How to Transfer the Sale of a Car in California
Transferring a vehicle properly is an important part of selling your car. It's not as easy as swapping keys for a wad of cash. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has useful information and specific guidelines to make a vehicle transfer safe, simple and legal. A transfer is "a change in the registered or legal ownership of a California registered vehicle." A car that you are giving away or transferring to a family also must also be documented in the DMV records, though a little differently.
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Things You'll Need
- California Certificate of Title
- Notice of Release and Transfer of Liability form
- Bill of Sale Form
- Signature(s) of seller(s) and lien holder, if any
- Signature(s) of buyer(s)
- Smog certification (if necessary)
Instructions
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1
Sign your California certificate of title. If you co-own the vehicle or are still making payments on the vehicle, the other owner or lien holder also must sign the certificate. If the car was made after 1988, the title will be a 7 by 8 inch blue certificate. If the vehicle is from before 1988, the title will be a 4 by 5 inch ownership certificate, commonly known as a "pink slip."
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Have the buyer sign your certificate of title or pink slip. There are transfer fees, but are the buyer's responsibility. Write the odometer reading at the time of sale on the certificate of title.
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3
Fill out and sign a "Bill of Sale" form. The California DMV has a form online which you can fill out and print. You also can acquire a blank Bill of Sale template online. A Bill of Sale includes your personal information, the buyer's information, sale price and the year and car make and model (see Resource 4).
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4
Complete and sign a "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability" form. There is a tool on the California DMV website which guides you on filling this form. If you do not submit this form, any traffic or parking violation which may occur while the new buyer is in the car's possession is still your liability.
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Acquire the buyer's signature on the "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability" form and on the "Bill of Sale" form. Make copies of these forms for the buyer and keep one copy for your records.
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Check your car for smog if it is more than four years old. You are required as the seller to show the buyer a valid smog inspection certification. According to the California DMV, "smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is Hybrid, a gasoline powered 1975 year model or older, a diesel powered vehicle manufactured prior to 1998 or with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs, electric, natural gas powered with a GVWR rating of more than 14,000 lbs, a motorcycle or a trailer."
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Send in your documents or bring them a local California DMV. Make an appointment for faster service and to avoid long lines. You can make an appointment online or by calling 1- 800-777-0133.
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Tips & Warnings
Make copies of everything.
A smog inspection certificate is not required if a smog check was submitted to the DMV within the last 90 days or if the car is transferred to a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.
The DMV must receive the "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability" form within five days of selling your car. Not only is this for your protection, but it is also required by law.
If you have a lien holder, their release form must be notarized and included with your documents.
Your lien holder, if you have one, also have their own additional requirements or paperwork for the transfer your car, so contact them and ask for this information.
References
Resources
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