Top What is a Title Transfer?

Your title is the document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. Therefore, to change ownership from the designated owner or lienholder (legal owner), a title transfer must take place. The transfer must take place at the DMV within 10 days, thereby updating the records at the DMV. Typical reasons for title transfers include:

• Selling or buying a vehicle

• Paying off a loan

• Transferring to family

• Gifting or donating a vehicle

• Inheriting a vehicle

• Making name corrections

Top Selling a Vehicle

Privately selling your car can seem tricky because both parties want to walk away feeling like they got a good deal. Therefore, consider ordering a vehicle history report to boost the confidence of potential buyers. If they can access info on the vehicle's history, they can make their own determination whether the vehicle is worth what you are asking. To learn more, check out our section dedicated to vehicle history reports.

If you have already sealed the deal, follow these steps to transfer ownership to the new buyer:

1. Locate your California Certificate of Title (pink slip) and enter the mileage in the designated area if your vehicle is less than 10 years old. For more info on odometer mileage reporting, consult the state site.
2. Sign and date the title as the registered owner. Lien holders (if any) must also complete, sign and date the title in order to release ownership. See our section Replacing a Lost Title if you need to order a duplicate.
3. Have the buyer complete, sign and date the title, acknowledging the odometer reading.
4. Obtain smog certification (no older than 90 days) unless your vehicle is one of the following:
• Hybrid or electric
• Natural-gas powered with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 14,001 pounds or more
• Model year 1975 or older
• Diesel powered
• Motorcycle, trailer, or vessel

For more info on the smog requirements in California, visit our section titled Smog & Emission Checks.

5. Hand over the above paperwork to the buyer. He will then pay the DMV a visit to transfer ownership. The necessary steps the buyer must take from this point are outlined in the following section.

NOTE: Although California does not require you to provide a bill of sale, some drivers prefer to have the extra documentation. Find out more about this form in our Bill of Sale section.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

The dealer will take care of new car title transfers.

If you have not yet made a purchase and you are in the market for a new ride, save time and shop online for a new car.

Used Cars

Buying a car is a big step―one that requires plenty of planning and research. First you need to consider your budget and whether the vehicle you can afford will meet your needs. Therefore, consider learning more about auto finance options that suit your budget. Then you'll need to factor into your budget the amount you will pay for car insurance on your new purchase. To compare quotes, visit our Insurance Center.

Lastly, you should find out the most you can about the history of the vehicle you are about to purchase. Before you lay your money down, order a vehicle history report online.

Once you feel comfortable with the sale, and you are ready to make it official take the following steps:

1. Have the seller (and lienholder, if applicable) date and sign the Certificate of Title (pink slip) over to you in order to release ownership. Confirm that he entered the proper mileage in the designated area. Consult the state site if you need more info on odometer mileage reporting.
2. Have the seller hand you the smog certification (no older than 90 days) unless the vehicle is one of the following:
• Hybrid or electric
• Natural-gas powered with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 14,001 pounds or more
• Model year 1975 or older
• Diesel powered
• Motorcycle, trailer, or vessel

If you need to get more info on smog requirements in California, check out our related section.

3. Sign and date the title.
4. Make an appointment at the DMV to register and title the vehicle in your name.
5. On your appointment day, be prepared to present the above paperwork and pay the $15 transfer fee. You must pay the fees within 10 days of making the sale. If you fail to do so within 30 days of the sale, you'll face penalties.

Transferring the title will also update the name on the registration. Just be sure you are aware of the additional fees you must pay using the state site's registration fee calculator. You might also be required to complete an Application for Title or Registration.

Top Removing a Lien

After you pay off your car loan, you'll need the lienholder removed from the title. Typically, this is something the lienholder will take care of for you.

1. Once the lienholder signs the proper line and mails you the title, you have 30 days to update the DMV, removing the lienholder's name.
2. Make an appointment to submit the title (and fees) in person, or mail it along with a check or money order for the appropriate transfer fee to remove/change a legal owner to:


• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Registration Operations
• P.O. Box 942869
• Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

Top Transferring to Family

The state refers to transferring ownership to or from one of the following as a family transfer:

• Spouse

• Parent

• Child

• Grandparent

• Grandchild

• Siblings

• Domestic partner

Keep in mind that California waives the use tax and smog test requirement between immediate family members (including grandparents and grandchildren, but not adult siblings) as long as the registration renewal fees are not due. Read more about this below. If you need to learn more about the smog requirements in California, visit our section titled Smog & Emission Checks.

1. Have the registered owner fill out the back of the title, signing and dating it and entering the mileage in the designated area if the vehicle is less than 10 years old. Read more about odometer mileage reporting on the state site.
2. Have the new owner also sign and date the title, acknowledging the odometer reading.
3. If the registration is not current, the new owner must obtain smog certification from the registered owner or take the car to get smogged himself. If the registration is current, the new owner must complete Statement of Facts to take advantage of the smog and use tax exemption offered by the state.
4. The new owner should then make an appointment at the DMV to register and title the vehicle in his name.
5. On the day of the appointment, the new owner should present the above paperwork and pay the $15 transfer fee.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

When one individual gifts a vehicle to another, the state reestablishes its value using the purchase price (or current market value) to determine the latest Vehicle License Fee. Therefore the recipient should figure out the current market value to input on the Statement of Facts. Read more about this procedure and other requirements below.

If you are the recipient of a gifted vehicle, follow these steps to appropriately transfer ownership:

1. Complete the California Certificate of Title (pink slip) and notate the mileage in the designated area if the vehicle is less than 10 years old. For specifics on odometer mileage reporting, check California's official DMV site.
2. Be sure the vehicle is either currently registered or if not, that a Notice of Planned Non-Operation (REG 102) has been filed at the DMV. Otherwise you could find yourself responsible for late registration fees and penalties. For more info on reporting vehicle status, visit the state site.
3. Unless this is a family transfer (see above section), the new owner must obtain smog certification (no older than 90 days) if the vehicle is not one of the following:
• Hybrid or electric
• Natural-gas powered with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 14,001 pounds or more
• Model year 1975 or older
• Diesel powered
• Motorcycle, trailer, or vessel

Read more about California smog requirements by visiting our section titled Smog & Emission Checks.

4. Fill out a Statement of Facts (REG 256 to apply for a use-tax exemption.
5. Complete a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability keeping a copy for your records. This must be done within five days.
6. Make an appointment at the DMV to register and title the vehicle in your name.
7. On your appointment day, be prepared to present the above paperwork and pay the $15 transfer fee. You must pay the fees within 10 days of making the sale. If you fail to do so within 30 days of the sale, you'll face penalties.

Transferring the title into your name also updates the name on the registration. But be prepared to pay the additional fees associated with vehicle registration. You can calculate this amount using the state site's registration fee calculator. In some cases, you might have to complete an Application for Title or Registration.

Top Donating a Vehicle

There are a number of avenues you can go down when it comes to donating your car; for tips consult our section on car donation.

To be sure you receive the tax credit for your donation, consult a tax attorney for expert advice.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

Forty days after someone passes away, a rightful heir can claim the deceased owner's vehicle. Because some circumstances vary, consider consulting a probate attorney for legal advice.

Here are the steps you, as the heir, must take to transfer ownership:

1. Countersign the deceased owner's Certificate of Title on line one.
2. Complete an Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate.
3. Complete a Odometer Disclosure Statement.
4. Complete the appropriate Statement of Facts sections.
5. Make an appointment to pay the DMV a visit to submit the paperwork and pay the transfer fee.

When you transfer the title, the registration will be updated with the new name. All you'll have to do is pay the additional fees that go along with registering your car. Use the state site's registration fee calculator to find exactly how much you'll owe. Also be prepared to fill out an Application for Title or Registration just in case.

Don't overlook getting insurance on the vehicle if you plan to take it for a spin on California roads. To shop for insurance online, check out our Insurance Center.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Write the corrected name under "New Registered Owner" on your title.
2. Complete a Statement of Facts in the "Name Statement" section. Indicate the reason for the change and sign the form.
3. Make an appointment at the DMV to submit the paperwork, but don't worry about bringing cash. There is no fee to make the change.

If you have recently changed your name―for example through marriage―and need to provide proof of identity for tasks such as applying for a driver's license with your new name, consider obtaining a vital record. For details on updating the DMV with your recent name change, see our section Changing Your Name.

Deleting a Name

1. Have both parties sign the title if it currently has “and” between the names. If it says “or,” only one person needs to sign. Write the corrected name under "New Registered Owner."
2. Submit the revised title to the DMV, first making an appointment at the DMV. Also note the fee to transfer is $15.

Adding a Name

1. Add the new name in the appropriate section on the back of the title.
2. Make an appointment before you head to the DMV. When you submit the revisions you'll also pay a $15 fee.

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