
Odometer disclosureon the back of the car title.If you're transferring ownership of the vehicle:.
A weight certificateif you're titling a truck or pick-up.
The smog inspection certificate, proving your vehicle meets California's emissions requirements. License plates UNLESS your plates are expired, already surrendered to your previous state of residence, or assigned to an interstate-registered vehicle. Application for Title or Registration(Form REG 343). To do so, provide the following items at your local DMV office (consider scheduling an appointment ahead of time): Typically, you'll apply for your CA registration at the same time. Once your vehicle verification and smog inspection are complete, it's time to convert your out-of-state title to a California title. The person performing the vehicle verification will complete a Verification of Vehicle(Form REG 31) for you- do not lose this form! You'll need it to convert your out-of-state title, which we'll get to next. California law enforcement/peace officer. We recommend scheduling an appointment ahead of time. Smog inspection-jump over to our page on CA emissions inspections for details.Ī vehicle verification, is an examination of your car's vehicle identification number to ensure its legality. Pre-Transfer RequirementsīEFORE you apply for a CA title, your car will need to pass a: You must do so within 20 days of driving your car as a new California resident. We'll go over this multi-step process, overseen by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in this section. If you recently moved to the Golden State, you'll need to transfer your out-of-state vehicle title and registration to CA credentials. Buyer pays the $15 vehicle title transfer fee and taxes within 30 days.įor more details, continue reading! New California Residents. Buyer must provide the ownership documents to the CA DMV. Vehicle must pass a smog check, unless exempt. Seller must complete the appropriate sections on the title. How to Transfer a Car Title in CaliforniaĬhanging ownership of any vehicle requires a transfer of title in California.