you submit your registration paperwork.

What if there is a lien on the title?

If a lender is listed on the title, they must sign off on the transfer before the buyer can register the vehicle. The seller should contact the lender and request a lien release or authorization letter. The buyer will need this document to complete registration. The lender will not release the lien until the loan is paid off.

Can I transfer a title online?

California does not currently offer full online title transfers. You must submit your documents by mail, in person, or through an authorized third-party service. However, you can check the status of your process online through the DMV website using your process number.