Lost car title in California: how to replace it, and what to do if you are selling
A lost, stolen or damaged title can be replaced with one DMV form. Here is who applies, whether a lienholder gets involved, how long it takes, and your options when a sale is waiting.
General information based on official DMV and DOJ sources, not legal advice.
All guidesLast reviewed: October 2026. Registration Leaders is a private business, not the California DMV or any government agency. This guide is general information based on DMV publications; check with the DMV for your exact fees and forms.
The short answer
If your California title is lost, stolen or damaged, the registered owner can ask the DMV for a replacement using the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title, form REG 227. You can submit it in person at a DMV office or by mail. The DMV says titles usually arrive by mail within 15 to 30 days, so start before you plan to sell or transfer the vehicle.
Step by step
- Check your registration card. If it says "Nontransferable/No California Title Issued," the DMV has no California title to replace. Per the DMV, you must get the title from the state where the vehicle was last titled.
- Find out whether a lienholder is listed. A loan lender is called the legal owner or lienholder. If one is listed, the DMV says section 5 of the REG 227 needs to be notarized, and your lender may need to be involved. If no lienholder is listed, notarization is not required.
- Complete the REG 227. Use the form's instructions for the vehicle information, your name and address, and the statement explaining what happened to the title.
- Pay the fee. The DMV says the fee varies, so use its fee calculator to confirm the amount for your situation.
- Submit it. Bring it to a DMV office or mail it to DMV, PO Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269.
- Wait for the mail. The new title is mailed. Do not sign it over until you have it in hand and the buyer is ready.
What to have ready
- Your license plate number and VIN
- Your driver's license or ID
- The completed REG 227, with section 5 notarized if there is a lienholder
- Payment for the DMV fee
- The lienholder's name and account details, if you still owe on the vehicle
Selling or gifting a car with a lost title
A buyer cannot complete a normal transfer without the title, so the cleanest path is to get the replacement first and then sign it over. Plan for the mail time, and remember that California gives a buyer a limited window to report a transfer after the sale. Our title transfer guide covers the seller's release of liability and the deadlines.
If you cannot wait or cannot get a title, ask the DMV or a registration service which options apply before you commit to a date with the other party.
If you just bought the car and the seller lost the title
Do not pay in full without a title or a clear plan to get one. The seller, as the registered owner, is the one who applies for the replacement. A vehicle history report can also show whether a lien or a title brand is on record before you buy.
Official sources
- Official source: California DMV, Title Transfers and Changes (replacement title, REG 227)
- Official source: California DMV, Fee Calculator
Want us to check your paperwork first?
Registration Leaders is a private business contracted through the DMV Business Partner Automation program, not the DMV. When you book a title transfer in Citrus Heights, tell us the title is lost and we will go over your paperwork list so you know what is needed before you go further. Our service fees are on the pricing page; DMV fees are paid in addition to our service fee, and sales tax is collected on service fees. Or book an appointment.
Frequently asked questions.
How do I replace a lost car title in California?
Complete the DMV's Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (form REG 227) and submit it in person at a DMV office or by mail to DMV, PO Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269. The DMV says titles usually arrive by mail within 15 to 30 days.
Can I sell a car if I lost the title?
The buyer needs a title to transfer ownership, so the usual route is to get the replacement title first. If you cannot, ask the DMV or a registration service which transfer options apply to your situation before you agree to a sale date.
What if I still owe money on the car?
If a lienholder (legal owner) is listed on the registration, the DMV says section 5 of the REG 227 needs to be notarized. Contact your lender early, since they may hold the title or handle the request.
My registration card says Nontransferable. Can the DMV replace the title?
Not if the card says "Nontransferable/No California Title Issued." In that case the DMV says you must get the title from the state where the vehicle was last titled.
How much does a replacement title cost?
The DMV says the fee varies by transfer type and points to its fee calculator. We do not list a DMV amount here because it can change. Our own service fees are on the pricing page.
Ready to get it done?
Walk-ins and appointments welcome, Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm, Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Call first; we confirm booked times by text or email.