Transfer a California Vehicle Title Without a DMV Visit
+ DMV fees at cost, itemized before you pay
What you need to send
The same checklist our staff works from, taken from the DMV requirements for this transaction. Clear phone photos are enough; originals are needed only where noted.
- Signed California title (front released + back completed)Seller signs to release; buyer completes the new-owner section. Odometer must be filled in for vehicles less than 20 model years old (2010 and newer).
- Bill of sale / purchase priceThe sale price (or gift value) — used to calculate use tax.
- Smog certificateRequired unless exempt. Gas vehicles 4 model years old or newer are exempt; family transfers (spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling) are exempt; also exempt if a biennial smog was submitted within the last 90 days.
- REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer & Reassignment)A secure DMV form. Needed when the odometer isn’t on the title, for a multiple transfer, or when correcting an odometer error. Must be an original (no photocopies).
- REG 256 (Statement of Facts)For a gift or family transfer (use-tax exemption) or a smog exemption.
- REG 227 (Application for Duplicate Title) + current registration cardOnly if the original title is lost — use this instead of the signed title.
- REG 101 (Statement of Error or Erasure)Only if there is an error or correction on the title, or to record extra owners in a multiple transfer.
Who this is for
- Buyers in a private-party sale who need the car registered in their name
- Sellers who want the release of liability filed correctly so tickets stop coming to them
- Family transfers and gifts (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling) that qualify for smog and use-tax exemptions
- Transfers with a snag: missing title, lien never released, odometer error, seller unavailable
Key facts
How it works
No line, no appointment, no second trip because one form was wrong.
- 1Today
Upload photos of the signed title (front and back), the bill of sale or price, and your ID.
- 2Within 1 business day
We check the signatures, odometer, smog status and lien situation, and invoice the transfer fee + use tax + our fee.
- 3After payment
We file the transfer. If a REG 262 or REG 227 original is needed we tell you exactly where to sign and how to get it to us.
- 41-3 business days
New registration card and sticker arrive by tracked mail; the new title follows from the DMV.
How your documents get back to you
Common questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, ask us.
How do I transfer a car title in California?
The seller signs the front of the title on line 1 to release ownership, the buyer completes the new-owner section on the back, the odometer is recorded, and the transfer plus use tax is filed with the DMV within 10 days. We do the filing part for you from photos.
What happens if I transfer the title late?
The DMV adds transfer penalties and, past certain points, penalties on the use tax. The amounts grow with time, so filing sooner is always cheaper. We show the exact penalty on your invoice.
Do I pay sales tax when I buy a used car from a private seller?
California collects use tax on private-party purchases when the transfer is filed, based on the purchase price at your local rate. It is part of the total we quote before you pay.
The seller did not sign the title. Can you still transfer it?
Not without the seller’s signature or a valid substitute (a REG 262 reassignment or a power of attorney). Send us what you have and we will tell you the shortest path.
Is a smog check required for a title transfer?
Usually the seller must provide one, unless the vehicle is a gas vehicle 4 model years old or newer, the transfer is between qualifying family members, or a biennial smog was filed within the last 90 days.
Can you transfer a title with a lien on it?
The lienholder must release it on the title (front, line 2) or with a REG 166 lien satisfied form. If the lender is long gone, we walk you through getting the release.
What if the title is lost?
A duplicate title application (REG 227) can be filed together with the transfer when the registered owner signs it. Photocopies are not accepted; we prepare the original for signature.
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