Registration for a Vehicle Purchased from a Private Party

If you purchase a vehicle from another person instead of a dealer, it is known as a private party purchase. Buyers have 10 days after purchasing the vehicle to transfer ownership from the seller to themselves, and sellers have 5 days after the sale to report the transfer of ownership to DMV.

To take over ownership of a vehicle, you will need:

• The vehicle’s title (sometimes referred to as a pink slip), signed by the person selling the car. (Their signature is required on Line 1 of the title.)
  • If the vehicle’s title has been lost, stolen, or damaged, complete an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
  • If the title does not have a line where you can write the mileage information, complete a Vehicle/ Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (REG 262) form. Make sure both the buyer and seller sign the form. The REG 262 form is not available online because it is printed on security paper, which makes it compliant with federal odometer disclosure regulations.

  You can transfer ownership of the vehicle by mailing your completed form to DMV or visiting a DMV field office in person.

  Need something else?

  Title Transfers

  Find out what you need to know about transferring a title into or out of your ownership.

  Smog Certification

  Need to get a smog check to finish registering a vehicle?
  

  Fee Calculator

  Use one of our handy Fee Calculators to plan for registration and title transfer fee estimates.

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