California DMV Guide for Used Car Buyers: Title and Deadlines

When you buy a used car in California, the DMV side of the deal has two deadlines and a short stack of forms. You, the buyer, must report the change of ownership within 10 days. The seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days. Everything else, from the signed pink slip to the use tax, flows from those two obligations.

This guide is the map of the whole DMV process for buyers in Irvine and the rest of Orange County. It explains which form does what, who is responsible for each piece, and what to do when the situation isn't standard, such as a lost title, a car with a loan on it, or a vehicle coming from another state. Each of those has its own detailed article linked below.

Who does what: buyer vs. seller

Most DMV headaches come from one side assuming the other handled something. Here's the split:

When you buy from Irvine Used Cars, we provide the signed title, the smog certificate, and a bill of sale; you handle registration and pay tax and fees at the DMV.

The forms you'll actually see

California uses form numbers that sound alike. These are the ones a typical buyer runs into:

• California Certificate of Title (the pink slip): the core ownership document. The seller signs the release section; you sign as the new owner. See California title transfer step by step for exactly where each signature goes.
• REG 135, Bill of Sale: records the price, date, and parties. Useful proof of what you paid, which matters for use tax. Our REG 135 bill of sale guide shows how to fill it in.
• REG 262, Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment: used for odometer disclosure and some reassignments when the title doesn't have room.
• REG 138, Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability: the seller's form, usually filed online. Read more in our release of liability (NRL) explainer.
• REG 227, Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title: used when the title is lost or damaged. If there's a lienholder, section 5 must be notarized.
• REG 166, Lien Satisfied: proof a loan on the car has been paid off.
• REG 256, Statement of Facts: explains special situations, such as family transfers or gifts that may be exempt from use tax.
• REG 31, Verification of Vehicle: required for cars coming in from out of state.
• REG 5, Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate: for buying a car from the estate of a deceased owner.

You won't need all of these. A straightforward sale with a clean California title usually needs the title, smog certificate, bill of sale, and odometer disclosure.

Paying use tax and fees

When you register a car you bought from a private party, you pay use tax to the DMV based on the rate at your address, not the seller's. A buyer in Irvine pays 7.75%; a buyer in Santa Ana pays 9.25% (rates effective Oct 1, 2026; rates change, so check CDTFA's rate lookup at cdtfa.ca.gov). Our Orange County used car sales tax guide lists rates by city.

DMV fees are made up of several parts: the registration fee, the vehicle license fee (VLF), the CHP fee, county or district fees, and a Transportation Improvement Fee that scales with vehicle value. The transfer fee is commonly cited as $15, but the total depends on the car. Use the DMV Fee Calculator at dmv.ca.gov instead of guessing, and know that late transfer penalties apply if you miss the 10-day window.

How to submit: online, mail, or in person

You have a few options, and availability changes, so check the DMV website first:

1. Online. Many ownership transfers can now be started or completed through DMV online services.
2. By mail. Title work can be mailed to DMV, PO Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269. Keep copies of everything and send it with tracking.
3. DMV business partners or AAA. Some registration services handle transfers for a fee; AAA offers certain DMV services to members. Confirm what they can process before you go.
4. A DMV field office. Use the DMV office locator and book an appointment. Walk-in waits at busy Orange County offices can be long.

After processing, your new title is usually mailed within 15 to 30 days. Your registration card and stickers come separately if they weren't issued in person.

Situations that need extra steps

• Car with a loan on it. The lienholder must release its interest, either by signing the title or with a REG 166. Don't pay in full until you know how the lien gets cleared. See buying a car with a lien in California.
• Lost title. The seller should apply for a replacement or complete REG 227 so the transfer can go through. Details in our lost title and REG 227 guide.
• Out-of-state car. You'll need a VIN verification (REG 31) and a California smog check when it's first registered here. Read registering an out-of-state car in California.
• Family gift. Transfers between parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and spouses or domestic partners may be exempt from use tax with a REG 256. Our gifting a car to family article covers it.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss the 10-day deadline?

The DMV can charge late transfer penalties on top of the normal fees, and the car stays in a gray zone until the record is updated. File as soon as you can and use the Fee Calculator to see exactly what you owe.

Does the seller have to come to the DMV with me?

No. The seller signs the title and provides the smog certificate and other documents at the sale, then files the release of liability on their own, usually online. You submit your part separately.

Can I register the car if the smog certificate is older than 90 days?

A passing smog certificate is valid for 90 days. If it has expired by the time you register, the DMV will want a current one. Ask the seller for a new certificate, since the legal responsibility for providing it sits with the seller.

Do I need an appointment to transfer a title?

Not always. Many transfers can be handled online, by mail, or through a business partner. If you do need a field office, book an appointment through dmv.ca.gov to avoid a long wait.

Is the bill of sale required if the title shows the price?

The title has a space for the purchase price, but a separate bill of sale is a cleaner record of the date, price, and parties. It's especially helpful if the DMV questions the value used for tax.

Next steps

Once the paperwork is clear, the fun part is choosing the car. Browse our used cars and ask any DMV paperwork questions when you call or text (516) 835-6141 to book a test drive in Irvine. For the full buying process, start with how to buy a used car in Orange County.