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The bottom line: California has two requirements that stand out: you must provide a passing smog certificate for most cars, and you must file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 days of the sale.
You sign the title, hand over the smog certificate, and file the NRL online. The buyer handles registration, taxes, and title transfer fees after that.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: California does not require it. Sign in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the title.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $27.00 and can be applied for online through the California DMV virtual office. Plan for 15 to 30 days to receive it.
- Smog certificate: You must provide a valid, passing smog certificate for most gasoline-powered cars more than four model years old. This is the seller’s responsibility.
- License plates: In California, plates stay with the car. Remove your personal items, but leave the standard plates on the vehicle.
- Release of liability: California requires you to file the NRL online within 5 calendar days of the sale to stop being liable for tickets and accidents.
- Bill of sale: Not required by law for most private sales in California. It’s recommended for your own protection.
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Step-by-Step Process for California
Step 1: Prepare Your California Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title (pink slip) – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid California driver’s license or state ID – Names must match exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Apply online or visit your DMV in person using Form REG 227, and pay the $27.00 fee. Plan for 15 to 30 days to receive the new title in the mail.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender holds the title electronically through California’s ELT (Electronic Lien and Title) system. Contact your lender to release the lien, and they will either mail you a paper title or authorize the DMV to issue one. You can’t transfer the title until the lien is fully resolved.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you changed your name, bring documentation like a marriage certificate or court order showing the change.
Electronic titles:
California’s ELT system is used by banks and lienholders, not private sellers. If a lender holds your title electronically, you’ll need to request a paper title from the DMV before you can complete the private sale.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
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Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in California, especially in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Nevada and Arizona.
California’s strict emissions rules mean buyers are aware of smog requirements, so leading with a clean smog certificate in your listing helps close deals faster. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
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Step 7: Get the Smog Certificate
California requires you (the seller) to provide a valid, passing smog certificate at the time of sale for most vehicles. You can’t skip this step.
Who needs smog testing:
- All gasoline-powered vehicles more than four model years old
- Vehicles 1975 and older are exempt
- Electric and diesel vehicles are also exempt from smog testing
- Cars four model years old or newer only require the buyer to pay an $8 smog transfer fee
Important details:
- Certificates are valid for 90 days from the test date
- If you tested within 90 days before the sale, you can use that certificate
- Typical cost: $30 to $70
Find a smog test station near you using the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s station locator.
Step 8: Complete the California Title Transfer
California titles have specific fields you must complete before handing it to the buyer. Use blue or black ink only. Any white-out or correction fluid voids the title, and you’d need to apply for a replacement.
What to fill in on the title:
- Sign the seller section (where it says the registered owner releases interest)
- Enter the buyer’s full legal name and address
- Enter the exact sale date and sale price
- Complete the odometer disclosure section for vehicles under 10 years old
Multiple owners on the title:
- Names joined by “AND” means all owners must sign
- Names joined by “OR” means any one owner can sign
Buyer’s deadline: The buyer has 10 days from the sale date to transfer the title and register the vehicle with the California DMV.
Step 9: Sign the Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in California for most private sales. It does come in handy if there’s any dispute later about the sale price, condition, or the date the car changed hands.
It doesn’t need to be notarized. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes, or use California’s optional Form REG 135 from the DMV.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 10: Handle California License Plates and Registration
In California, license plates stay with the car when you sell it. Remove your personal items, but leave the standard plates on the vehicle.
The buyer uses those plates temporarily until they register the car in their name within 10 days. Contact the DMV to cancel your registration so you stop being billed for it.
Exception: Personalized or specialty plates belong to you. You can remove those and transfer them to another vehicle you own, or keep them for future use.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 11: Submit the Release of Liability
File the NRL online with the California DMV after you sell the car. You must do this within 5 calendar days of the sale date.
This stops you from being responsible for parking tickets, traffic violations, and accidents after the car changes hands. You’ll get instant confirmation when you file online.
Step 12: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
California DMV Resources
State Resources:
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- DMV Office Locations
- License Plates and Registration
- Bureau of Automotive Repair – Smog Station Locator
Phone Support:
- General DMV: 1-800-777-0133
- TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-368-4327
California Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Smog inspection | $30 to $70 | Before sale (most cars) |
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $27.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 10 days from the sale date to transfer the title and register the car with the California DMV. If they miss that window, they’ll face late registration fees. The 10-day clock starts on the date of sale, not the date they receive the paperwork.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in California?
No, California doesn’t require title notarization. The title assignment itself never needs a notary.
When is a bill of sale required in California?
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law, but it’s recommended for protection. The one situation where it becomes particularly important is if the seller’s name doesn’t appear on the title.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in California?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender. In California, most lenders hold the title through the ELT system, so they’ll need to release it before you can complete the sale. Some lenders let you pay off the loan at closing using the buyer’s funds, with the title released directly to the buyer afterward.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
My car was inherited. What additional California forms do I need?
If the estate goes through probate, you’ll need a court order or letters testamentary before the DMV will let you transfer the title. For vehicles valued under $166,250, California allows a simpler process using an Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate (REG 5). You can pick up Form REG 5 at your local DMV office.
Once the title is in your name, the standard private sale process applies.
Both my spouse and I are on the California title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the names are joined. If your names are connected by “AND,” all owners must sign. If they’re connected by “OR,” any one owner can sign alone. Check the exact wording on your title before the sale.
What if I make a mistake on the California title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any correction voids the title in California. You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form REG 227 and pay the $27.00 fee before you can proceed with the sale.
The buyer is from out of state. Does California require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same. You still need to provide the smog certificate (if required) and file the NRL within 5 days. The buyer handles registration in their home state, which may require a VIN inspection or additional steps on their end.
Do California license plates transfer to the buyer?
Yes, standard California plates stay with the car. The buyer uses them temporarily while they complete registration. Personalized or specialty plates are the exception: you can remove those and transfer them to another car you own or hold onto them for future use.
Does California require emissions testing when selling a car?
Yes. You must provide a valid, passing smog certificate for most gasoline-powered vehicles more than four model years old. The certificate is valid for 90 days. Electric vehicles, diesels, and vehicles from 1975 and older are exempt.
Find a smog station near you at the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s website. Typical test cost runs $30 to $70.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in California?
Yes. You must file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) with the California DMV within 5 calendar days of the sale. Filing online is the fastest option and gives you instant confirmation. This protects you from parking tickets, toll violations, and accident liability after the sale.
How do I sell a junk car in California?
The process is similar but smog requirements may not apply depending on how the buyer uses the vehicle. You can also compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to find the best deal. Read the full guide for California junk car sellers.
Learn more: How to Sell a Junk Car in California
Article Update History
All California DMV requirements in this guide have been verified against the California DMV website and the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.