How to Transfer a Car Title After a Private Party Sale in California

Quick Answer: After a private party sale, the buyer has 10 days to submit the transfer application to the DMV. The seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 days of the sale. The $15 transfer fee, plus use tax (7.25% statewide base, higher in counties with district taxes), is due at submission. California does NOT require notarization for standard private party title transfers.

You bought the car. The seller signed the title. Now you have 10 days to get this done before late penalties kick in. And the seller has 5 days before they are still legally on the hook for anything that happens to that vehicle.

This guide walks through every step for both sides, in the right order, with the details most guides miss.

California does NOT require notarization

California does not require notarization for standard private party title transfers. Both parties sign the title in ink. Notarization is required only in specific circumstances, such as applying for a duplicate title when a lienholder is involved on vehicles 3 model years or older.

AND vs. OR: The Signature Rule That Causes Transaction Failures

Check the title before anything else. The conjunction between co-owner names determines whose signatures are needed:

The Two Signatures on the Front of a California Title

California Certificate of Title requires the seller to sign in two places on the front:

• Line 1 -- Registered Owner Signature: The seller's signature releasing ownership.
• Transferor/Odometer section: The seller signs again as the transferor and records the odometer mileage (required for model year 2011 and newer vehicles within the 20-year disclosure period; model year 2010 and older within 10 years).

Missing either signature causes the application to be rejected and returned.

Seller's Steps (Complete Before Handing Over the Car)

• Sign the title in both required places (see above). Use black or blue ink. No white-out, no cross-outs, these void the title.
• Record the odometer mileage in the designated section if required for your vehicle.
• Provide the smog certificate. In most private sales, the seller is responsible for providing a valid smog cert (issued within 90 days). Required for most gas vehicles more than 4 model years old.
• File the NRL within 5 days: Submit the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability online at dmv.ca.gov or mail Form REG 138. This protects the seller from future liability. It does NOT transfer the title; the buyer must do that.

Buyer's Steps

• Verify the seller's signatures and odometer entry are complete before leaving with the car
• Complete the buyer sections of the title, your name, address, and signature
• Get a smog certificate from the seller (or verify it was already provided)
• Submit to DMV within 10 days: In-person, by mail, or through Xtreet. Include: signed title, REG 343 (Application for Title or Registration), proof of CA insurance, smog certificate, and payment for all fees.

The 10-day clock is the trap here: a rejected application does not reset it, so a single signature or odometer error can push you straight into the $30 late penalty. Xtreet pre-checks the AND/OR signatures, odometer entry, and smog status before the packet reaches the DMV, then submits on your behalf and tracks the result in your account, which is how you keep the deadline from becoming a penalty.

Fees

• Transfer fee: $15
• Use tax: 7.25% statewide base, higher in counties with district taxes, applied to the purchase price. Use the CA DMV fee calculator at dmv.ca.gov to estimate your total before you go.
• Registration fees: Due if the vehicle's registration has expired or is close to expiry, collected at the same time as the transfer.
• Late penalty: $30 initial penalty if transfer is submitted after 10 days. Penalties increase the longer you wait.

For a full breakdown of what goes into the transfer cost, see Understanding California DMV Title Transfer Fees.

What to Expect After Submission

After a complete application is submitted:

• DMV processing: 15-30 business days
• You will receive a new registration card first (within a few weeks of processing)
• The physical California Certificate of Title is mailed separately, typically 2-6 weeks after processing completes
• If your application has an error, the DMV will return it by mail with a rejection notice. The 10-day clock does not restart, late penalties may already apply

Check status anytime at dmv.ca.gov or through your Xtreet account if submitted via Xtreet. For more on the full timeline, see California Title Transfer Timeline: How Long It Really Takes.

What If the Title Is Lost?

If the seller does not have the original title, they must complete Form REG 227 (Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title) before or alongside the transfer. Both parties sign the REG 227. If a lienholder is on record, their signature or a notarized REG 166 may also be required. This is the one scenario where signatures beyond a simple ink sign may be needed, not standard transfers.

For step-by-step guidance, see Duplicate Car Title in California: When and Why You Need It.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California require notarization for a private party title transfer?

No. Standard private party transfers do not require notarization. Both parties sign the original title in ink. Notarization is only required in specific circumstances, such as certain duplicate title applications involving lienholders.

What is the transfer fee for a private party sale in California?

The base transfer fee is $15. Use tax (7.25% statewide base, higher in counties with district taxes) is also due at the time of submission. Additional registration fees may apply if the vehicle's registration has expired.

What happens if the buyer misses the 10-day deadline?

A $30 late penalty applies initially. The penalty increases the longer the transfer is delayed. There is no grace period -- the clock starts on the date of sale.

Does the seller need to go to the DMV?

In most cases, no. The seller's main obligation is to file the NRL within 5 days, which can be done online at dmv.ca.gov. The buyer is responsible for physically submitting the transfer paperwork to the DMV.

Who is responsible for the smog check in a private party sale?

In California private sales, the seller is typically responsible for providing a valid smog certificate (issued within the last 90 days). Exemptions include vehicles under 4 model years old, electric vehicles, and diesel vehicles over 14,000 lbs. See Failed Smog Check in California: What to Do Next if the vehicle does not pass.

Last reviewed by the Xtreet Research Team -- June 2026. Process sourced from the California DMV (Title Transfers and Changes; Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, VC Section 5900; Co-Owner signature rules, VC Section 4150.5 and 9852.5) and the federal odometer disclosure rule (NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 580, effective January 1, 2021). Fee figures verified against the DMV 2026 fee schedule.