You need a title transfer whenever vehicle ownership changes or the title needs to be updated. Common examples include buying or selling a vehicle, receiving a vehicle as a gift, inheriting a vehicle, adding or removing a name, transferring a vehicle between your personal name and business, or replacing a lost title during a transfer. The California DMV says ownership or lienholder changes must be reported to the DMV within 10 days, and EZPayDMV lists sold, gifted, inherited, business/personal transfers, and lost-title situations as common title-transfer needs

Yes. EZPayDMV can help process private-party vehicle purchases and transfer the vehicle into the buyer’s name. For a private-party purchase, you will usually need the signed title, buyer and seller information, a bill of sale when applicable, odometer information when required, smog certification when required, and payment for DMV fees, taxes, and service fees. California DMV says buyers have 10 days after purchase to transfer ownership, and sellers have 5 days after the sale to report the transfer.

Yes. EZPayDMV can help with gifted and inherited vehicle transfers. Gift and family transfers may require the title, a Statement of Facts, transfer fees, and any additional DMV forms based on the relationship and vehicle status. Inherited vehicle transfers may require additional documents, such as a death certificate, affidavit, or probate-related paperwork, depending on the situation. The California DMV lists family, estate, inheritance, gift, and deceased-owner transfers as title-transfer types.

Yes. EZPayDMV can help process a duplicate title transfer if the California title was lost, stolen, or damaged. In most cases, you will need to complete an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title, also known as REG 227, and verify your identity. If the vehicle has a lienholder or legal owner, additional signatures, releases, or notarization may be required.

The required documents depend on the vehicle and transfer type, but common items include the current title signed by the seller, a government-issued ID, a bill of sale for private-party purchases, smog certification if required, odometer reading if required, and any DMV forms needed for your situation. For some transfers, additional forms may be needed, such as REG 227 for a lost title, REG 256 Statement of Facts, REG 262 Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment, lien release forms, or VIN verification forms. EZPayDMV says it reviews your documents and tells you exactly what is needed before processing.

For private-party purchases, yes, EZPayDMV lists a bill of sale as one of the common required documents. The California DMV may also require a bill of sale in certain situations, such as when the seller is not the owner listed on the title. If you do not have a bill of sale, EZPayDMV says it has forms available and can help prepare the needed paperwork. Reg 262 (Bill of sales) can be purchased from our online shop or in our offices.

You may need a smog certificate, depending on the vehicle, transfer type, and DMV requirements. EZPayDMV lists a smog certificate as required “if required,” and California DMV says a smog certification is needed for private-party vehicle purchases unless an exemption applies. For example, DMV says a seller generally needs to provide a valid smog certification when selling a vehicle, but DMV also notes exemptions for certain vehicles and family transfers.

Usually, yes, if the vehicle is subject to odometer disclosure rules. EZPayDMV lists an odometer reading as a common requirement for vehicles under 20 years old. California DMV also says private-party transfers require a record of the odometer mileage when applicable, and if the title does not have a mileage section, a REG 262 may be required and must be signed by both buyer and seller.

Yes. EZPayDMV can help with non-California title transfers and move-to-California vehicle registration. Common requirements include the out-of-state title, bill of sale if applicable, passing smog if required, VIN verification, and California DMV REG 343. The California DMV says REG 343 is used for vehicles being registered for the first time and for nonresident vehicles brought into California, and it must be submitted with appropriate fees within 20 days of the vehicle first being operated in California.

Yes. EZPayDMV offers optional tag and plate shipping for eligible title-transfer transactions. After your transfer is processed, EZPayDMV can ship new tags or plates directly to your address when they are needed and available for your transaction.

EZPayDMV says most title transfers are completed within 1 business day after all required documents and payment are received. Processing time can vary if documents are missing, signatures are incorrect, smog is still needed, DMV records show fees or issues, a lienholder release is required, or the vehicle needs additional verification. Keep in mind that DMV-issued titles may still take longer to arrive by mail; the California DMV says titles usually arrive by mail within 15 to 30 days.