What you need to do to transfer a car title in California

To transfer a car title 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 submit it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles along with the current title, a bill of sale, and a check or money order for the transfer fee. The DMV processes the paperwork and mails you a new title in the transferee's name within two to three weeks. The exact steps and fees depend on whether you're buying the car from a private seller, trading it in, inheriting it, or receiving it as a gift.

You cannot drive the car legally while the title transfer is pending. The seller remains the registered owner until the DMV issues the new title. If you buy a car and the seller doesn't transfer the title, you have no legal ownership claim and the seller can still be held liable for parking tickets, tolls, or accidents involving that vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • You must complete Form REG 343, have it notarized, and submit it to the DMV along with the current title and a bill of sale within 10 days of purchase.
  • The transfer fee varies based on the vehicle's value and whether you're transferring from a private party, dealer, or family member.
  • The seller should remove their license plates and notify the DMV of the sale to avoid liability for future violations or accidents.
  • If the title has a lien (the car is financed), the lienholder must sign off on the transfer, and you cannot take ownership until the loan is paid off or assumed.
  • Out-of-state titles must be submitted to the DMV along with proof of a smog inspection before a California title can be issued.

Gathering the documents you'll need

Start by collecting the current title, which the seller must provide. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from the DMV before the sale. You'll also need a bill of sale, which is a written record of the transaction that includes the sale price, the date, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the odometer reading, and the signatures of both buyer and seller. California does not have a required bill of sale form, but you can use the DMV's optional form or write one yourself as long as it contains those details.

If the car is financed or has a loan against it, the title will show a lienholder — usually a bank or credit union. The lienholder must sign the title to release their claim. Some lienholders will mail the signed title directly to you or the DMV; others require you to pay off the loan first. Contact the lienholder before you buy to understand their process.

You'll also need proof of identity (a driver's license or passport), proof of California residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and a smog certification if the car is more than four years old and was registered out of state. If you're buying from a dealer, they typically handle much of this paperwork, but you're still responsible for verifying that the title transfer is completed.

Completing Form REG 343 and getting it notarized

Form REG 343 is the Application for Title or Registration. You can download it from the California DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office. Fill in your name, address, and driver's license number in the "New Owner" section. Enter the vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year, odometer reading) exactly as it appears on the current title. If you're buying from a private party, check the "Private Party" box; if from a dealer, check "Dealer."

Both you and the seller must sign the form in front of a notary public. The seller signs in the "Seller" section; you sign in the "Buyer" section. A notary verifies your identities and witnesses your signatures. You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, law offices, or online services. Notary fees typically range from $10 to $30 per signature. Do not sign the form before meeting the notary — they must watch you sign.

If the car has a lienholder, the lienholder's representative must also sign the form in front of the notary, or they can sign separately and mail their signature directly to the DMV. Check with the lienholder about their preferred method.

Submitting your paperwork to the DMV

Mail or deliver your notarized Form REG 343, the current title, the bill of sale, and a check or money order for the transfer fee to your local DMV office or the DMV's mailing address. You can find the correct mailing address on the DMV website. Include a copy of your proof of residency and a copy of the smog certification if required.

The transfer fee depends on the vehicle's value. For vehicles valued under $40,000, the fee is typically $15 to $70; for vehicles over $40,000, the fee can be higher. The DMV website has a fee calculator. If you're transferring a title from a family member or as a gift, different fees may apply — gifts from parents to children, for example, may have reduced or waived fees in some cases.

You can also submit your paperwork in person at a DMV office. Bring the original notarized form, the original title, the bill of sale, your proof of identity, and your proof of residency. The DMV will accept your documents and give you a receipt. Processing typically takes two to three weeks by mail or one to two weeks if you submit in person.

What happens after you submit

The DMV will process your paperwork and mail a new title in your name to the address you provided on Form REG 343. During this time, you are the registered owner but do not yet have the official title document. You cannot legally drive the car until you receive the new title and register it for a license plate.

If there are errors or missing information, the DMV will mail you a notice asking you to correct them. This can add one to two weeks to the process. Check your paperwork carefully before submitting to avoid delays.

Once you receive the new title, you must register the vehicle within 20 days to obtain license plates. Registration requires proof of insurance, a smog certificate (if applicable), and a registration fee. You can register online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

Special situations: inherited cars, gifts, and out-of-state titles

If you inherit a car, the process is similar but requires additional documents. You'll need a certified copy of the death certificate, a court order or probate document showing you as the heir, and the original title. Some counties allow you to transfer an inherited vehicle without probate if the estate is small; check with your county clerk's office. The transfer fee for inherited vehicles is often waived or reduced.

If you receive a car as a gift, you still need a bill of sale (even if the price is $0), the notarized form, and the title. The DMV may assess a transfer fee based on the vehicle's fair market value, not the stated gift price. If you're receiving a gift from a parent or grandparent, you may be able to claim a reduced fee; check the DMV website for current rules.

If the car was registered out of state, you must submit the out-of-state title, a smog certification from a California-approved station, and proof that the vehicle meets California emissions standards. Some out-of-state titles cannot be transferred directly; the DMV may require you to surrender the old title and apply for a new California title instead. This process takes longer and may require an in-person visit to a DMV office.

What the seller should do

After you buy the car, the seller should remove their license plates and notify the California DMV that they have sold the vehicle. The seller can do this by submitting a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) to the DMV. This protects the seller from liability for parking tickets, traffic violations, tolls, or accidents that occur after the sale.

The seller can submit Form REG 138 online, by mail, or in person. If submitted online or in person, the protection is immediate. If submitted by mail, the seller is protected as of the date the form is postmarked. The seller should keep a copy of the form and the DMV's receipt as proof.

If the seller does not submit this form and you do not register the car promptly, the seller may receive notices for violations or accidents involving the vehicle. This is why it's important for both parties to complete their paperwork quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a new title after I submit the paperwork?

The DMV typically mails a new title within two to three weeks if you submit by mail, or one to two weeks if you submit in person at a DMV office. If there are errors or missing documents, the DMV will contact you and processing will take longer. You can check the status of your application online using your application number.

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

No. You cannot legally drive the car until you receive the new title and register it for license plates. Driving an unregistered vehicle is a violation. If you need to move the car before the title arrives, you can request a temporary permit from the DMV, though this is not always granted.

What if the seller won't sign the title?

If the seller refuses to sign the title after you've paid for the car, you have a civil dispute. You can sue the seller in small claims court to recover your money or force the transfer. Do not give the seller money until you have the signed title in hand. If you've already paid, contact a lawyer or your local legal aid office.

Do I need to get a smog check before transferring the title?

If the car was registered in California, you do not need a smog check to transfer the title. You will need one to register the vehicle for plates. If the car was registered out of state, you must submit a smog certification from a California-approved station as part of the title transfer process.

What if there's a lien on the title and the seller won't pay it off?

You cannot take legal ownership of a car with an active lien unless you pay off the loan or the lienholder agrees to release the lien. If the seller promises to pay off the loan after you buy the car but doesn't, you have no legal recourse through the DMV. Insist on a clear title or proof that the loan will be paid at the time of sale. Consider using an escrow service to hold the money until the lien is released.