The basic process for transferring a car title in California

To transfer a car title in California, you fill out a form called the process for Title or Registration (Form 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 a check for the transfer fee. The DMV processes the paperwork and mails you a new title in your name within two to three weeks. The entire process costs between $15 and $70 depending on the vehicle's age and whether you need a duplicate title first.

You do not have to visit a DMV office to transfer a title — everything can be done by mail. However, if the current title is lost, damaged, or held by a lender, you will need to handle that first before you can transfer ownership.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the current title, a completed REG 343 form signed by a notary, a bill of sale, and the transfer fee to send to the DMV by mail.
  • The person whose name is on the current title must sign the back of the title or the REG 343 form — the DMV will not accept a signature from anyone else.
  • If the title is held by a lender or lienholder, you must contact them first to get a release of lien before the DMV will transfer ownership to you.
  • The DMV mails the new title to the address you provide on the form, and the process typically takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your paperwork.

What documents you need to gather before you start

The current title is the most important document. It shows who owns the car right now and has a space on the back for the owner's signature. If the title is lost or too damaged to read, you will need to request a duplicate from the DMV first by filling out Form REG 343 and paying a duplicate fee (usually $4 to $10).

A bill of sale is a straightforward document that records the sale between the old owner and the new owner. California does not have an official state form for this, but you can use any bill of sale template that includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and signatures from both the buyer and seller. Some dealerships provide their own bill of sale form.

You also need the REG 343 form, which you can read from the California DMV website or pick up at any DMV office. This form asks for your name, address, the vehicle information, and the reason for the transfer. You must have this form notarized — a notary public must watch you sign it and then stamp it with their seal.

Finally, you need a check or money order for the transfer fee. The fee depends on the vehicle's value and age. A standard title transfer for a vehicle under 10 years old costs $15. Vehicles 10 years or older cost $10. If you are transferring a title for a vehicle with a lien, the fee is $20.

How to get the current owner's signature on the title

The person whose name appears on the current title must sign the back of the title document itself, or they can sign the REG 343 form instead. Either way, their signature must be notarized. This means they need to go to a notary public in person, show a photo ID, and sign the document in front of the notary. The notary will then stamp and date the document.

If the current owner lives far away or cannot meet you in person, they can sign the title or form and have it notarized in their own state or county. Any notary public in the United States can notarize a California title transfer. Once the document is notarized, they can mail it to you, and you can include it with the rest of your paperwork when you send everything to the DMV.

If there are two owners listed on the title, both must sign. If the owner is deceased, the process is different — you will need to provide a death certificate and follow California's probate rules, which vary depending on the estate size.

Handling a title held by a lender or lienholder

If the car is financed and the lender's name appears on the title as a lienholder, you cannot transfer the title to a new owner until the loan is paid off and the lender releases their claim. Contact the lender and ask them to send you a release of lien — a document stating that the loan has been satisfied and the lender no longer has a claim to the vehicle.

Once you receive the release of lien, include it with your other documents when you mail everything to the DMV. Some lenders will mail the release directly to the DMV instead of to you. If that happens, ask the lender for a copy for your records, and let them know the DMV address where you are sending the title transfer paperwork.

If the car is being sold to pay off the loan, the sale often happens at a dealership or through a private buyer who agrees to pay the lender directly. In that case, the lender may handle the title transfer themselves, but you should still confirm this in writing before the sale closes.

Mailing your paperwork to the DMV and what happens next

Once you have gathered all your documents — the notarized title or REG 343 form, the bill of sale, the current title, and your check — put them in an envelope and mail them to the DMV address listed on the form. Do not mail them to a local DMV office; the form will tell you which regional processing center to use based on your county.

The DMV will receive your paperwork and process it in the order it arrives. This typically takes two to three weeks. During this time, you should not try to register the vehicle or use it on public roads under the new owner's name, because the title has not yet been transferred. If you need to drive the car before the new title arrives, you can request a temporary registration from the DMV.

Once the DMV finishes processing, they will mail the new title to the address you provided on the form. The new title will show the new owner's name and will be ready to use. If you do not receive the new title within four weeks, contact the DMV to check the status of your transfer.

When you need to handle the transfer in person at a DMV office

Most title transfers can be completed by mail, but some situations require you to visit a DMV office in person. If the title is missing the owner's signature, if there are questions about the vehicle's history, or if the DMV needs to verify the vehicle's condition, they may send you a notice asking you to come in.

You can also choose to do the transfer in person if you prefer not to mail original documents. Bring the same paperwork you would mail — the title, the bill of sale, the completed REG 343 form (you can have a notary at the DMV office notarize it), and your payment. The DMV will process it on the spot, and you will receive a temporary registration to use while you wait for the new title to arrive by mail.

To find your local DMV office and check wait times, visit the California DMV website and use their office locator tool. Many offices now allow you to make an appointment online, which can save you time waiting in line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a title if the car has an outstanding loan?

No, not until the loan is paid off. The lender must provide a release of lien showing the loan is satisfied. Once you have that document, include it with your transfer paperwork and send everything to the DMV together.

What if I lose the title before I can transfer it?

Request a duplicate title from the DMV by filling out Form REG 343 and paying the duplicate fee. Once you receive the duplicate, you can use it to transfer the title to the new owner. The process is the same as with an original title.

Do I need to have the car inspected before transferring the title?

No inspection is required for a standard title transfer in California. The DMV does not need to see the vehicle. However, if you are transferring a title for a vehicle that was previously registered out of state, the DMV may ask for a smog check certificate.

How long does it take to get the new title after I mail everything to the DMV?

The DMV typically processes title transfers within two to three weeks of receiving your paperwork. You can check the status online using the DMV's website if you want to confirm receipt. If you do not receive the new title within four weeks, contact the DMV to follow up.

What if the current owner and new owner have different last names?

This does not affect the transfer process. The new owner's name will straightforward replace the old owner's name on the new title. Make sure both names are spelled correctly on the bill of sale and the REG 343 form to avoid delays.