California Vehicle Title Transfer Checklist
California title transfers split responsibility between the seller and buyer. The seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138, also called NRL) with the DMV within 5 calendar days of the sale to remove their liability for the vehicle. The buyer must then submit the signed title and the rest of the transfer paperwork to a DMV office within 10 days. A current smog certificate is required for most gasoline-powered vehicles 1976 and newer that are over 4 years old; the seller is responsible for providing it. California also requires the buyer to pay use tax (state sales tax rate plus local district tax) at the DMV during registration — the DMV calculates this based on the declared purchase price.
Quick answer
California title transfers must be submitted to a CA DMV office within 10 days of the sale date. Notarization is generally not required for standard private-party transfers. Use the CA DMV online fee calculator for an accurate estimate of the title transfer and registration fees due.
Key facts
- State
- California
- Agency
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- Process
- Title Transfer
- Notary required
- No
- Bill of sale
- Conditional
- Odometer disclosure
- Yes
- Filing deadline
- 5 days
- Last verified
- 2026-05-21
- Official source
- California Department of Motor Vehicles ↗
Key facts from official sources
Title transfer fee — consult the official DMV fee schedule; use the DMV fee calculator.
California DMV — Registration Fees ↗California does not require notarization for standard title transfers.
California DMV — Transfer of Title ↗Title must be transferred within 10 days of the sale date.
California DMV — Transfer of Title ↗Quick reference
Notary required?
✗NoBill of sale?
◆ConditionalOdometer disclosure?
✓YesInspection required?
◆Conditional⏱ Important Deadlines
- 5-day deadline: Seller files Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) within 5 calendar days of the saleWithout the NRL, the seller can remain liable for parking tickets, tolls, and the vehicle's actions until the buyer registers.Official source ↗
- 10-day deadline: Buyer transfers the title and registers the vehicle within 10 days of the saleOfficial source ↗
- Late transfer penalty applies after 10 daysPenalty amount increases with the length of delay (sourceNeeded — verify current schedule).Official source ↗
Seller Checklist
Items the seller typically needs to prepare or provide.
Buyer Checklist
Items the buyer typically needs to prepare or provide.
Required Forms
Fees
Title transfer fee
California's DMV fee calculator returns the exact title fee for your vehicle based on type, value, and county. Confirm before paying.
Vehicle Use Tax (state + local)
Collected by the DMV at registration. Family gift transfers to qualifying relatives may be exempt — declare on Form REG 256.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee
Part of the annual registration renewal charged at the same DMV visit.
Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
VLF is California's annual in-lieu-of-property-tax fee, based on the depreciated value of the vehicle. It is recalculated each year.
Transfer penalty (late filing)
California assesses transfer penalties that escalate after 30, 31–75, and 76+ days late. Check the DMV penalty schedule for current amounts.
Special requirements
California does not require notarization for standard private-party title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient.
California does not require a bill of sale for a standard private-party transfer — the signed title and Statement of Facts (REG 256, if needed) are the primary documents. A bill of sale (REG 135) is strongly recommended to document price, date, and the buyer/seller's information.
Required for vehicles less than 10 years old. The seller completes the odometer disclosure section on the back of the California title.
A current biennial smog certificate is required for most gasoline-powered vehicles model year 1976 or newer that are more than 4 years old. Exemptions: vehicles 4 model-years old or newer, diesel vehicles 1997 and older with GVWR 14,000 lbs and under, fully electric, hybrid, and motorcycles. The seller provides the smog certificate at no cost to the buyer.
Step-by-step process
- 1Confirm the seller is the titled owner of record on the front of the California title.
- 2Check that the seller has a current, valid smog certificate (if required for the vehicle).
- 3Seller signs line 1 on the back of the title in the seller's signature section and completes the odometer disclosure.
- 4Seller provides the buyer with the signed title, smog certificate, and bill of sale (REG 135 recommended).
- 5Seller files Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) online at dmv.ca.gov within 5 days of the sale.
- 6Buyer obtains California liability insurance in the buyer's name before going to the DMV.
- 7Buyer makes a DMV appointment (walk-ins are accepted but appointments are faster).
- 8Buyer brings the signed title, smog certificate, photo ID, proof of insurance, and any required forms (REG 343 or REG 256) to the DMV.
- 9Buyer pays the title fee, use tax (state + local), vehicle license fee, and registration fees at the DMV.
- 10Buyer receives temporary registration; the new title arrives by mail in approximately 60 days.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Seller skipping the REG 138 NRL filing within 5 days — leaves seller liable for parking tickets, tolls, and incidents the buyer causes before registering.
- ✗Buyer missing the 10-day title transfer deadline — penalty fees apply and escalate with the length of delay.
- ✗Selling without a current smog certificate when required — the buyer cannot register the vehicle until the smog test is done, which can stall the sale.
- ✗Using whiteout, scratch-outs, or corrections on the title — California voids any altered title and requires a duplicate via REG 227.
- ✗Listing a below-market price on the title to reduce use tax — the DMV may reassess based on Kelley Blue Book or similar value.
- ✗Forgetting REG 256 Statement of Facts for family or gift transfers — without it, the transaction is taxed instead of using the exemption.
- ✗Buyer arriving at the DMV without California insurance in their name — DMV cannot complete registration without it.
- ✗Out-of-state vehicle transfers attempted without a California smog certificate — most non-exempt out-of-state vehicles must pass California smog before first registration here.
Official links
Source verification
This page covers 3 researched claims about California title transfer:
Directly cited from official sources
Inferred — confirm with agency before acting
Researched from California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Requirements can change — always verify with the official agency before submitting documents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a California title transfer cost?
California's DMV charges a base title fee plus vehicle use tax (state 7.25% + local district tax, which varies by county and city), an annual vehicle license fee (~0.65% of value), an annual registration fee, and the CHP fee. The exact dollar total depends on vehicle type, value, and county — use the DMV fee calculator at dmv.ca.gov for an accurate estimate before going in.
Do I need a smog check to transfer a title in California?
Usually yes. A current biennial smog certificate is required for most gasoline-powered vehicles model year 1976 and newer that are more than 4 model-years old. The seller is responsible for providing it at no cost to the buyer. Exemptions: vehicles 4 years or newer, fully electric, diesel 1997 and older (under 14,000 lbs GVWR), hybrids, and motorcycles. Check the DMV smog inspections page if you are unsure.
What happens if I miss the 10-day buyer deadline?
California assesses a transfer penalty fee that escalates with delay (a smaller penalty in the first 30 days late, larger after 31 days, and significant after 76 days). The penalty is added to the regular title and registration fees at the DMV. The vehicle also cannot legally be driven on public roads with expired or unregistered status.
I am gifting a vehicle to a family member — what do we do?
Use Statement of Facts (REG 256) to declare the transfer as a family gift between qualifying relatives (parents, spouses, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, children, or domestic partners). This exempts the buyer from vehicle use tax. The standard title fee still applies, and the seller still files the REG 138 NRL.
I inherited a car in California — how do I transfer the title?
If the estate is going through probate, the executor signs the title over via a court order. For estates not going through probate, the surviving spouse or heir may use an Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate (REG 5) if the total estate value qualifies. Bring the death certificate, the original title, REG 5, REG 256, and your photo ID to the DMV.
I moved to California with a car from another state — what do I do?
New California residents have 20 days to register the vehicle and pay any use tax owed. Bring the out-of-state title, smog certificate (California smog, not the prior state's), proof of California insurance, photo ID, and the completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343). Vehicles less than 12 months old at the time of importation may be subject to use tax based on price.
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Last reviewed: 2026-05-21 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice