Title Transfers - California DMV (2024)

When you buya vehicle, you need to transfer the vehicle’s title to establish yourself as the new legal owner.

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Any change of the current registered owner or lienholder (legal owner) of a vehicle or vessel/boat requires transferring the title to the new owner. Transfer of ownership between the seller and the buyer must be started with DMV within 10 days of the sale of the vehicle or boat. You will need:

• The California Certificate of Title.
• Signature(s) of the seller(s), buyer(s), and lienholder (if applicable).
• Transferfees. All transfer fees are the responsibility of the buyer.

Once you start the online Title Transfer process, a DMV Virtual Assistant will let you know if you also need:

• Smog certification
• Use tax and/or various other fees.
• Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227)form.
• A Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (REG 262) form.
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.
• A Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) form.
• Other less commonly used forms.

The example below indicates where to complete the current California Certificate of Title.

FRONT OF TITLE: Current registered owner or legal owner (Lienholder) signs and dates here to release ownership. If you are changing legal ownership by removing or deleting a Lienholder, the current registered owner(s) doesnotsign line 1A/1B and doesnotcomplete lines 3A-13.

BACK OF TITLE: New lienholder’s name (such as a bank or other financial institution), if any, is printed here.

HTVR 32 (REV. 6/2022)

A vehicle or vessel may be owned by two or more co-owners. Co-owner names may be joined by “and”, “and/or”, or “or”. Certificates issued for applicationsnotindicating “and” or “or” between the names will show “and” as represented by a slash (/) between the names.

All ownersmustendorse the title or registration application to register the vehicle or boat, but the requirements for releasing ownership vary.

The signature of onlyoneowner is required to transfer ownership when the co-owner names are joined by “and/or” or “or”.

The signatures ofallowners are required to transfer ownership when the co-owner names are joined by “and”. Ownership passes to the surviving co-owner upon the death of a co-owner or, with the surviving co-owner’s release, to a new owner. A deceased co-owner’s interest may only be released by one of the following:

• Heir of the deceased with anAffidavit for Transfer Without Probate California Titled Vehicle or Vessels Only (REG 5)form.
• Administrator with Letters of Administration.
• Executor with Letters Testamentary.

Submit the following to DMV:

• A California Certificate of Title or, if lost, anApplicationforReplacementorTransfer ofTitle(REG227)form, signed for the decedent and countersigned by the heir. Example: John Jones by Mary S. Jones, sole heir, successor, administrator, executor, conservator, guardian, or trustee.
• Document authorizing transfer of the decedent’s vehicle/vessel:
  • Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate California Titled Vehicle or Vessels Only (REG 5)form completed by the heir. A power of attorney (POA) cannot be used to sign a REG 5.
  • Court order, Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, Letters of Administration with Will Annexed, or Letters of Special Administration.
• A REG 256 with the applicable sections completed.
• An odometer disclosure statement for vehicles less than 10 years old completed on the California Certificate of Title or Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262) (not available online).
• Fees for transfer of ownership and, if due, registration renewal and use tax.

Transfer Without Probate

In certain situations, the decedent’s heir may transfer title of a vehicle/vessel without going through probate. Requirements are:

• A REG 5 completed by one of the following:
  • Person(s) who succeeded to the property of the decedent.
  • Conservator or guardian of the property of the person(s) who succeeded to the property of the decedent.
  • Beneficiary under the decedent’s last will and testament.
  • Trustee(s), under a trust agreement by the deceased, in which the primary beneficiaries are the next of kin.
• The value of the decedent’s property in California does not exceed $150,000.
  Doesnotinclude vehicles, vessels, commercial coaches, or manufactured, mobile, or floating homes. To calculate the property value, seeCalifornia Probate Code§13050.
• The vehicle/vessel is titled in California.Vehicles/vessels titled in another statemustbe transferred in that state (requirements may differ from California).
• 40 days have lapsed since the registered or legal owner’s date of death.
• An original or certified copy of each owner’s death certificate and, if owned jointly by two or more decedent’s, a REG 5 for the most recent decedent
• If owned jointly by two or more persons and one is deceased, a REG 5cannotbe used to circumvent the surviving owner’s interest. However, the surviving owner (if an heir) may complete a REG 5 to release the decedent’s interest. The title must be signed twice, once by the surviving owner and once on behalf of the decedent.

Trust Transfers

Establishment of a trust commits the property or assets of an individual(s) to a trustee for use or safekeeping.

• A releasing signature for a trustcannotbe made by power of attorney, unless the power of attorney document is restricted to a specific transaction.
• If more than one trustee is shown without “or,” or a slash (/) between the names,eachtrustee must sign the title.
• If the trustee signing is not shown on the title, a REG 256 (Section G) is required attesting to his/her appointment as successor trustee by the trustor or retiring trustee.
• If a trustee releases interest of a vehicle/vessel not registered to a trust, ownership is determined by the decedent’s will as contained in the trust document. The trust document and REG 262 copies may be required.
• If no trustee name is shown on the title, a REG 256 (Section G) is required attesting to his/her appointment as trustee or successor trustee by the trustor.

Transfer With Court Documents

The Certificate of Title must be signed for the decedent and countersigned by the executor or administrator.