Does the vehicle that you purchased have a California title? If so, read on, this article will help you ensure that it is signed over, or "assigned," to you properly.
Title assignment can be complex. To fully understand the process, we strongly recommend consulting our Prior Title Assignment Guide alongside this one.
This is a guide for clients that have hired visitor.us to register a California-titled vehicle for them in Montana.
If you are not a visitor.us client, please consult the State of California's DMV website.
Before you write on any title
Write-overs, cross-outs, and white-outs may create the need for additional paperwork, delays and fees. Write on titles only after practicing on a separate piece of paper.
While it's important to be careful when writing on a title, mistakes sometimes happen.
If you make a mistake on a title, these are the steps that can be taken to correct an error.
The California Vehicle Title
Below is an example of a California vehicle title document (with some fields blurred out):
Front
Rear
The front of the title
Line 1a / 1b
The registered owner listed on the title must sign and date line 1a to release (or give up) ownership interest in the vehicle.
If two registered owners are listed on the title, the second owner must sign and date line 1b to release ownership interest in the vehicle.
Odometer disclosure
If the vehicle is 2011 and newer (and is not a trailer), the seller must write the current odometer reading in the area marked in red, and the seller must sign, date, and write his/her name in the area marked in blue.
The seller should write his or her name exactly as it appears on the title.
If the vehicle is 2010 and older, these fields can be left blank.
Your name, signature, and date
Regardless of the vehicle's age, you must sign, date, and write your name in the area marked in green.
You should write your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
Lien release
A lien is a loan against a vehicle, and the lender is called the lienholder. If there is a loan against the vehicle, its lienholder will be listed here:
This title's lienholder section is blank - the vehicle does not have any loans against it.
If a lienholder is listed, the lienholder's representative must sign Line 2 in order for the vehicle's ownership to be transferred.
Title assignment complete
If you buy your vehicle directly from the registered owner, title assignment is now complete. The rear of the title should be left blank.
The rear of the title: leave it blank, unless you are buying from a dealer
Section: New Registered Owner
The top portion of the rear of the title, labeled "New Registered Owner" serves as the application for a California registration.
If you have hired visitor.us, we will register your vehicle in Montana, so you can leave this portion of the title blank.
Section: Leased Vehicles Only
Next comes the section for leased vehicles - this is not applicable, leave it blank.
Section: New Lienholder
A lien is a loan against a vehicle, and the lender is called the lienholder. Leave this section blank.
Section: Dealer Transactions Only
If you buy your vehicle from a dealership, the dealer will use this section to assign the vehicle to you. Only licensed auto dealers can use this section. Sign, date, and write your name where the dealer instructs.
Next Steps
When your California title assignment is complete, send the authentic, assigned title document to visitor.us for registration by following these steps.