California requires you to transfer the title within 10 days of purchase, and you do it through the Department of Motor Vehicles, not through the seller or a dealership
When you buy a car in California, the seller signs the back of the title certificate and gives it to you. You then take that signed title, along with a few other documents, to a DMV office or submit them by mail. The DMV processes the transfer, issues a new title in your name, and registers the vehicle to you. This is a separate step from registration — you need both.
The 10-day window is a legal important date. If you miss it, you may face late fees, and the vehicle remains registered to the previous owner, which creates liability problems if the car is involved in an accident or used in a crime. Most people complete the transfer within a few days of purchase.
California allows you to handle this in person at any DMV office, by mail, or through certain third-party services like AAA if you are a member. The in-person route is fastest if you have all documents ready.
Key Takeaways
- You have 10 days from the date of purchase to transfer the title at the California DMV, or you face late fees and liability issues.
- The seller must sign the back of the title certificate and give it to you; the DMV does not accept unsigned titles.
- You will need the signed title, proof of California residency, a bill of sale, and proof of a smog check (for most vehicles) to complete the transfer.
- In-person transfer at a DMV office usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, while mail processing takes two to four weeks.
- If the title has a lien (the seller still owes money on the car), the lienholder must also sign the title, and you cannot take ownership until the lien is cleared.
What documents you need to bring or submit
The California DMV requires the following documents for a title transfer:
| Document | What it is | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Title certificate (signed) | The original title with the seller's signature on the back | The seller provides this at sale |
| process for Title or Registration (Form REG 343) | The official DMV form you fill out with your information and the vehicle details | DMV website or any DMV office |
| Proof of residency | A document showing your California address (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail dated within 90 days) | Your own records |
| Bill of sale | A written record of the purchase price and date; can be a straightforward receipt or the DMV form (REG 135) | You and the seller create this; DMV form available online |
| Smog check certificate | Proof the vehicle passed an emissions test (not required for vehicles under four years old or certain other exceptions) | A smog check station; the station sends it to the DMV electronically in most cases |
| Identification | A valid driver's license or state ID | Your own records |
If the title has a lien on it — meaning the seller still owes money to a bank or finance company — the lienholder's name appears on the title. The lienholder must also sign the title before you can transfer it. Ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release letter or a signed title. Some lenders release the lien electronically, in which case the seller receives a new title without the lien and can sign that version to you.
If you are buying from a private seller and do not have a formal bill of sale, you can create one yourself. Write down the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date, and have both you and the seller sign it. The DMV accepts handwritten bills of sale.
How to transfer the title in person at a DMV office
Find your nearest DMV office on the California DMV website and check its hours. You do not need an appointment for a title transfer in most offices, but some locations use an online reservation system. Bring all the documents listed above, your signed title, and your identification.
When you arrive, take a number at the counter and wait to be called. Tell the representative you are transferring a title. Hand over your documents. The representative will review them, fill out any missing information on the forms, and collect the transfer fee. As of 2024, the California title transfer fee is $15 for a standard transfer, though fees vary slightly if the vehicle is new or if you are also registering it for the first time.
The DMV will issue you a temporary registration document on the spot, valid for 90 days while your permanent registration and new title are mailed to you. Your new title arrives in the mail within two to three weeks. Keep the temporary registration in your vehicle until the permanent one arrives.
Transferring the title by mail
If you cannot visit a DMV office, you can mail your documents to the DMV. Make copies of everything — do not send originals unless the DMV specifically requests them. Include the signed title, the completed REG 343 form, your proof of residency, the bill of sale, and a check or money order for the $15 transfer fee made out to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Mail the packet to the DMV address listed on the form or the website. Processing by mail takes two to four weeks. You will receive a temporary registration document in the mail, followed by your permanent title and registration. During the processing period, you should not drive the vehicle except to a smog check station or to a DMV office if needed.
Keep a copy of everything you mail, and consider using certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof the DMV received your documents. If your documents are lost in the mail, the return receipt protects you.
What happens if the seller does not sign the title
The DMV cannot process a title transfer without the seller's signature on the back of the title certificate. If the seller refuses to sign or has disappeared, you cannot legally own the vehicle. Do not take possession of the car or drive it until the title is signed.
If you have already paid for the car and the seller will not sign, you have a civil dispute. You may pursue the seller in small claims court to recover your money or force them to sign the title. Contact a local attorney or your county's small claims court for guidance. In the meantime, the vehicle remains registered to the seller, and you have no legal ownership rights.
If the seller has died, the title must be signed by their estate or heir. Contact the DMV for instructions on how to handle a title transfer from a deceased person's estate.
Smog check requirements and timing
California requires a smog check for most vehicles before the title can be transferred. The main exceptions are vehicles manufactured within the current year and the previous three model years, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds, and electric vehicles.
You must obtain the smog check before you submit your title transfer documents to the DMV. Go to a California-certified smog check station — you can find one on the DMV website or by searching online. The test takes about 30 minutes and costs between $30 and $70 depending on the station and vehicle type.
When you pass the smog check, the station issues a certificate. In most cases, the station electronically sends the results to the DMV, so you do not need to bring a paper copy. If the station does not send it electronically, they will give you a paper certificate to include with your title transfer documents. If the vehicle fails the smog check, you cannot transfer the title until repairs are made and the vehicle passes a retest.
Transferring a title with a lien or loan
If the seller still owes money on the car, a bank or finance company holds a lien on the title. The lienholder's name appears on the title certificate. You cannot take ownership until the lien is removed.
Ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release. Some lenders release the lien electronically and issue a new title without the lien holder's name. The seller then signs this new title and gives it to you. Other lenders provide a lien release letter that the seller must include with the original title when signing it over to you.
When you submit your documents to the DMV, include the original title with both the seller's and lienholder's signatures, or the original title with the seller's signature plus the lien release letter. The DMV will process the transfer and issue a new title in your name with no lien.
If the seller's loan payoff amount is higher than the sale price, the seller owes money at closing. This is their responsibility, not yours. Do not agree to pay off the loan yourself — that creates a separate financial obligation and legal complications. Wait until the lien is released before taking the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the car before the title transfer is complete?
No. Until the title is transferred to your name, the vehicle is still registered to the seller. If you are stopped by police or involved in an accident, the seller is the registered owner and liable. You should not drive the vehicle except to a smog check station or directly to a DMV office. Once you receive your temporary registration at the DMV, you can drive legally.
What if I lose the signed title before I can submit it to the DMV?
Contact the seller when ready and ask them to request a duplicate title from the DMV. The seller can do this online or in person. Once they receive the duplicate, they sign it and give it to you. If the seller refuses or cannot be reached, you will need to pursue a civil claim or contact an attorney. Do not attempt to forge a signature.
Do I need to register the vehicle separately after transferring the title?
Title transfer and vehicle registration are handled together at the DMV. When you submit your title transfer documents, the DMV also registers the vehicle to you. You will receive both a new title and a registration card in the mail. You do not need to make a separate registration step.
How long does it take to get the new title in the mail?
If you transfer in person, the DMV issues a temporary registration on the spot, and your permanent title arrives by mail in two to three weeks. If you mail your documents, the entire process takes two to four weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. Check the DMV website for current processing times, as they vary by location and season.
What if the vehicle has an out-of-state title?
You will need to transfer the out-of-state title to California. Bring the out-of-state title, your California proof of residency, identification, a bill of sale, and a smog check certificate to a DMV office. The DMV will process the transfer and issue a California title. If the out-of-state title has a lien, follow the same lien release process described above.