When Do I Need a Duplicate Title?
A duplicate California Certificate of Title must be obtained when the original is lost, stolen, mutilated, illegible, or not received. An Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title (REG 227) form must be completed by the legal or registered owner (if no legal owner is on DMV records) and submitted with the duplicate title fee.
If a duplicate title was issued in the past 90 days a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form completed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is required.
Ensure you have completed an Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
Gather the following information / documents in order to use the DMV Virtual Field Office:
- Your driver license or identification (Dl/ID) card.
- The last 5 digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN) or hull identification number (HIN) for a vessel/boat.
- The vehicle’s license plate number.
