Convert From Nontransferable Registration
You Always Need...
- Proof of Ownership (such as the last-issued California or out-of-state title)
You Sometimes Need...
- Last Issued California Nontransferable Registration Card
- Application for Title or Registration (REG 343)
- Bill(s) of Sale
- Renewal Fees
- Smog Certification
- Odometer Disclosure
- Motor Vehicle Bond
What Makes a Vehicle Nontransferable?
Nontransferable registration is issued to an out-of-state vehicle when the vehicle's registered owner(s) wishes to register the vehicle in California, but is unable to submit documents showing that he/she owns (holds title to) the vehicle.
Vehicles with nontransferable registration cannot be sold, transferred, or issued a California Certificate of Title until specific conditions outlined here are met.
The terms "nontransferable" and "not transferable," as used by DMV, are used interchangeably.
A sample of the nontransferable registration card is shown below.
How To Get a California Title on a
Nontransferable Vehicle
If You Are the Owner Shown on the Nontransferable Registration
You must submit the following:
- Last issued title (out-of-state or California). A California title can be the last issued title when a vehicle was titled in this state, left California and was registered in another state with no title issued by that state.
- Current California nontransferable registration card, if available.
If You Are Not the Owner Shown on the Nontransferable Registration
You must submit the following items:
- Application for Registration (REG 343) completed and signed.
- Last issued California or out-of-state title signed by the owner(s) whose printed name(s) appear(s) on the title and showing you as the new owner(s).
- Bill(s) of sale showing the complete change of ownership, if you purchased the vehicle from someone other than the owner(s) printed on the title.
NOTE: If a legal owner or lienholder shown
on the title did not sign the title to release
interest in the vehicle, you must obtain a "lien
satisfied" statement from that lienholder.
Fees or Other Documents Required
No fee is required to acquire California title on a nontransferable vehicle if you are the person shown on the nontransferable registration. However:
- A transfer fee will be required if a registered owner is being added or deleted, a lienholder is being removed, or any other addition or deletion is being made.
- Renewal fees will be due if the application is presented within 30 days of the registration expiration date.
- When parking citations are shown on the vehicle record, the parking fees must be paid with the renewal fees.
- Smog certification may be required with renewal or transfer.
- Odometer disclosure may be required if the vehicle is less than 10 model years old and you are purchasing the vehicle.
- A motor vehicle bond may be required if you do not submit proper documentation showing your ownership of the vehicle.


