What you need to do to transfer a California car title
To transfer a car title in California, you submit form REG 135 (process for Title or Registration) to the DMV along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The DMV processes the transfer and issues a new title in the new owner's name. The process takes about two weeks by mail, or you can complete it in person at a DMV office for faster service.
California requires the title transfer to happen within 10 days of the sale. If you are the buyer, you need the seller's signature on the title and bill of sale before you can start. If you are the seller, your responsibility ends once you sign the title over — but you should keep a copy of the bill of sale for your records in case questions arise later.
Key Takeaways
- Form REG 135 is the official California DMV form for transferring a title, and both buyer and seller must sign it.
- You must submit the signed original title, a bill of sale, proof of California residency, and the transfer fee (currently $15 for most transfers) within 10 days of purchase.
- The DMV will not process a title transfer without the seller's original signature on the back of the title document.
- If the title has a lien (the car is financed), the lienholder must sign off or provide a lien release letter before the transfer can be completed.
- Submitting by mail takes two to three weeks; visiting a DMV office in person is faster and lets you walk out with proof of transfer the same day.
Documents the DMV requires for a California title transfer
The original title is the first document you need. It must be signed by the seller on the back. If the title is lost, the seller can request a duplicate from the DMV using form REG 227 before the sale closes. Do not attempt to transfer a title without the original — the DMV will reject the process.
The bill of sale (form REG 135-A or a private bill of sale) records the sale price, vehicle details, and the date of transfer. Both buyer and seller sign it. This document protects both parties and serves as proof of the transaction if questions come up later. You do not have to use the DMV form — a handwritten bill of sale is acceptable as long as it includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), sale price, date, and both signatures.
You also need proof of California residency in the buyer's name. Acceptable documents include a California driver's license, a utility bill, a lease agreement, or a bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If the buyer is not a California resident, they must provide an out-of-state driver's license or ID.
If the vehicle has a lien (meaning it is financed or has a loan against it), the lienholder's name appears on the title. The lienholder must either sign the title release or provide a separate lien release letter. Without this, the DMV cannot transfer the title to the new owner. Contact the lender directly to request the release — do not wait until you are at the DMV.
How to complete form REG 135
Form REG 135 is a single page that both the buyer and seller fill out together. The seller completes the top section with their name, address, and signature. The buyer completes the middle section with their name, address, and signature. Both sections must be signed in ink — photocopied or stamped signatures are not accepted.
The form also asks for the vehicle's VIN, make, model, and year. Copy this information directly from the title or the vehicle itself to avoid errors. If any information is wrong, the DMV will return the process and delay your transfer.
You do not need to notarize form REG 135, but the signatures must be original. If the buyer and seller cannot meet in person, the seller can sign the title and form REG 135 in front of a notary public, and the buyer can submit the notarized documents by mail. Some DMV offices also allow one party to sign in front of a DMV employee if the other party is present.
Submitting your transfer by mail versus in person
Mailing your documents to the DMV is slower but works if you cannot visit an office. Send the original title, signed form REG 135, bill of sale, proof of residency, and the $15 transfer fee (check or money order) to your county's DMV office. Include a cover letter with your name and phone number. Processing takes two to three weeks, and you will receive the new title by mail.
Visiting a DMV office in person is faster. Bring all the same documents, pay the $15 fee in cash or card, and you will receive a temporary registration receipt on the spot. The permanent title arrives by mail within two weeks. Many DMV offices allow you to make an appointment online, which reduces wait time.
If you are buying a vehicle from a private seller and need to register it when ready (for example, to drive it home), submit the transfer in person and ask for a temporary registration document. This allows you to legally drive the vehicle while the permanent title is being processed.
What happens if the title has a lien or is held by a lender
If the seller still owes money on the car, the lender's name appears on the title as the lienholder. The lienholder must release their claim before the title can transfer to you. This is not optional — the DMV will reject any transfer process that includes a lien without a release.
The seller is responsible for paying off the loan and obtaining the lien release from the lender. This usually happens at the time of sale. The lender provides a lien release letter or signs the back of the title to remove their claim. If the seller is paying off the loan as part of the sale, the lender may send the release directly to the buyer or the DMV.
Ask the seller to provide the lien release before you hand over money. If the seller says they will get it after the sale, do not proceed — you cannot legally own the vehicle until the lien is released. If a lien release does not arrive within a few days of the sale, contact the lender directly with the seller's account number to request it.
Common reasons the DMV rejects a title transfer
The most common rejection is a missing or illegible seller signature. The DMV requires the seller's original signature on the back of the title in blue or black ink. Photocopied, stamped, or printed signatures are not accepted. If the signature is faint or unclear, the DMV will return the process and ask for a new title with a clear signature.
Mismatched information also causes rejections. If the name on the title does not match the name on the bill of sale, or if the VIN on the title does not match the VIN on the vehicle, the DMV will reject the transfer. Double-check all information before submitting.
A missing or unsigned bill of sale is another common issue. The bill of sale must be signed by both the buyer and seller. If only one party signs, or if the bill of sale is missing entirely, the DMV will request it before processing.
Outstanding parking tickets or registration violations on the vehicle can also block a transfer. If the seller has unpaid tickets or the vehicle's registration is suspended, the DMV will not issue a new title until those issues are resolved. The seller must clear these before the sale.
Scam alerts and safety information
Do not buy a vehicle with a title that shows a lien unless the seller provides a written commitment to release it before the sale closes. Scammers sometimes sell vehicles they do not fully own, leaving the buyer stuck with a car they cannot legally transfer.
Never wire money or send payment before you have the signed title and bill of sale in your hands. Once you send money, you have no recourse if the seller disappears or the title is fraudulent. Meet in person, verify the title matches the vehicle, and exchange money and documents at the same time.
Be cautious of titles marked "salvage" or "flood." These titles indicate the vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurance company or was damaged by flooding. A salvage title vehicle can be repaired and retitled as "rebuilt," but it will always carry the salvage history and may be worth significantly less. Ask the seller directly if the title is salvage before you commit to the purchase.
If you are buying from a private seller, meet at a police station parking lot or another public location. Bring someone with you. Verify the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the vehicle (usually found on the driver's side dashboard or door jamb). If the numbers do not match, do not complete the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a California title transfer take?
By mail, the transfer takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your process. In person at a DMV office, you receive a temporary registration receipt the same day and the permanent title arrives by mail within two weeks. Processing time can vary depending on the DMV office's workload.
What if the seller will not sign the title?
The seller must sign the title for the transfer to be legal. If the seller refuses, you cannot complete the purchase. Do not give money to a seller who will not sign the title. If you have already paid and the seller refuses to sign, contact local law enforcement to report the fraud.
Can I transfer a title if the seller is deceased?
No, not directly. The title must pass through the seller's estate. The executor or administrator of the estate must sign the title on behalf of the deceased owner. You will need a copy of the death certificate and court documents showing who has authority over the estate. Contact your local DMV office for specific instructions.
Do I need to have the vehicle smog-checked before transferring the title?
A smog check is not required to transfer the title, but it is required to register the vehicle in California. If you are transferring the title and registering the vehicle at the same time, you will need a current smog certificate. Some vehicles are exempt (new cars, electric vehicles, and vehicles over 30 years old). Ask the seller if the vehicle has a current smog certificate.
What if the title is lost or damaged?
The seller can request a duplicate title from the DMV using form REG 227 before the sale. This takes about two weeks. If the title is damaged but readable, the DMV may accept it for transfer. If the title is illegible or missing, the seller must get a duplicate before you can transfer ownership.