Short answer: not without some extra steps. California requires a signed title to transfer vehicle ownership. But if you've lost your title, inherited a car, or have a lien complicating things, there are clear paths forward. I deal with these situations every week as a licensed dealer, and they're almost never as complicated as people think.
Here's what to do depending on your situation.
If You Lost Your Title
This is the most common scenario I see. The title has been in a junk drawer for years, you moved and it didn't make the trip, or you just have no idea where it went.
The fix: File a REG 227 with the California DMV.
REG 227 is the Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title. You fill it out with your vehicle information, check the box that says "lost," sign the indemnity statement, and submit it. You can do this in person at a DMV office or by mail.
The details:
- Fee: $28
- Standard processing: about 30 days
- Rush processing: about 3 business days
- What you need: your driver's license number, the vehicle's VIN, make, model, and year
Once the duplicate title arrives, you sign it and sell the car like normal.
The shortcut for private sales: If you're selling to another person and don't want to wait 30 days, both of you can sign the REG 227 together at the time of sale. The buyer then takes the signed REG 227 to the DMV and processes the title transfer themselves. It works, but some buyers are understandably nervous about buying a car with no title in hand. That's where selling to a licensed dealer is simpler. We process title paperwork as part of our normal workflow.
If You're Selling to a Dealership or Car Buying Service
Most dealers and car buying services require a title before they'll make a purchase. That includes CarMax, Carvana, and most independent dealers.
The standard process: get your duplicate title first (REG 227, steps above), then bring it to the dealer.
As a licensed dealer, I handle title situations regularly. If you call me and say "I don't have my title," my first question is whether you're the registered owner with the DMV. If you are, we can usually work through it. I'll walk you through the REG 227, help make sure everything is filled out correctly, and coordinate the timing so you're not waiting around for 30 days wondering what's happening. The paperwork side is something I do every day. For you it might feel like a maze. For me it's a Tuesday.
If You Inherited a Car and the Owner Passed Away
This is the situation where people feel the most stuck. Someone in your family passed, they left a car, and you have no idea how to deal with the title.
The good news: California has a straightforward process for this, and in most cases you do not need to go through probate.
The REG 5 Process (Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate)
If the total value of the deceased person's California property is under $208,850, you can transfer the vehicle without probate court. You need to wait at least 40 days after the date of death, then:
- Complete form REG 5 (the affidavit)
- Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
- Provide the vehicle's title (or a REG 227 if the title is missing)
- Submit everything to the DMV
The vehicle transfers to the next of kin. From there, you can keep it, register it in your name, or sell it.
I wrote a full guide on selling an inherited car in California that walks through the REG 5 process, what happens when there's a will vs. no will, and the special situations that come up (multiple heirs, out-of-state titles, cars with loans).
If you're dealing with this right now and just want someone to handle it, call me. I work with families in this situation regularly. There's no pressure and no rush. I can explain your options, give you a range of what the car is worth, and handle the paperwork whenever you're ready.
If There's a Loan on the Car (Lien on the Title)
When you finance a vehicle, the lender holds the title until you pay off the loan. So technically, you don't have the title because the bank does.
Your options:
Pay off the loan first. Once the balance hits zero, the lender releases the title to you (electronically in most cases now). Then you sell with a clean title. If you have the cash to pay it off, this is the cleanest path.
Sell to a dealer who handles the payoff. This is how most people do it. When I buy a car with an active loan, I contact the lender directly, get the payoff amount, and send them the balance. If the car is worth more than you owe, I pay the lender and write you a check for the difference. If you owe more than the car is worth (negative equity), you'd need to cover the gap out of pocket.
CarMax and Carvana work the same way. They'll pay off your lender directly and give you the difference. The advantage of going through a dealer is that the title transfer and lien release happen behind the scenes. You don't have to coordinate between the bank, the DMV, and the buyer.
Selling privately with a lien is harder. The buyer has to trust that you'll use their payment to actually pay off the loan. Some people do this by meeting at the bank and paying off the loan together, but it's awkward and most private buyers won't go for it. If you have a lien, selling to a dealer is usually the path of least resistance.
The Bonded Title (Last Resort)
If you have a vehicle with no title and no way to trace the previous owner (abandoned vehicles, old barn finds, vehicles bought without paperwork years ago), California offers a bonded title process.
This is not simple and it's not cheap. Here's what it involves:
- Get the vehicle appraised
- Purchase a surety bond (typically 1.5x the appraised value) from a bond company
- Complete a REG 343 (Application for Title/Registration) and a REG 256 (Statement of Facts)
- Pass a DMV vehicle inspection (verifies the VIN, safety equipment, smog)
- Submit everything to the DMV
The DMV issues a "bonded title" that functions like a regular title but has a note that a bond is attached. The bond protects against someone else coming forward and claiming ownership. After a set period with no claims, the bond is released.
I'll be honest: if you're in bonded title territory, the vehicle needs to be worth enough to justify the effort and cost. For a $3,000 car, the bond alone might cost $500-800. For a collector car or something with real value, it's worth it.
What About Junk Cars?
If the car doesn't run, has major damage, or isn't worth much, you still need some form of title documentation to sell it legally in California. The same rules apply. A junk car without a title still needs a REG 227 for a duplicate, or a REG 5 if the owner is deceased.
Some junkyards and scrap buyers will take vehicles with just a registration card and your ID, but this varies and may not fully protect you legally. I'd recommend getting the duplicate title even for a junk car. It's $28 and it keeps everything clean.
The Simple Version
Here's the decision tree:
Lost your title? File REG 227, $28, wait 30 days (or 3 days with rush). Then sell normally.
Inherited a car? If the estate is under $208,850, use REG 5. No probate needed. Full guide here.
Lien on the car? Pay off the loan, or sell to a dealer who handles the payoff directly.
No documentation at all? Look into the bonded title process. It's a last resort but it works.
Just want someone to handle it? That's what I do. Call or text me at (747) 364-5606. I buy cars in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County, I come to you, and I deal with title situations every week. If your situation is something I can help with, I'll tell you. If it's not, I'll point you in the right direction. Either way, you'll know your options.
If you're still thinking about trying to sell privately first, our free listing tool writes professional listings for Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, AutoTrader, and Cars.com and also gives you an estimate of what your car is worth to a dealer. You get everything you need in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you legally sell a car without a title in California?
Not without extra steps. Get a duplicate via REG 227 ($28, about 30 days), or you and the buyer can sign the REG 227 together at the time of sale. See the lost title section above for the full process.
Can I sell my car without a title to a dealership?
Most dealers require a title first. You'll typically need the duplicate in hand. See the dealership section above for how licensed dealers can help facilitate.
How much does a bonded title cost in California?
The surety bond typically costs $100 or 1.5% of the bond amount, whichever is greater. For a car worth $10,000, expect to pay around $150-200 for the bond itself, plus the $28 DMV application fee and a vehicle inspection. The bond period is 3 years.
Does a duplicate California title look different from the original?
A duplicate title is functionally identical to the original and carries the same legal weight. It will be marked "Duplicate" on the document, but it's fully valid for selling or transferring the vehicle.
What if the previous owner won't sign the title over?
If you purchased a vehicle and the seller won't cooperate, your options are limited. You can try small claims court with your bill of sale as evidence, or pursue a bonded title if you have proof of purchase. This is why you should never buy a car without getting the signed title at the time of sale.
Can I sell a car with a salvage title in California?
Yes, but you must disclose the salvage status to the buyer. The vehicle cannot be legally driven until it passes a CHP inspection and brake/light certification. Selling a salvage vehicle without disclosure is illegal in California.
How do I sell a car that still has a loan on it?
The lender holds your title. Pay it off yourself, or sell to a dealer who handles the payoff directly. See the lien section above for the full process including negative equity situations.