The basic process: what you need to do
To transfer a car title to a family member in California, you fill out a form called the Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343), sign it in front of a notary, and mail it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles along with the original title, a completed odometer statement, and the transfer fee. The DMV processes the paperwork and mails the new title to the new owner. The whole process typically takes four to six weeks by mail, though you can also submit it in person at a DMV office for faster handling.
California does not charge a transfer fee between family members — you pay only the registration renewal fee, which depends on the vehicle's value and is calculated by the DMV. You do not need a bill of sale, though having one in writing is a good idea for your own records.
Key Takeaways
- You need the original title, a notarized Form REG 343, an odometer statement, and the registration renewal fee to transfer ownership to a family member.
- California charges no transfer fee between family members, only the standard registration renewal fee based on vehicle value.
- The transfer takes four to six weeks by mail or can be completed faster by visiting a DMV office in person.
- Both the current owner and the new owner must sign the title and the REG 343 form, and the signatures must be notarized.
- If the title is lost or damaged, you must request a duplicate from the DMV before you can transfer it.
What documents you need to gather
Start by collecting the original title certificate. If you cannot find it, you will need to request a duplicate from the DMV before proceeding — this adds two to three weeks to the timeline. You can order a duplicate online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at any DMV office.
Next, get Form REG 343 from the DMV website or pick one up at a DMV office. You will also need to complete an odometer statement, which is usually on the back of the title itself or available as a separate form. Both the current owner and the new owner must sign these documents in front of a notary public. The notary will charge a small fee, typically $5 to $15 per signature.
Finally, calculate the registration renewal fee. The DMV website has a fee calculator, or you can call your local DMV office. The fee is based on the vehicle's value and model year, not on the fact that it is a family transfer.
How to get signatures notarized
Both you (the current owner) and the family member receiving the car must sign the title and Form REG 343 in front of a notary. The notary verifies your identity using a government-issued ID and witnesses your signature. You cannot sign ahead of time and have someone else notarize it later — the notary must see you sign in person.
You can find a notary at most banks (often free if you have an account), UPS stores, FedEx locations, or through a notary search on the California Secretary of State website. Make an appointment if possible, as walk-ins can mean a wait. Bring your government-issued ID and the unsigned documents.
If the new owner lives out of state or far away, they can have their signature notarized separately at a notary in their location. California recognizes notarizations from other states, so this works fine — just make sure both signatures are notarized before you mail the packet to the DMV.
Submitting the paperwork to the DMV
Once everything is signed and notarized, gather the original title, the notarized Form REG 343, the odometer statement, and a check or money order for the registration renewal fee. Do not send cash. Include a cover letter with both owners' names, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the current license plate number so the DMV can match the paperwork to the vehicle in their system.
Mail the packet to the DMV address for your county. You can find the correct address on the DMV website by entering your zip code. Use certified mail with return receipt if you want proof the DMV received it, though this is not required.
Alternatively, visit a DMV office in person with all the same documents. Bring the originals, not copies. You will get a receipt showing the DMV received your transfer request, and processing is usually faster — sometimes just a few days instead of weeks.
What happens after you submit
The DMV will process the transfer and mail a new title certificate to the new owner at the address listed on Form REG 343. This typically takes four to six weeks. During this time, the vehicle is still registered to you, so if there is an accident or traffic violation, you may be contacted. Tell the new owner to watch for the new title in the mail and not to assume the transfer is complete until they receive it.
The new owner will also receive a registration card and renewal notice. They should keep the title in a safe place — it is the legal proof of ownership. If they plan to register the vehicle in another state, they will need this California title as proof of ownership when they apply for a new title in that state.
If you do not receive confirmation after eight weeks, or if the new owner does not receive the title after ten weeks, contact your local DMV office with your receipt number or the tracking information from certified mail.
Special situations: loans, liens, and out-of-state transfers
If the car has a loan or lien on it, the lender's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer the title until the loan is paid off and the lien is removed. Contact the lender and ask them to release the lien. Once they do, they will send you a lien release document. Include this with your transfer paperwork to the DMV.
If the new owner lives outside California and plans to register the car in their home state, the process is the same — transfer the title to them in California first, then they use that California title to register the vehicle in their state. Each state has its own registration process, so they will need to contact their state's DMV for the next steps.
If the title is in both your names (joint ownership), both owners must sign the transfer documents. If the title is in one name only, only that person needs to sign as the current owner, though the new owner must also sign to accept ownership.
Transferring a vehicle with a loan still outstanding
If you are still making payments on the car, the lender holds a lien on the title. You cannot legally transfer ownership until the loan is paid off. However, you can pay off the loan early without penalty in California, and once you do, the lender will release the lien within a few business days.
If you want to transfer the car before paying it off completely, the new owner would need to take over the loan or you would need to pay it off at the time of transfer. This is a financial decision between you and the family member, and you should discuss it with the lender first — some lenders allow loan assumption, while others require full payoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer the title?
No, California does not require a bill of sale for a title transfer. However, creating a simple written agreement between you and the family member — stating the vehicle description, the date, and whether money changed hands — is a good idea for your records and can help if there are any disputes later.
Can I transfer the title if the car is still being financed?
Not until the loan is paid off and the lien is removed from the title. Contact your lender and ask for a lien release. Once you receive it, include it with your transfer paperwork to the DMV.
What if I lost the original title?
Request a duplicate title from the DMV online, by mail, or in person. You will need to provide the VIN and pay a small fee. This usually takes two to three weeks, and you cannot proceed with the transfer until you have the duplicate in hand.
How long does the transfer take if I go to a DMV office in person?
If you submit everything in person with all documents complete and notarized, the DMV can often process it the same day or within a few days. You will receive a receipt showing the transfer was submitted. The new owner will still receive the new title by mail, which takes another one to two weeks.
Can the new owner register the car before receiving the new title?
No. The new owner must wait for the new title to arrive before they can register the vehicle in their name or transfer it to another state. Registration is tied to the title, and the DMV will not issue a registration card until the title transfer is complete.