What DMV Form 262 Is and When You Need It

DMV Form 262 is a vehicle registration transfer document

Form 262 is the official document you use to transfer vehicle registration from one owner to another in California. It is not a title document — it does not prove ownership. Instead, it tells the Department of Motor Vehicles that the person currently listed as the registered owner wants to move that registration to a new owner's name.

You file Form 262 when you sell a vehicle, give a vehicle to someone else, or trade it in. The form notifies the DMV of the change so the new owner can register the vehicle in their name and the old owner stops receiving registration renewal notices and liability notices.

Form 262 is also called the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. It serves two purposes at once: it transfers the registration record and it releases the previous owner from liability for anything that happens to the vehicle after the transfer date.

Key Takeaways

Form 262 transfers the registration record to a new owner and releases the previous owner from liability for the vehicle after the transfer date.
You must file Form 262 within 5 days of selling or transferring a vehicle, or you may remain liable for traffic violations and accidents involving that vehicle.
Both the seller and the buyer should keep a copy of the completed form for their records.
You can file Form 262 online through the California DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

Who files Form 262 and when

The seller or previous owner files Form 262. If you are selling a car, trading it in, or giving it to someone else, you are responsible for submitting this form to the DMV within 5 days of the transfer.

The important date matters. If you do not file within 5 days, you remain the registered owner on the DMV's records. This means you will receive renewal notices, and more importantly, you can be held liable for traffic violations, parking tickets, and accidents involving the vehicle after you no longer own it. Filing on time protects you.

The new owner does not file Form 262. Instead, the new owner applies for a new registration in their name using Form REG 343 (process for Title or Registration). But the new owner cannot complete their registration until the DMV receives Form 262 from the seller.

What information you need to complete Form 262

Before you fill out Form 262, gather the following information about the vehicle and the transaction:

The vehicle's license plate number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
The current registration number
The odometer reading on the date of transfer
The date of transfer (the date you handed over the keys or completed the sale)
The new owner's name and address
Whether money changed hands and the sale price (if applicable)
Your signature as the current registered owner

If the vehicle has a lien (a loan against it), you will also need the lienholder's name and address. The lienholder is usually a bank or credit union that financed the purchase.

How to file Form 262

California offers three ways to submit Form 262 to the DMV.

Online filing is the fastest option. Go to the California DMV website, select "Register a Vehicle," and follow the prompts to file Form 262 electronically. You will need the vehicle's VIN and current registration number. Online filing is processed within a few business days.

Mail filing takes longer. Print Form 262, complete it by hand or type, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Include a copy for your records. Mail processing typically takes two to three weeks. Send it certified mail if you want proof of delivery.

In-person filing at a DMV office is when ready. Bring the completed form, your ID, and the vehicle's registration card. A DMV clerk will process it on the spot and give you a receipt. Wait times at DMV offices vary by location and time of day.

What happens after you file Form 262

Once the DMV receives and processes Form 262, the registration record transfers to the new owner's name. The new owner then has 10 days to explore for their own registration using Form REG 343. If the new owner does not register the vehicle within 10 days, the registration will expire and they cannot legally drive it.

You will stop receiving renewal notices and registration-related mail once the transfer is complete. The DMV will send a confirmation notice to the address you listed on Form 262. Keep this confirmation as proof that you filed on time and released liability.

If you are selling the vehicle to a dealer or trading it in, the dealer handles the filing. Ask the dealer for a copy of the completed Form 262 for your records. Do not leave the lot without it.

Common mistakes to avoid when filing Form 262

The most common mistake is waiting too long to file. If you file after 5 days, you are still liable for anything that happens to the vehicle. File when ready after the transfer, even if the new owner has not yet registered it.

Another mistake is leaving the form unsigned. Form 262 must be signed by the registered owner — a printed name is not enough. If you are selling a vehicle registered to two people, both owners must sign.

Do not assume the new owner will file their registration on time. You have no control over that, but you do have control over filing Form 262. Your job is to notify the DMV of the transfer. The new owner's job is to register the vehicle. Do both on time.

If the vehicle has a lien, make sure you list the lienholder's information correctly. If you do not, the lien may not transfer properly and the new owner could face problems registering the vehicle.

What to do if you lost the registration card or cannot locate the VIN

If you have lost the vehicle's registration card, you can still file Form 262. The DMV can look up the vehicle using the license plate number. When you file online or in person, provide the plate number instead of the registration number.

If you cannot find the VIN, look for it on the driver's side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the driver's side door jamb, or on the vehicle's title document. If you still cannot locate it, the DMV can help you identify it in person at an office.

Do not delay filing because you are missing one piece of information. Go to the DMV with what you have, and staff can help you complete the form correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Form 262 and the vehicle title?

Form 262 transfers the registration record only. The title is a separate document that proves ownership and must be signed over to the new owner. You sign the title on the back and give it to the buyer. You file Form 262 with the DMV to update their records.

Do I need to file Form 262 if I am trading in my vehicle at a dealership?

No. The dealership files Form 262 on your behalf as part of the trade-in process. Ask the dealer for a copy of the filed form for your records to confirm they submitted it within the 5-day window.

What happens if the new owner never registers the vehicle?

That is the new owner's problem, not yours — but only if you filed Form 262 on time. Once the DMV processes your form, you are released from liability. If the new owner does not register it and gets pulled over, the ticket goes to them, not you.

Can I file Form 262 if I still owe money on the vehicle?

Yes. List the lienholder's information on the form. The lien transfers to the new owner, and they become responsible for paying off the loan. The lienholder must approve the transfer, which usually happens automatically when the new owner applies for registration.

How long does it take the DMV to process Form 262?

Online filing is processed within a few business days. Mail filing takes two to three weeks. In-person filing is when ready. The new owner can begin registering the vehicle as soon as the DMV processes your form, so filing quickly helps them complete their registration faster.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.