What goes on a California certificate of title form

A California certificate of title is the state document that proves you own a vehicle. The form itself is called the process for Title or Registration (Form REG 343), and you fill it out when you buy a used car, inherit one, or need to replace a lost title. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues the final certificate after you submit the completed form with supporting documents and pay the fee.

The form has sections for your personal information, the vehicle details, and the reason you are requesting the title. Most sections are straightforward — name, address, vehicle identification number (VIN) — but some require specific documents to match what you write. Getting these details right the first time keeps the DMV from rejecting your process and sending it back.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the completed Form REG 343, a bill of sale or purchase agreement, proof of ownership, and a smog certificate (for most vehicles) before you submit anything to the DMV.
  • Print your name and address exactly as they appear on your ID or driver's license, because the DMV will cross-check them.
  • The vehicle identification number (VIN) must match the one on the vehicle itself and on any bill of sale or previous title you have.
  • If you bought the car from a private seller, you need their signature on the bill of sale in the same section where you sign; dealer sales come with a different document called the Temporary Registration Permit.
  • You can submit the form by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through a DMV-authorized service, and processing takes two to three weeks by mail.

Gather your documents before you start writing

Do not fill out the form until you have collected everything the DMV will ask for. If you submit an incomplete process, the DMV will return it and you will have to start over. The documents you need depend on how you got the vehicle, but the core set includes a bill of sale or purchase agreement, proof of ownership, and a smog certificate.

If you bought the car from a private seller, you need a signed bill of sale showing the seller's name, address, and signature, plus the sale price and date. If you bought it from a dealer, the dealer gives you a Temporary Registration Permit (Form REG 343-V) instead — keep that with you. If you inherited the vehicle, you need a copy of the will or a letter from the probate court. If the previous owner is deceased and there is no will, you may need additional court documents; contact your local DMV office for the exact requirements in your situation.

You also need proof that the vehicle passed a smog inspection within the last 30 days (for most cars). The smog technician gives you a certificate at the end of the test. Bring your current driver's license or state ID so the DMV can verify your identity and address.

Fill in your name and address section

At the top of Form REG 343, you will see a box labeled "Owner Information." Print your full legal name exactly as it appears on your driver's license or state ID. Do not use a nickname or abbreviation. If your name has changed since your ID was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change, along with your updated ID.

Below your name, print your current mailing address. This is where the DMV will send your new title. If you have a P.O. box, you can use that for mail, but the DMV also requires a street address for their records. Print both clearly in the spaces provided. Make sure the address matches what is on your ID; if it does not, update your ID first or bring a document showing your current address, such as a utility bill or lease.

If there is a second owner (for example, a spouse or co-buyer), print their name and address in the "Second Owner" section. Both owners must sign the form in the signature section at the bottom. If only one person is buying the vehicle, leave the second owner section blank.

Enter the vehicle identification number and vehicle details

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-character code stamped on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield. You can also find it on the bill of sale, the previous title, or the window sticker on a new car. Print each character carefully in the VIN box — a single mistake will cause the DMV to reject the form.

Below the VIN, fill in the vehicle make (for example, Honda), model (Civic), model year, and body type (sedan, truck, coupe). These details should match the bill of sale and the vehicle itself. If the bill of sale says "2019 Honda Civic" but the car is actually a 2020, contact the seller and get a corrected bill of sale before submitting the form to the DMV.

In the "License Plate" section, leave this blank if you do not yet have a plate. If you are transferring a plate from another vehicle, print the plate number. The DMV will assign you a new plate when they issue your title, unless you request to keep an existing one.

Complete the bill of sale and ownership section

Form REG 343 includes a bill of sale section at the bottom. If you bought the car from a private seller, you and the seller both sign and print your names here. The seller must also print their address and the date of sale. The sale price goes in the box labeled "Amount Paid" — write the actual amount you paid, not a lower number to reduce registration fees. The DMV cross-checks this against the bill of sale you submit separately, and mismatches can delay processing.

If you bought the car from a dealer, do not fill in this section. Instead, submit the Temporary Registration Permit (Form REG 343-V) that the dealer gave you at the time of purchase. The dealer's signature is already on that document.

If you inherited the vehicle or received it as a gift, the bill of sale section may not explore. Instead, you will submit a probate document, a gift letter, or a court order along with the form. Contact your local DMV office or check the DMV website for the exact form you need in your situation.

Sign and date the form in the correct places

At the bottom of Form REG 343, you will see signature lines for the owner (and second owner, if there is one). Sign your name in pen — do not print it, and do not use initials. The signature must match the signature on your driver's license or state ID as closely as possible. If you have a second owner, they must also sign on their line. Both signatures are required for the DMV to process the form.

Print the date you are signing the form in the date box. Use the format MM/DD/YYYY (for example, 03/15/2024). Do not sign the form before you have filled in all the other sections, because the DMV may reject it if the signature appears before the form is complete.

Submit the form with supporting documents

Once the form is complete and signed, gather all your supporting documents in one packet: the completed Form REG 343, the bill of sale (signed by both parties if it is a private sale), the smog certificate, your driver's license or ID, and the Temporary Registration Permit if you bought from a dealer. If you inherited the vehicle, include the probate document or court order instead of a bill of sale.

You can submit this packet by mail to your local DMV office, in person at any DMV office, or through a DMV-authorized service such as a AAA office (if you are a member) or a private registration service. By mail, processing takes two to three weeks. In person, you can often get a temporary receipt the same day, though the official title arrives by mail later. Check the DMV website for the mailing address of your local office and any current delays.

Include a check or money order for the title fee. As of 2024, the fee for a new title is $15, but this can change. Verify the current fee on the DMV website before you mail your process. If you submit in person, you can pay by check, money order, debit card, or credit card.

Common mistakes that delay or reject your process

The most frequent error is a mismatch between the VIN on the form and the VIN on the vehicle or bill of sale. Before you submit, compare all three sources character by character. A single wrong digit will cause the DMV to return the form.

The second common mistake is signing the form before filling in all the other sections, or signing in the wrong place. The DMV will reject an unsigned form or one with signatures in the wrong boxes. Make sure both the owner and second owner (if applicable) have signed on their designated lines.

A third mistake is submitting a bill of sale that is not signed by both the buyer and seller, or one that is missing the sale price or date. If you are buying from a private seller, get their signature on the bill of sale before you leave their house. If you are buying from a dealer, make sure you have the Temporary Registration Permit they gave you at the time of purchase.

Finally, do not submit the form without a smog certificate (unless your vehicle is exempt — very new cars, electric vehicles, and some older vehicles may not need one). Check the DMV website to see if your vehicle requires a smog test. If it does and you submit without the certificate, the DMV will return the form and you will have to start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the form online or do I have to print it?

You must print Form REG 343 and fill it out by hand or on a computer before printing. The DMV does not accept online submissions for title applications. You can read the form from the California DMV website, fill it out, print it, and then mail it or bring it in person to a DMV office.

What if the seller's name on the bill of sale does not match the name on the previous title?

Contact the seller and ask them to clarify. If the names are different because of a legal name change, the seller should provide a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. If the names are different for another reason, the seller may not have the legal right to sell you the car, and you should not complete the purchase.

Do I need to notarize the bill of sale?

No. California does not require a notarized bill of sale for a private vehicle sale. A signature from both the buyer and seller is sufficient. However, having it notarized does not hurt and may speed up processing if there is any question about the signatures.

What happens if I make a mistake on the form after I have already signed it?

If the mistake is minor (a small spelling error, for example), you can cross it out neatly, write the correction above it, and initial the change. If the mistake is major (wrong VIN, wrong owner name), start over with a fresh form. Do not submit a form with large corrections, because the DMV may reject it.

How long does it take to get the title after I submit the form?

By mail, the DMV typically processes title applications in two to three weeks. If you submit in person, you will receive a temporary receipt the same day, and the official title arrives by mail within two to three weeks. During busy periods, processing may take longer. You can check the status of your process on the DMV website using your process number.