Lost Title in California? How REG 227 Works

If a California title is lost, stolen, damaged or never arrived, the fix is the DMV's REG 227, the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title. The name tells you it does two jobs. An owner can use it to get a duplicate pink slip, or a seller and buyer can use it to transfer ownership when the original title can't be found.

For a buyer, a missing title is a reason to slow down, not a reason to walk away right away. Plenty of honest owners lose paperwork over the years. The goal is to make sure the person selling the car is really the owner, that no lender still has a claim, and that the DMV will accept the paperwork you leave with.

Two ways to use REG 227

Option 1: The owner replaces the title first

The registered owner applies for a duplicate title, waits for it to arrive by mail, and then signs it over the normal way. This is the cleanest route for buyers because you get a standard signed title, just like any other sale. The trade-off is time. Titles usually arrive by mail within 15 to 30 days, so the sale has to wait.

Option 2: Transfer with REG 227 instead of the title

The seller fills out REG 227 as the owner whose title is lost, and the form serves as the transfer document. The buyer then submits it to the DMV along with the other transfer paperwork. This is faster but puts more weight on the buyer to confirm everything is right, because you're accepting a form instead of the original title.

Red flags when a seller "lost" the title

Most lost titles are just lost. A few situations deserve extra caution:

• The seller's name doesn't match the registration. The person signing REG 227 needs to be the owner of record. "It's my cousin's car" is not good enough.
• There's still a loan. If a bank or credit union is the legal owner, the seller can't release it alone. See buying a car with a lien in California for how payoffs and lien releases (REG 166) usually work.
• Pressure to pay cash today. A real owner can wait a few weeks for a duplicate title if you ask.
• Mismatched VINs. Check the VIN on the dashboard, door jamb label and registration card. They should all match the form.
• History you can't explain. Run a history report and check NMVTIS through an approved provider (listed at vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov) for brands like salvage or junk. Title washing is a crime, and a "lost" title is one way it's attempted.

Buyer checklist for a REG 227 sale

1. Ask for current registration in the seller's name and compare it with their driver's license.
2. Confirm there's no lienholder, or that the lien has been satisfied with a REG 166 Lien Satisfied or lender release.
3. Get the form signed in front of you, with the correct VIN, plate and odometer reading.
4. Get a notary for section 5 if there's a legal owner listed.
5. Get a bill of sale (REG 135) showing price and date. Our guide to the California bill of sale covers what to include.
6. Get the smog certificate if the car needs one at transfer. The seller provides it.
7. Submit within 10 days. As the buyer, you have 10 days to report the change of ownership, and late penalties can apply.

Where to submit and how long it takes

You can take REG 227 to a DMV office (book an appointment at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/) or mail title work to DMV, PO Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269. Some DMV business partners and AAA offices (for members) can help with certain transactions, but services vary, so check before you go. Fees depend on the transaction. Use the DMV Fee Calculator instead of guessing, and expect the transfer fee and use tax in addition to the duplicate title fee.

Plan your timing around the paperwork. A buyer who receives REG 227 and the other documents can submit right away. A seller who chooses to wait for a duplicate title first should tell the buyer realistic timing, because mailed titles commonly take a few weeks.

Lost titles on out-of-state cars

REG 227 is for California titles. If you're buying a car still titled in another state and that title is missing, the seller usually has to get a replacement from the state that issued it. California will want the out-of-state title plus a vehicle verification (REG 31) before it registers the car here. Our guide on registering an out-of-state car in California explains the rest of that process.

If you're the one who lost your title

If you own the car outright and just can't find the pink slip, apply for a replacement before you list the car for sale. Buyers trust a car with a title in hand, and you'll avoid a rushed notary visit or a form filled out wrong in a parking lot. Keep the new title somewhere safe, not in the glove box, where it can be stolen along with the car.

For the bigger picture of deadlines and forms, see the California DMV guide for used car buyers, and to see what you'll pay at the DMV in Irvine, Santa Ana or elsewhere in the county, check our Orange County used car sales tax rates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a car in California if the seller doesn't have the title?

Yes, if the seller is the owner of record and signs a REG 227 Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title. Confirm their identity against the registration, make sure there's no outstanding lien, and get a bill of sale. If anything doesn't add up, ask them to get a duplicate title first.

How long does a replacement title take in California?

Titles usually arrive by mail within 15 to 30 days after the DMV processes the application. Timing can vary, so build a cushion into any sale that depends on a duplicate.

Does REG 227 need to be notarized?

Section 5 must be notarized when there's a legal owner or lienholder. In a simple sale with no lender, notarization often isn't needed, but read the form instructions or confirm with the DMV for your situation.

What if the title was signed and then lost before I submitted it?

Contact the seller and ask them to complete a REG 227 so you can finish the transfer. This is a good reason to photograph every signed document at the sale and keep the seller's contact information until your new title arrives.

Does a dealer sale ever involve a lost title?

Rarely. Dealers handle titles all the time and usually have the paperwork ready. Still, ask to see the title or the paperwork the dealer will give you before you pay, so you know what you're getting.

Buying with clean paperwork

At Irvine Used Cars, every sale comes with a signed title, a smog certificate and a bill of sale, and you handle registration at the DMV. If you're shopping in Irvine, Tustin or nearby, see what's listed right now, or call or text (516) 835-6141 to ask about a car.