What to do if your California car title is lost or damaged

If your car title is lost, stolen, or too damaged to read, California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will issue you a replacement. You do not need to own the car outright — lienholders (banks, credit unions, or finance companies) can request a replacement title too. The process takes about two to three weeks by mail, though you can pick one up in person at a DMV office the same day if you have all documents ready.

A lost title does not affect your ownership or your ability to drive the car. What it does affect is your ability to sell it, transfer it to someone else, or use it as proof of ownership if you need to file an insurance claim or dispute with a mechanic. Getting a replacement is straightforward, but you need to know which form to use and what documents the DMV will ask for.

Key Takeaways

  • California's DMV issues replacement titles using form REG 227, which you can submit by mail, in person, or online through the DMV website.
  • You will need your driver's license or ID, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and proof that you own or have a lien on the vehicle.
  • If someone else holds the lien on your car, they can request the replacement title on your behalf, but you can also request it yourself.
  • Replacement titles cost between $20 and $30 depending on whether you request it by mail or in person, and processing takes two to three weeks by mail or same-day if you go to a DMV office.
  • If your title was stolen and you suspect fraud, report it to the DMV and your local police department before requesting a replacement.

Form REG 227: The replacement title request

The form you need is process for Duplicate or Triplicate Title, also called form REG 227. You can read it from the California DMV website, pick one up at any DMV office, or fill it out online and submit it directly through the DMV's online services portal if you have a California driver's license or ID.

On the form, you will enter your name, address, driver's license number, the vehicle's VIN, the year and make of the car, and the license plate number if you know it. If the title was lost or stolen, check the box that says "Lost" or "Stolen." If it is damaged or illegible, check "Mutilated." The form itself is short — most people finish it in five minutes.

You do not need to include the old title with your request. The DMV's records already show that you own the vehicle, so they will issue a new one based on what is in their system.

Documents you need to submit

Along with form REG 227, bring or send a copy of your California driver's license or state ID. This is the only identity document the DMV requires. If you do not have a California ID, you can use a passport, military ID, or tribal ID instead.

You also need to prove you own the vehicle. If the car is paid off, the DMV's records are usually enough — they already have your name on file as the owner. If the car has a lien (meaning a bank or finance company still owns it until you finish paying), you do not need to submit anything extra; the DMV will issue the title with the lienholder's name on it, just as it was on the original.

If you are requesting the replacement on behalf of someone else — for example, if you are a lienholder requesting it for a borrower — you will need a power of attorney or written authorization from the vehicle owner, signed and notarized.

Three ways to submit your request

Online through the DMV portal: Go to the California DMV website and use their online services. You will need a California driver's license or ID number. Upload a copy of your ID and submit form REG 227. The DMV will mail the replacement title to your address on file, which takes two to three weeks.

By mail: Print form REG 227, sign it, make a copy of your ID, and mail both to the DMV address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the fee (currently $20). Mail processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope.

In person at a DMV office: Bring the completed form REG 227, your ID, and payment (cash, check, or card). A DMV clerk will process it on the spot, and you can pick up your replacement title the same day or have it mailed to you. This is the fastest option if you need the title urgently.

Cost and processing time

The fee for a replacement title is $20 if you request it by mail or online, and $20 to $30 if you request it in person at a DMV office (the exact amount varies slightly by location). Payment methods depend on how you submit: online and in-person requests accept all major payment methods, while mail requests require a check or money order.

Processing time is two to three weeks if you submit by mail or online. If you go to a DMV office in person, you can walk out with the title the same day in most cases, though some offices are busier than others and may ask you to come back later that day or the next day. Check the DMV website for your local office's current wait times before you go.

What to do if your title was stolen

If your title was stolen rather than straightforward lost, report it to your local police department and file a report. You do not need the police report to request a replacement from the DMV, but having one on file protects you if someone tries to use the stolen title to commit fraud — for example, to sell the car without your knowledge or to take out a loan against it.

After you file a police report, contact your insurance company and let them know the title was stolen. They may flag your policy to watch for suspicious claims. Then submit your replacement title request to the DMV as usual. The new title will have a different number than the stolen one, so it will be clear which is valid.

If you discover that someone has already tried to use your stolen title to transfer the vehicle or commit fraud, contact the DMV's Fraud and Theft Investigation Unit when ready. They can place a hold on the vehicle to prevent unauthorized transfers while you sort out the situation.

If you have a lienholder on your vehicle

If your car is financed and a bank or credit union holds the lien, the replacement title will show both your name and the lienholder's name. You can request the replacement yourself without involving the lienholder — the DMV does not require their permission or signature.

However, some lienholders keep the physical title in their possession until the loan is paid off. If that is the case with your car, the DMV will mail the replacement title directly to the lienholder's address, not yours. You can ask the lienholder to send you a copy, or you can request that the DMV mail it to you instead by noting that on form REG 227.

If the lienholder requests the replacement on your behalf, they will need to submit form REG 227 along with written authorization from you, signed and notarized. This is less common but can happen if the lienholder is managing the paperwork for a loan servicer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my car while I wait for the replacement title?

Yes. A lost or missing title does not affect your ability to drive the car or renew your registration. You only need the title if you plan to sell the car, transfer ownership, or use it as proof of ownership for insurance or legal purposes.

What if the DMV says they have no record of my vehicle?

This is rare but can happen if the title was never registered in California or if there is a data error. Contact the DMV directly with your VIN and ask them to search their records. If the vehicle was registered in another state, you may need to transfer the title to California first before requesting a replacement.

Do I need the original title to get a replacement?

No. The whole point of a replacement title is that you do not have the original. The DMV will issue a new one based on their records of ownership. You do not need to submit the old title or prove what happened to it.

How long does a replacement title stay valid?

A California title does not expire. Once the DMV issues your replacement, it is valid for as long as you own the vehicle. You only need a new one if this replacement is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Can I get a replacement title if the car has an outstanding loan I have not paid off?

Yes. The replacement title will show the lienholder's name along with yours. You do not need the lienholder's permission to request it, though some lienholders keep the physical title and will receive the replacement at their address instead of yours.