When buying or selling a car, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires filling out a Transfer title to change ownership of a vehicle. The designated owner and recipient must both complete a vehicle title transfer with the DMV. Here you will find a few general instructions for filling out a title transfer in California.

Title Transfer When Selling a Vehicle

The state of California requires sellers to notify the DMV and officially relinquish ownership of their sold vehicle within 5 days. Once you complete and submit the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. The process can also be completed. It will require the vehicle’s license plate number, the last five digits of the vehicle identification number, and the new owner’s name and address. The ownership transfer will not be official until the new owner completes the title transfer. In order for the transfer to be completed, you must supply the new owner with:

• The Vehicle Title (signed by you).
• Smog Certification, if applicable (see below).
• A completed Odometer Reading if the vehicle is less than 10 years oldVehicle
• Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form REG 262

Buying a Vehicle

If you bought your vehicle from a dealership, you won’t have to worry about the title transfer. The dealership will take care of all of the necessary paperwork. If you bought your vehicle from a private seller, the process is not so straightforward. In order to complete the transfer process in person, come in at Express Auto Registration (DMV San Diego) or set an appointment at your convenient time and submit:

• The Vehicle Title (signed by seller).
• Smog Certification, if applicable (see below).
• A completed Odometer Reading if the vehicle is less than 10 years oldVehicle
• Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form REG 262
• Payment for fees (see below).
Once the process is complete, you will receive your new registration and plates on the spot. Your official title will be mailed and should arrive within a few weeks.

Transferring a Vehicle Between Family Members

The DMV considers a family transfer as an ownership transfer between two of the following: a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or domestic partner. A family transfer is exempt from a smog certification and uses tax rates based on the purchase price of the vehicle and a reclassification of the vehicle’s value.Even though it’s a family transfer, the “seller” must still submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability to the DMV within 5 days of transferring ownership.To complete your family transfer, make sure you submit:

• The Vehicle Title (signed by seller).
• A Statement of Facts for smog certification and use tax exemptions.
• Odometer Reading if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
• Payment for all fees.
• Smog Inspection
• Once the process is complete, you will receive your new registration and plates on the spot. Your official title will be mailed and should arrive within a few weeks.

Fees

Fees that must be paid during your title transfer can include:

• Registration Fee: $46
• California Highway Patrol Fee: $23
• Transfer: $19
• Duplicate Title: $18 (if original vehicle title is missing or damaged).

Smog Check

Your renewal notice will inform you if your car needs to complete a smog check before registration renewal can be completed. Some vehicles will be required to undergo a smog inspection at a STAR station (your renewal notice will specify).