Donate a car or vehicle in California - CA
State Title Information
Help a child with a car, motorcycle, automobile, truck, boat or any vehicle donation. What vehicles need titles in your state. How to transfer ownership...
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When donating a car it is necessary to transfer ownership. Various states have different regulations on how this is done. This page is a collection of actual references from The California state web site.
Just click on any of the links below for more information on that subject.
1. How do I obtain a Duplicate Title?
2. What are the Requirements for Selling a Vehicle?
3. What is the Definition of Lemon Law
4. Where can I find more information about Reg Form 262 and Reg Form 227?
6. Donate Vehicle Testimonials
1. How to obtain a duplicate title.
You may apply for a duplicate title if your original title has been lost, stolen or mutilated. To obtain a duplicate title, you must:
-Complete an Application for Duplicate Title form (Reg 227) including the vehicle license plate number, your true full name, current address and your driver license number. Sign the statement of facts explaining what happen to the title.
-Attach the damaged title, if mutilated.
-Pay the duplicate title fee of $15. The duplicate title fee for boats/vessels is $15.
You may submit this application either in person or by mail. You can make an appointment at your local DMV or mail the completed forms with payment to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
P. O. Box 942869 Mail Station E-254
Sacramento, California 94269-0001
If you present the application at your local DMV office, you will be required to show your California photo driver license.
2. Requirements after selling a vehicle.
When selling a California registered vehicle, the registered owner of record must:
-Release ownership by signing on line one of the title. If the vehicle is, or was financed, a name will be in the legal owner section and their releasing signature is required on line two.
-Provide the purchaser with evidence of a valid smog certification.
Smog certificates are good for 90 days from the date of inspection. The smog certification is not required if the owner or buyer signs a statement that smog certification was submitted with renewal fees within 90 days prior to the transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).-Provide the odometer mileage if the vehicle is less than 10 years old (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form, REG 262). If the title does not have a designated space for this information, a REG 262 reporting the odometer mileage must be signed by both the seller and buyer. The REG 262 cannot be copied. An original must be submitted. To obtain a form by mail, call DMV's automated phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-777-0133. To speak to an operator call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, Pacific Standard Time, or pick one up from your local DMV. If calling from outside the United States, please call 916-229-0370.
-Complete a Notice of Release of Liability (REG 138) and mail the notice to the DMV address on the form. The seller is responsible for reporting the change of ownership to DMV within 5 days from the date of sale. It is important to do this as soon as possible, because after DMV updates the information from the REG 138, you will be cleared from future liability on the vehicle. The purchaser is responsible for reporting the change of ownership to DMV within 10 days from the date of purchase.
3. Definition of the Lemon Law.
Under California's Lemon Law, a new vehicle which is leased or sold with a manufacturer's written warranty may be returned to the manufacturer for a refund or a replacement if it cannot be repaired.
Consumers can receive a copy of "Lemon-Aid for New Car Buyers" in English or Spanish by calling (916)323-7239 or the toll-free number at 1-800-952-5210, or writing to the Department of Consumer Affairs at:
DCA Publications
401 S Street, Suite 100,
Sacramento, CA 95814.
4. Where can I find more information about Reg Form 262 and Reg Form 227?
California Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
