How to Transfer a Car Title in California

What You Need to Do to Transfer a Car Title in California

To transfer a car title in California, you complete a form called the process for Title or Registration (REG 343), sign it in front of a notary public, and mail it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with the current title, a bill of sale, and the transfer fee. The process takes roughly two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your documents. You do not need to visit a DMV office in person unless you are transferring a vehicle with a lien that has not been released, or if the title has been lost or damaged.

California requires the signature of both the seller and buyer on the title document itself, and both signatures must be notarized. This is the single most common reason transfers are rejected — a signature missing, not notarized, or dated after the bill of sale. The DMV will return incomplete paperwork without processing it, which adds another two to three weeks to your timeline.

Key Takeaways

You must complete form REG 343, have both signatures notarized, and mail the original title to the DMV along with a bill of sale and the transfer fee.
The seller and buyer signatures on the title itself must both be notarized; a notarized bill of sale alone is not sufficient.
Processing takes two to three weeks after the DMV receives your complete packet, so plan ahead if you need the new title by a specific date.
If the title has a lien on it, the lienholder must release it in writing before you can transfer ownership, which can add one to two weeks.
You can mail your documents or use an authorized third-party service, but you cannot submit the transfer online through the DMV website.

Gather the Documents the DMV Requires

Start by collecting the original title, the bill of sale, and proof of payment of any sales tax owed. California requires a bill of sale even though the title itself will be signed by both parties. The bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the printed names and signatures of both buyer and seller. You can use the DMV's bill of sale form (REG 135), or you can write your own as long as it contains those four pieces of information.

If the vehicle has a lien on the title — meaning a bank or finance company still holds a security interest — you will need a lien release letter from that lienholder. This is a separate document that the lienholder must provide to the seller. The seller should request it from their lender at the same time they arrange the final payoff. Some lenders mail the lien release directly to the DMV; others give it to the seller to include in the transfer packet. Ask your lender which process they use, because if the lien release does not arrive at the DMV with your other documents, your transfer will be held up.

You will also need to pay the transfer fee. As of 2024, the standard transfer fee is $15, but this varies depending on the vehicle type and whether you are also registering it in California. If you are transferring a title but not registering the vehicle in California (for example, if you are buying it to resell or ship out of state), you pay only the title transfer fee. If you are registering it in California at the same time, you will owe registration fees in addition to the transfer fee.

Have Both Signatures Notarized Before Mailing

The buyer and seller must both sign the title document in the presence of a notary public. The notary will then stamp and sign the title to certify that both signatures were made in their presence. This is a legal requirement in California and cannot be skipped or substituted with a notarized bill of sale alone.

You can find a notary at most banks, credit unions, UPS stores, and some pharmacies. Many charge between $5 and $15 per signature. The seller and buyer do not have to be notarized at the same time or place — each can visit a different notary — but both signatures must appear on the same title document before it is mailed to the DMV. If the seller signs first and the buyer signs later at a different notary, both notarizations are valid as long as they are on the same document.

Do not sign the title before visiting the notary. The notary must watch you sign it. If you sign it at home and then bring a pre-signed title to the notary, the notarization is invalid and the DMV will reject the transfer.

Complete Form REG 343 and Prepare Your Mailing Packet

The process for Title or Registration (REG 343) is the form that tells the DMV you want to transfer the title. You can read it from the California DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office. Fill in the vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year), the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, and the sale price. Do not sign this form — it does not require a signature.

Organize your packet in this order: the completed REG 343, the original title with both notarized signatures, the bill of sale, the lien release letter (if applicable), and a check or money order for the transfer fee made out to the California DMV. Do not send cash. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and email address so the DMV can contact you if there are questions.

Mail the entire packet to the DMV address listed on the REG 343 form. Use certified mail with return receipt if you want proof of delivery, though it is not required. The DMV processes mail in the order it is received, and processing typically takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your packet. You can check the status of your transfer by calling the DMV or visiting their website, though you will need your VIN and the date you mailed the documents.

What Happens If the Title Has a Lien

If the seller still owes money on the vehicle, the title will show a lienholder — usually a bank or credit union. The seller cannot transfer a clear title to you until that lien is released. The lienholder must provide a written release, which is typically a one-page letter stating that the loan has been paid off and the lien is removed.

The timing of the lien release matters. If the seller is paying off the loan as part of the sale, they should contact their lender and ask for the lien release to be mailed directly to the DMV, or to themselves so they can include it in the transfer packet. Some lenders release the lien electronically to the DMV; others mail a paper release. Ask the lender which method they use and request that the release be sent to the DMV address, not to the seller's home, to avoid delays.

If the lien release does not arrive at the DMV with your transfer packet, the DMV will hold your process and send a notice to the seller asking them to provide it. This adds one to two weeks to the process. To avoid this, have the lien release in hand before you mail your transfer documents, and include it in the same packet you send to the DMV.

Use a Third-Party Service If You Cannot Mail Documents Yourself

If you do not want to handle the paperwork yourself, you can use an authorized DMV service center or a private title transfer service. Authorized service centers are operated by the DMV and charge a small fee on top of the transfer fee. Private services — sometimes called title companies or document preparation services — charge higher fees but often complete the transfer faster because they submit documents in person or electronically.

When you use a service, you still provide all the original documents and pay all the same fees. The service does not reduce the time the DMV takes to process the transfer; it only handles the paperwork on your behalf. If you choose this route, make sure the service is authorized by the California DMV. You can verify this on the DMV website.

The buyer and seller still must sign the title in front of a notary. Some services have notaries on staff; others will direct you to a notary in your area. Either way, you cannot avoid the notarization step.

Common Reasons Transfers Are Rejected or Delayed

The most frequent reason the DMV rejects a transfer is a missing or invalid notarization. If either the buyer or seller signature is not notarized, or if the notary stamp is illegible or incomplete, the DMV will return the entire packet. The second most common issue is a mismatch between the names on the title and the names on the bill of sale — for example, if the title says "John Smith" but the bill of sale says "J. Smith" or "John A. Smith." The names must match exactly.

A third common delay is a lien that has not been released. If the title shows a lienholder and no lien release letter is included, the DMV will send a notice to the seller asking for it. This can take weeks to resolve if the seller is slow to respond or if the lender is slow to provide the release.

Illegible or damaged titles also cause delays. If the title is water-damaged, torn, or faded to the point that the VIN or lienholder information cannot be read clearly, the DMV may request a replacement title before processing the transfer. You can request a replacement title by submitting form REG 227 to the DMV, which takes an additional two to three weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a title if the seller is out of state?

Yes. The seller does not have to be in California. They can sign the title and have it notarized in their home state, then mail it to you. You then complete the transfer as normal. The notarization must still be done by a notary public, and the signature must be on the title document itself, but the notary does not have to be in California.

What if I lose the title before I transfer it?

You can request a replacement title from the DMV by submitting form REG 227 and paying a replacement fee. The DMV will mail you a new title, which takes two to three weeks. Once you have the replacement, you proceed with the transfer as normal. The seller and buyer must still sign and have the new title notarized.

Do I need to register the vehicle in California when I transfer the title?

No. You can transfer the title without registering the vehicle in California if you plan to register it in another state or not register it at all. However, if you plan to drive the vehicle in California, you must register it within 20 days of purchase. Registration and title transfer are separate processes, though you can complete both at the same time by including registration forms in your mailing packet.

How long does the DMV take to mail me the new title?

After the DMV processes your transfer, they mail the new title to the buyer's address. This typically takes one to two weeks after they process your process. So the total time from mailing your documents to receiving the new title is usually four to five weeks, though it can be longer if there are any issues with your paperwork.

Can I transfer a title online through the California DMV website?

No. California does not offer online title transfers. You must mail your documents to the DMV or use an authorized service center or private title service. Some services offer online portals where you can upload documents and track your transfer, but the actual submission to the DMV is done by mail or in person.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.