California Form 262 is the Statement of Facts for Vehicle Registration

Form 262 is California's official statement used when you need to register a vehicle but cannot provide standard proof of ownership — typically because you bought it from a private seller, inherited it, or received it as a gift and the title paperwork is missing or incomplete. The Department of Motor Vehicles uses this form to document the facts of how you came to own the vehicle so they can issue you a registration without requiring the original title document.

You file Form 262 along with your vehicle registration process. The form asks you to describe how you obtained the vehicle, who you bought it from or received it from, and what documents you do have that show ownership or possession. The DMV then uses your statement, combined with whatever supporting documents you can provide, to determine whether to register the vehicle in your name.

This form is not the same as a title process. It is a supporting document that helps the DMV process your registration when the normal title transfer process cannot happen because paperwork is missing or the previous owner cannot be located.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 262 is filed when you own a vehicle but lack the original title document or cannot get the previous owner to sign the title over to you.
  • You submit it with your registration process and any other proof of ownership you have, such as a bill of sale, gift letter, or inheritance documents.
  • The DMV uses your written statement to verify you are the legitimate owner before issuing registration and a new title in your name.
  • Processing time varies depending on how complete your supporting documents are and whether the DMV needs to investigate the vehicle's history.
  • You can obtain Form 262 from the California DMV website, any DMV office, or by mail request.

When You Need to File Form 262

You need Form 262 in situations where you own a vehicle but the standard title transfer process will not work. The most common scenario is buying a used vehicle from a private seller who cannot locate their title or refuses to sign it over. Another common reason is inheriting a vehicle when the previous owner's estate is complicated or the will has not been probated yet.

You may also need Form 262 if you received a vehicle as a gift and the previous owner has moved away or cannot be contacted, or if you have been in possession of a vehicle for years but never formally registered it in your name. In each case, you are asking the DMV to accept your statement of the facts in place of the standard paperwork chain.

If you have the title document but it is damaged, signed incorrectly, or missing the seller's signature, you typically do not need Form 262 — you would instead request a corrected title or use a different process. Contact your local DMV office to confirm which form applies to your specific situation.

What Information Form 262 Requires

The form asks you to provide your name, address, and driver's license number. You then describe how you obtained the vehicle: whether you purchased it, inherited it, received it as a gift, or came to possess it another way. You must provide the name and last known address of the previous owner or the person you obtained it from.

You also list what documents you have that show ownership or possession — for example, a bill of sale, a gift letter, an insurance policy in your name, registration documents from previous years, or a probate court order if you inherited the vehicle. The form asks you to explain why you do not have the original title and whether you have made any effort to locate the previous owner or obtain the title from them.

Be specific and honest in your answers. The DMV uses this information to assess whether your claim to ownership is credible. Vague or incomplete answers can delay processing or result in denial.

Documents to Gather Before Filing

Bring or submit as many supporting documents as you can find. A bill of sale signed by the previous owner is the strongest evidence you can provide — it shows the date of purchase, the price, and both parties' signatures. If you received the vehicle as a gift, a signed gift letter from the previous owner stating they gave you the vehicle with no payment is nearly as strong.

Insurance documents showing the vehicle in your name, even if they are old, help prove you have been in possession and control of the vehicle. Registration documents from previous owners, maintenance records, or repair invoices in your name also support your claim. If you inherited the vehicle, bring a copy of the death certificate, the will, or a probate court order showing you as the beneficiary.

If you have a loan on the vehicle, bring the loan agreement showing you as the borrower. Bring your driver's license and proof of California residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement. The more documentation you provide, the faster the DMV can process your Form 262.

How to Obtain and Submit Form 262

You can read Form 262 from the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Search for "Form 262" in their forms section. You can also pick up a copy at any DMV office during business hours, or request one by mail by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133.

Fill out the form completely and legibly. Sign and date it in front of a notary public — the DMV requires a notarized signature on Form 262. You do not need to notarize it before submitting, but you must have it notarized before the DMV will accept it as part of your registration process.

Submit Form 262 along with your vehicle registration process (Form REG 343), proof of ownership documents, proof of California residency, your driver's license, and the vehicle's smog certification if required. You can submit everything by mail to your local DMV office or in person. Mail submissions typically take longer to process than in-person submissions.

Processing Time and What Happens Next

The DMV does not publish a standard processing time for Form 262 submissions because the time depends on how complete your supporting documents are and whether the DMV needs to investigate the vehicle's history. straightforward cases with strong documentation — such as a signed bill of sale and proof of insurance — may be processed within two to four weeks. Complex cases or cases with missing information can take six weeks or longer.

The DMV may contact you by phone or mail if they need clarification on any part of your statement or if they need additional documents. If you provided a phone number on the form, they will call you. Respond promptly to any requests for more information, as delays in your response will extend the processing time.

Once the DMV approves your Form 262 and registration process, they will issue you a new title in your name and registration documents. You will receive these by mail at the address you provided on the process. The vehicle is not legally registered in your name until you receive the official registration documents from the DMV.

Common Reasons Form 262 Applications Are Delayed or Denied

The most common reason for delay is incomplete or missing supporting documents. If you claim you bought the vehicle from someone but provide no bill of sale and cannot explain why, the DMV will ask for more information. If you say the previous owner cannot be located but provide no evidence of your attempts to find them, processing will stall.

Applications are sometimes denied if the DMV suspects the vehicle may be stolen or if there is a lien or judgment against the vehicle that you did not disclose. If the vehicle has been reported stolen or has an active police hold, the DMV will not register it in your name regardless of your Form 262. If there is a lien from a previous loan, you must pay off that lien or provide proof it has been released before the DMV will issue a new title.

Providing false information on Form 262 is a crime. If you knowingly make false statements to the DMV, you can face criminal charges. Be truthful about how you obtained the vehicle and what documents you have, even if the truth is incomplete or inconvenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register a vehicle without Form 262 if I have lost the title?

Not always. If you have lost the title but the previous owner is willing to sign a new title process, you can use the standard title transfer process. If the previous owner cannot or will not cooperate, Form 262 is your path forward. Contact your local DMV office to discuss your specific situation.

Do I need a notary before I submit Form 262 to the DMV?

Yes. The DMV requires Form 262 to be notarized before they will accept it. You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, and some libraries. Notarization typically costs between $5 and $15. Have your driver's license ready when you visit the notary.

What if the previous owner is deceased and I cannot find their will?

Bring a death certificate and any documents showing you are a family member or beneficiary. If you have no formal proof of inheritance, explain the situation on Form 262 and provide whatever family documentation you have. The DMV may require you to go through probate court to establish your right to the vehicle, depending on its value and your state's probate laws.

How long does it take to get a new title after Form 262 is approved?

Once the DMV approves your Form 262 and registration process, you will receive your new title and registration documents by mail within two to three weeks. You cannot legally drive the vehicle until you receive the official registration documents, even if the DMV has verbally approved your process.

Can I drive the vehicle while my Form 262 process is being processed?

No. You cannot legally drive or register a vehicle until the DMV issues you a registration document in your name. Driving an unregistered vehicle can result in a citation and impound. Wait until you receive your official registration documents before operating the vehicle on public roads.