What You Need to Do to Transfer a Title in California

In California, you transfer a car title by submitting form REG 135 (process for Title or Registration) to the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with the signed title from the seller, proof of purchase, and your ID. The DMV processes most transfers within 10 to 15 business days if you submit everything correctly. You can do this in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through an authorized third party like a car dealership or title service.

The signed title is the most critical document — without the seller's signature in the correct box on the back, the DMV will reject your process and return it. California titles have specific signature lines for the seller and any lienholder (a bank or finance company that holds a loan on the car). If the title is lost, the seller must request a duplicate from the DMV before you can transfer it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit form REG 135 with a signed title, proof of purchase, and your ID to the California DMV to transfer ownership.
  • The seller's signature must appear in the correct box on the back of the title, or the DMV will reject your process.
  • If there is a loan on the car, the lienholder must sign the title or provide a lien release document before you can complete the transfer.
  • Processing takes 10 to 15 business days by mail or in person, though some DMV offices offer same-day service for certain transactions.
  • You can transfer a title yourself, use a dealership, or hire a title service — each route has different costs and timelines.

Documents the California DMV Requires

Start with the signed title. This is the document the seller received when they bought the car — it shows their name as the owner and has signature lines on the back. The seller must sign in the "Seller or Transferor" box. If there are two owners listed on the title, both must sign unless the title says "or" between their names (in which case only one needs to sign). If it says "and," both are required.

Next, you need proof of purchase. This is usually the bill of sale, a receipt from a dealership, or a purchase agreement. California does not require a specific form for the bill of sale — any written record showing the sale price, the date, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and signatures from both buyer and seller will work. If you are buying from a private seller, you can write this yourself or use the DMV's optional form REG 135 (which serves as both process and bill of sale).

You also need your California ID or driver's license, and the vehicle's odometer reading at the time of transfer. If the car is less than 10 years old, you must provide the exact mileage. For cars 10 years or older, you can write "Exempt" on the odometer line.

If the car has a loan against it, the lienholder (usually a bank) must sign the title in the "Lienholder" box, or they must provide a separate lien release document. Without this, the DMV cannot issue a title in your name alone.

Where to Submit Your Transfer process

You have three main routes: submit in person at a California DMV office, mail your documents to the DMV, or use a third party to handle it for you.

In-person transfer: Walk into any DMV office with your completed form REG 135, the signed title, proof of purchase, your ID, and the odometer reading. Bring the original title and proof of purchase — the DMV will not accept photocopies of the title. Some offices offer same-day service if you arrive early, though wait times vary widely by location. You will pay the transfer fee at the counter (currently $15 for most transfers, though this can change). Check the DMV website for your local office's hours and whether it requires an appointment.

Mail transfer: Send your completed form REG 135, the original signed title, proof of purchase, your ID (a photocopy is acceptable), and a check or money order for the transfer fee to the DMV address listed on the form. Include a cover letter with your phone number and current address so the DMV can contact you if there are questions. Mail typically takes 10 to 15 business days, plus postal time. Use certified mail if you want proof of delivery.

Third-party transfer: A car dealership, title company, or DMV-authorized service can submit your transfer for you. They charge a fee (usually $50 to $150 on top of the DMV fee) but handle all the paperwork and often complete the transfer faster. This is common when you buy from a dealership — they typically handle the transfer as part of the sale.

What Happens If the Title Has a Lien

A lien means someone else (usually a bank or credit union) has a legal claim to the car because they financed the purchase. The lienholder's name appears on the title, and they must release that lien before you own the car free and clear.

If the seller is paying off the loan as part of the sale, the lienholder will provide a lien release document — a form stating that the loan is paid and the lien is removed. The seller should get this at closing or from the lender directly. You submit this release document along with your transfer process.

If the seller has not paid off the loan yet, the lienholder must sign the title in the "Lienholder" box to authorize the transfer. The DMV will then issue a title in your name, but the lienholder's name will remain on it until the seller pays off the loan. Once the loan is paid, the lienholder sends a release to the DMV, and you can request a new title without the lien.

Do not accept a car with an active lien unless you are prepared to pay off the loan yourself or wait for the seller to pay it. A lien means the lender can repossess the car if the seller defaults, even after you own it.

Fees and Processing Time

The California DMV charges a transfer fee of $15 for most private sales. If you are transferring a commercial vehicle or a vehicle with a salvage or rebuilt title, the fee may be different — check the DMV website for your specific vehicle type.

If you use a third-party service like a dealership or title company, you will pay their service fee on top of the DMV fee. Dealerships typically include this in the purchase price or add it to your final bill. Independent title services charge $50 to $150 depending on how much work they do.

Processing time depends on your method. In-person submissions at a DMV office are usually processed the same day or within a few days. Mail submissions take 10 to 15 business days from the date the DMV receives them, plus postal time. Third-party services vary — dealerships often process transfers within a week, while independent services may take longer depending on their workload.

You will receive your new title in the mail at the address you provide on the process. Keep this document in a safe place — you will need it if you sell the car later or if you need to register it in another state.

Common Reasons the DMV Rejects Title Transfers

The most common rejection is a missing or incorrect seller signature. The signature must be in the "Seller or Transferor" box on the back of the title, not anywhere else. If the seller signed in the wrong place or did not sign at all, the DMV will return the process.

A second common issue is a missing lienholder signature or release. If the title shows a lienholder and that lienholder has not signed or provided a release, the DMV cannot process the transfer. You must go back to the seller and get the lien release before resubmitting.

Mismatched information also causes rejections. The VIN on the title must match the VIN on the bill of sale and on the vehicle itself. The seller's name on the title must match their ID. If there are discrepancies, the DMV will ask for clarification or a corrected document.

Photocopies of the title are not accepted — you must submit the original. If the title is damaged, faded, or illegible, the DMV may reject it and ask the seller to request a duplicate from their previous DMV office.

Transferring a Title Without the Seller Present

You do not need the seller to be physically present when you submit the transfer process. The seller's signature on the title is what matters. If you are buying from someone out of state or cannot meet in person, you can have the seller sign the title and mail it to you, then submit it to the DMV yourself.

Make sure the seller signs the title in front of a notary public if you are concerned about authenticity. California does not require a notarized signature on a title for a private sale, but having it notarized adds a layer of protection and can help if there are questions later.

If the seller refuses to sign the title or has disappeared, you cannot transfer the title legally. In rare cases, you may be able to file a court petition to force a title transfer, but this is expensive and time-consuming. Always get the signed title before you hand over money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my new title after I submit the transfer?

If you submit in person at a DMV office, you may receive a temporary registration document the same day, and your permanent title arrives by mail within a few days. If you mail your process, expect 10 to 15 business days from the date the DMV receives it, plus postal delivery time. Third-party services vary but often complete transfers within a week.

What if the seller lost the title?

The seller must request a duplicate title from the California DMV using form REG 227 before you can transfer ownership. This takes about 10 business days. Once the seller receives the duplicate, they sign it and send it to you, and you submit it with your transfer process. You cannot transfer a car without an original or duplicate title.

Do I need to register the car before or after I transfer the title?

You transfer the title first, then register the car. Once the DMV issues your new title, you use it to register the vehicle in your name. You can do both at the same DMV office in one visit if you submit all required documents together.

Can I transfer a title if the car has a salvage or rebuilt status?

Yes, but the process is the same — you submit form REG 135 with the signed salvage or rebuilt title. The new title you receive will also show the salvage or rebuilt status. You will need to pass a vehicle inspection before you can register a rebuilt vehicle on California roads.

What if there are two sellers and they are not married?

If the title lists two owners and says "or" between their names, only one needs to sign. If it says "and," both must sign. If one owner refuses to sign or cannot be located, you cannot transfer the title. The owners must resolve this between themselves — you cannot force a signature.