How to Transfer a Title
Anytime there’s a change to a vehicle or vessel’s registered owner or lienholder, that change needs to be updated in DMV’s records within 10 days and the California Certificate of Title needs to be transferred to the new owner.
A change in ownership is usually due to:
- Sale, gift, or donation
- Adding or deleting the name of an owner
- Inheritance
- Satisfaction of lien (full payment of car loan)
To transfer a title, you will always need:
- Either the California Certificate of Title or an Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (if the title is missing).
- The signature(s) of seller(s) and lienholder (if any).
- The signature(s) of buyer(s).
- A transfer fee.
Depending on the type of transfer (see below for additional types), you might need to complete and submit additional forms.
