REG 343 is California's official form for reporting a vehicle transfer without a title

REG 343 is the "Statement of Facts Concerning Manufacture of Vehicle" — a form you file with the California DMV when you are selling or transferring a vehicle but cannot locate the original title document. The DMV uses this form to create a replacement title in your name so you can legally transfer ownership to the buyer.

You do not need REG 343 if you have the title in hand. You only file it when the title is lost, stolen, or was never issued to you in the first place. The form tells the DMV what happened to the title and gives them enough information to issue a new one before the sale closes.

This is different from a lost-title replacement for your own records. REG 343 is specifically about completing a sale when the seller cannot produce the document the buyer needs. Without it, the buyer cannot register the vehicle in their name.

Key Takeaways

  • REG 343 is filed by the current vehicle owner when they cannot locate the title but need to sell or transfer the vehicle.
  • The form requires your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a statement of what happened to the original title.
  • You submit REG 343 to your local DMV office in person; it cannot be mailed or filed online.
  • The DMV will issue a replacement title in your name, which you then sign over to the buyer as part of the sale.
  • Processing usually takes one to two weeks, so file this form before you have a buyer lined up if possible.

When you actually need to file REG 343

You file REG 343 if you own a vehicle registered in California and the title document is missing, but you want to sell or transfer it. Common situations include inheriting a vehicle without receiving the title, buying a used car from a private seller who lost their title, or discovering your title was never mailed to you after a previous registration.

If you straightforward want a replacement title for your own records — because you lost it but are not selling — you do not use REG 343. Instead, you request a duplicate title directly from the DMV using form REG 14. REG 343 is only for transfers of ownership.

You also do not need REG 343 if the seller still has the title. In that case, they sign it over to you at the time of sale, and you bring the signed title to the DMV along with your purchase paperwork.

What information you must provide on the form

REG 343 asks for your full name, current address, and California driver's license number. You will also need the vehicle's VIN (found on the dashboard, door jamb, or registration documents), the year and make of the vehicle, and the license plate number if you know it.

The form includes a section where you describe what happened to the title — for example, "Title was lost during a move," "Title was never received after purchase," or "Vehicle was inherited and title was not transferred." Be factual and specific. The DMV does not require proof of your story, but the statement must be truthful.

You will sign the form in front of a DMV employee. Bring your driver's license or other government-issued ID to verify your identity. If someone else is filing on your behalf (such as a power of attorney), they will need a signed authorization document and their own ID.

How to file REG 343 at your local DMV office

REG 343 must be filed in person at a California DMV office. You cannot mail it or file it through the DMV website. Bring the completed form, your driver's license, and the vehicle's VIN (written down if you do not have the registration document). Some offices ask you to bring the vehicle itself for inspection, though this is not always required — call ahead to confirm what your local office needs.

You do not need an appointment at most DMV offices to file REG 343, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon usually means a shorter wait than midday or Friday. Check the DMV website for your local office's hours and current wait times.

The DMV employee will review your form, verify your identity, and ask you to sign it. They will then submit it for processing. You will receive a receipt showing your transaction number. Keep this receipt — you may need it to track the status of your replacement title.

Timeline for receiving your replacement title

After you file REG 343, the DMV typically issues a replacement title within one to two weeks. During this time, the title is being printed and mailed to your address on file. You cannot pick it up at the office — it comes by mail.

If you have a buyer waiting, let them know the timeline upfront. Many private sales fall through because the buyer expects to drive home the same day. Once you receive the replacement title in the mail, you sign it over to the buyer, and they take it to the DMV to register the vehicle in their name.

If your replacement title does not arrive within three weeks, contact your local DMV office with your transaction number. Processing times can vary depending on office workload and whether the DMV needs to verify any information about the vehicle.

What happens after the buyer receives the signed title

Once you sign the replacement title over to the buyer, they become responsible for registering it. They will take the signed title, proof of purchase (bill of sale), proof of insurance, and their ID to the DMV to complete the registration transfer. The buyer pays the registration fee at that time.

You are no longer the registered owner once they file the transfer. However, you may want to file a "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability" (form REG 138) with the DMV to protect yourself from liability if the vehicle is involved in an accident or traffic violation after the sale. This form is optional but recommended.

Common mistakes to avoid when filing REG 343

The most common error is filing REG 343 when you should be filing REG 14 (duplicate title for your own use) or when the title actually exists but is just misplaced. Double-check your records and contact the DMV before you file — they can tell you whether a title was ever issued in your name.

Another mistake is providing incomplete or vague information about what happened to the title. "Lost" is acceptable, but "I don't know" or leaving the section blank will cause the DMV to reject the form and ask you to resubmit it. Take time to write a clear, honest statement.

Do not assume you can mail REG 343 or file it online. The DMV requires in-person filing for this form. Mailing it will result in a delay or rejection. Plan to visit your local office during business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file REG 343 if the vehicle has a lien on it?

Yes, but the lienholder (usually a bank or credit union) must be listed on the replacement title. Contact your lender before filing REG 343 and ask them to provide written authorization for the title transfer. The DMV will note the lien on the replacement title, and the buyer will need to work with the lender to clear it before taking ownership.

What if I inherited the vehicle and never received a title?

File REG 343 and explain in the statement section that the vehicle was inherited and the title was never transferred to you. You may also need to provide a copy of the will or probate documents showing you are the legal heir. Bring these documents with you when you file, even though they are not required on the form itself.

How much does it cost to file REG 343?

There is no separate fee for filing REG 343. However, you will pay the standard title replacement fee when the DMV issues the replacement title. This fee varies but is typically under $25. The buyer will then pay registration fees when they transfer the title into their name.

Can someone else file REG 343 on my behalf?

Yes, if you give them a signed power of attorney document. The person filing must bring the signed authorization, their own government-issued ID, and all the vehicle information. They will sign the form in front of the DMV employee as your representative.

What if the DMV says the vehicle title was never issued?

This sometimes happens with very old vehicles or those with unclear ownership history. Contact the DMV's title section directly — they may ask you to file additional paperwork or provide proof of ownership (such as old registration documents or a bill of sale from the previous owner). In rare cases, you may need to go through a court process to establish ownership.