Regulate Title Release For Free

If the buyer does not sign the title and mail or give it to DVS, then the seller's name stays on the title of the car. If the buyer doesn't transfer the title within 10 days, the car's registration is suspended. What should I do if I sold a car but didn't report the sale?

The legal owner/lienholder (LO) releasing signature on an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form, including when used to transfer an Electronic Lien and Titleholder (ELT), must be notarized.

Chapter 20: Replacements and Substitutes The legal owner/lienholder (LO) releasing signature on an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form, including when used to transfer an Electronic Lien and Titleholder (ELT), must be notarized.

After you sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle or vessel to another party, complete a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) to let DMV know that ownership of the vehicle/vessel has changed.

Complete the release of liability form as soon as possible after selling your car. If you wait too long, you might incur a fine. You could also be liable if the buyer is in an accident, gets a traffic violation or a parking ticket, or commits a crime with the vehicle.

The registered owner or the person in physical possession of a vehicle being sold/transferred must submit a completed REG 138 to DMV within five calendar days of the sale (transfer). This can be done using a printed REG 138 or online, using the Internet Notice of Release of Liability (IRL) on the DMV Internet website.

If you have the California Certificate of Title for the vehicle, the seller signs the title to release ownership of the vehicle. The buyer should then bring the signed title to a DMV office to apply for transfer of ownership.