The basic process for transferring a car title to a family member in California
To transfer a car title to a family member in California, you complete a form called the process for Title or Registration (REG 343), sign it in front of a notary, and submit it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with the current title and a check or money order for the transfer fee. The person receiving the car (the new owner) does not have to be present, but both the current owner and the new owner must sign the form. The DMV processes the transfer and mails the new title to the address you provide.
The process is the same whether you are transferring to a spouse, adult child, parent, or any other family member. California does not charge a sales tax on transfers between family members, which is one reason this route saves money compared to selling the car to someone outside the family.
Key Takeaways
- You need the current title, form REG 343 signed by both owner and recipient in front of a notary, and the transfer fee, which varies by vehicle value and county.
- California does not charge sales tax on family transfers, but you still pay the standard DMV transfer and registration fees.
- You can submit your documents by mail to your county DMV office or in person; online submission is not available for title transfers.
- The new owner's name appears on the title within two to three weeks if you submit by mail, or the same day if you submit in person.
- If the title is lost or the car has a lien, you will need additional documents before the DMV can process the transfer.
What documents you need to gather before you start
Start by locating the current title — the pink slip or official document showing ownership. If you cannot find it, you can request a duplicate from the DMV using form REG 227 before you begin the transfer process. You will also need the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which appears on the title and on the dashboard of the car.
Next, obtain form REG 343 from the California DMV website or by visiting a DMV office. This form asks for the current owner's name and address, the new owner's name and address, the vehicle information, and the reason for the transfer. You will mark "transfer to family member" as the reason.
If the car has a lien (meaning a bank or lender holds a security interest), you will need written permission from the lienholder before the DMV can transfer the title. Contact the lender and ask for a lien release letter or a statement that they consent to the transfer. Some lenders will not allow a transfer while the loan is active, so confirm this before you proceed.
How to get the form notarized and what it costs
Both the current owner and the new owner must sign form REG 343 in front of a notary public. The notary verifies your identity using a government-issued ID and witnesses your signature. You do not need to sign at the same time or in the same place — each person can visit a different notary, as long as both signatures are notarized.
Notary fees in California range from $5 to $15 per signature, depending on the notary. You can find notaries at banks (often free if you have an account), UPS stores, FedEx locations, and independent notary offices. Some notaries charge per document rather than per signature, so ask before you sit down.
After both signatures are notarized, gather the notarized form, the current title, and your payment. The transfer fee depends on the vehicle's value and your county. As of 2024, the fee ranges from about $15 to $70 for most vehicles. Check your county DMV website or call to confirm the exact amount for your vehicle.
Where to submit your documents and how long it takes
You can submit your documents by mail or in person at your county DMV office. To submit by mail, send the notarized form REG 343, the current title, and a check or money order (made out to "Department of Motor Vehicles") to the DMV office that serves your county. Include a cover letter with your phone number so the DMV can contact you if there are questions.
Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. The DMV will mail the new title to the address you listed on the form. If you submit in person, you can often receive confirmation the same day, though the official title will still be mailed to you.
If you need the transfer completed quickly, submitting in person is faster. Bring all original documents, your payment, and a valid ID. Arrive early, as DMV offices often have long wait times, especially at the beginning of the month.
What happens if the title is lost or damaged
If you cannot locate the current title, you can request a duplicate title from the DMV using form REG 227 before you transfer the car. The DMV will mail you a replacement title within two to three weeks. You can then use that replacement title to complete the transfer to your family member.
If the title is damaged but readable, you can still submit it with the transfer form. The DMV will issue a new title in the family member's name as part of the transfer process. If the title is so damaged that the vehicle information is illegible, request a duplicate first.
Tax and registration considerations after the transfer
California does not charge sales tax on transfers between family members, which is a significant savings compared to buying or selling a car on the open market. However, the new owner must still pay the standard DMV registration fee to keep the car legal to drive.
The registration fee is based on the vehicle's value and is due when the new title is issued. The DMV will calculate this fee and include it in the transfer cost. The new owner will receive registration renewal notices in the mail going forward.
If the car's registration has expired, the new owner should renew it when ready after receiving the new title. Driving an unregistered vehicle is illegal in California, even if the title transfer is in progress.
What to do if there is a lien on the car
If a bank or lender holds a lien on the car, the title will show the lienholder's name. You cannot transfer the title to a family member while the lien is active unless the lienholder consents in writing.
Contact the lender and explain that you want to transfer the car to a family member. Ask whether they will allow the transfer and what documentation they need. Some lenders will release the lien if the new owner agrees to take over the loan. Others will require the loan to be paid off before the title can be transferred.
If the lender agrees to the transfer, ask for a lien release letter or written consent. Submit this letter along with your other documents to the DMV. If the lender requires the loan to be paid off, you will need to pay the remaining balance before the DMV can process the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer the title if the car is still being financed?
Only if the lender consents in writing. Contact your lender first and ask whether they allow transfers to family members. Some lenders will release the lien if the new owner takes over the loan; others require the loan to be paid off. Get written permission before you submit anything to the DMV.
Do I need the new owner to sign the form in person, or can I sign for them?
The new owner must sign the form themselves in front of a notary. You cannot sign on their behalf. However, they do not need to be present when you submit the documents to the DMV — only the notarized signatures matter.
What if I lost the title and don't know where the car is registered?
Call the California DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and provide your vehicle's VIN. They can tell you which county office has your registration records and can issue a duplicate title. Once you have the duplicate, you can proceed with the transfer.
Will the new owner have to pay sales tax on the transferred car?
No. California does not charge sales tax on transfers between family members. The new owner pays only the standard DMV registration and transfer fees, which are much lower than sales tax would be.
How long does the new title take to arrive in the mail?
If you submit by mail, expect two to three weeks. If you submit in person at a DMV office, you will receive a receipt the same day, and the official title will be mailed within two to three weeks. The new owner can drive the car once they have the receipt, even before the title arrives.