Looking for instructions on how to sign your California (CA) car title or where to sign your California (CA) car title? This page explains how a seller should sign their California car title over to a buyer.
The car’s title is the most crucial document required in order to transfer ownership of a vehicle from one party to another. This legal paperwork from the California DMV identifies a car and its real, registered owner(s). The certificate of title must be transferred from the previous owner to the new owner when selling or purchasing a car. According to the DMV, the procedure is known as a Title Transfer or Change of Ownership. A pink slip is another name for a certificate of title. A new Certificate of Title is issued and mailed out by the California DMV following the submission of the necessary paperwork.
- Only use a black or blue pen.
- Do not use a highlighter or white-out.
- No strikethroughs, write-overs, scribbles, or tears are permitted.
- Unless you are an authorized dealer, do not sign in the Dealer Reassignment section.
Where do I need to sign the title?
Make sure you sign/print your name precisely as it appears on the front of your title. White-out, scribbles, and strike-throughs should all be avoided.
- SIGN name(s) on the front of title (line 1a) above "SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED OWNER".
- SIGN name(s) on the front of title below the odometer section where it reads "TRANSFEROR/ SELLER SIGNATURE(s)".
- PRINT name(s) on the front of title below the odometer section where it reads "PRINTED NAME OF SELLER OR AGENT SIGNING FOR A COMPANY".
- Disregard #2 and only sign line 1a if your car is 10 years old or older. Make certain that the title is signed legibly, exactly as your name appears on the front.
What if the car has multiple owners?
- If the title has "OR" printed between the owner names on the front, then just one owner needs to sign.
- If the title contains the words "AND" or "AND/OR" between the names of the owners or if there is no space between their names, both owners must sign.
What if the title has a lien or a bank name on it?
- If your California title has a lien or a bank name printed on the front, the lien holder must sign off on the title or a separate lien release letter must be obtained.
How long does it take to get a duplicate title?
- It will take 2 to 6 weeks to get a duplicate title if you apply in person.
- It will take 2 to 6 weeks to get a duplicate title if you apply by mail.
How much does it cost to get a duplicate title?
- In California, a duplicate title costs $20.
Ready to sell your car?
California DMV Information
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California Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001 - (800) 777-0133
- California DMV Locations (dmv.ca.gov)
- California DMV Website (dmv.ca.gov)
If your title design differs from the example above, carefully review your title before proceeding. While the signature and printed name fields may be in different places, you must still print and sign your name in the appropriate places.
Additional California Vehicle Guides
California Vehicle Title Replacement: Get a Duplicate CA Title
Looking to get a California (CA) car title replacement or duplicate? Click here to read about the California replacement title process.
