How to Complete Form REG 227: A Step-by-Step Guide

I deal with title transfers every single week at GoCarBuyer. Most people landing on this page are either selling a car without a title, buying one from a private party, or trying to figure out why the DMV is asking for this form in the first place. My name is Sonny Miller — I’ve been buying cars across Southern California for over 20 years, and I’ve filled out more REG 227s than I can count.

So let me walk you through it step by step. If you follow this guide, you won’t end up back at the DMV twice. And if you’d rather skip the paperwork entirely and just sell your car to me, call (714) 900-3723 — I bring all the forms and handle everything on the spot.

What Is Form REG 227?

Form REG 227 is the California DMV’s Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title. You’ll need it in three situations:

If you’re trying to sell your car without a title, this is one of the forms that makes it possible. And if you’re dealing with a salvage title situation, you may need this form along with several others.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you sit down to fill this out, make sure you have everything in front of you. Going to the DMV without the right documents is how people end up making two trips instead of one. Here’s what you need:

1. Your vehicle’s license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
2. The legal owner’s information — that’s the bank or finance company if there’s still a loan on the car.
3. Your California driver’s license or ID card.
4. Proof of ownership documents like a bill of sale or lien release, if you have them.
5. A printer and a pen — this form has to be signed in ink, not electronically.
6. The fee for a duplicate title or transfer — check the California DMV website for current amounts.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form REG 227

Step 1: Download Form REG 227

Go to the California DMV website and download Form REG 227 directly. Print it out — you can’t fill this one out online and submit it digitally.

Step 2: Section 1 — Vehicle Information

This is the basic info about the car itself:

• License Plate Number: The current plate number on the vehicle.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): You’ll find this on your registration card, on the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side, or on the sticker inside the driver’s door frame.
• Year and Make: The year and manufacturer of the vehicle — for example, 2015 Toyota.
• Motorcycle Engine Number: Only fill this in if you’re dealing with a motorcycle.

Step 3: Section 2 — Registered Owner Information

This section is about you — the person whose name is on the registration:

• Name: Your full legal name exactly as it appears on the vehicle’s registration. Don’t use nicknames.
• Address: Your current mailing address.
• Driver’s License or ID Number: Your California driver’s license or state ID number.

If there are co-owners on the registration, they need to provide their info here too. Both names have to be on the form.

Step 4: Section 3 — Legal Owner Information

This section only applies if there’s a lienholder — meaning a bank or finance company still has a loan on the car:

• Legal Owner’s Name: The name of the bank or finance company.
• Address: Their mailing address.

If the car is paid off and there’s no lien, just mark the box that says the vehicle is owned free and clear. If you’re not sure whether there’s still a lien, you can check with a third-party DMV service or pull a vehicle history report.

Step 5: Section 4 — Duplicate Title Requested

Check the box that matches your situation. The options are:

• Lost Title: You had it and can’t find it. This is the most common reason.
• Stolen Title: Someone took it.
• Mutilated Title: It got damaged — water, ripped, whatever — and it’s not usable anymore.
• Illegible Title: You can’t read it. The ink faded or it got smeared.

If the title is damaged or unreadable, attach it to your application. Don’t throw it away — the DMV wants to see it even if it’s in bad shape.

Step 6: Section 5 — Transfer of Ownership

If you’re selling the car or giving it to someone, this is the section that makes it official:

• New Owner Information: The full name and address of the person or business getting the vehicle.
• Date of Sale: The date the sale or transfer happened.
• Odometer Reading: The current mileage on the car at the time of transfer. This is required for vehicles under 10 years old.

Both the buyer and the seller have to sign this section. If either signature is missing, the DMV will reject the form and you’ll have to do it again.

Now let’s continue with the second part of the form — this is the section that the new owner and the lienholder deal with.

Step 7: Section 6 — Legal Owner/Lienholder’s Release

If there’s a bank or finance company on the title, they have to sign off here to release their interest in the car. This is basically the bank saying “we’ve been paid, the loan is done, and we no longer have a claim on this vehicle.”

• Name of Legal Owner: The bank or finance company name.
• Signature of Authorized Representative: Someone from the bank has to sign this. You can’t sign it for them.

Step 8: Section 7 — Registered Owner’s Certification

This is where you certify that everything on the form is true and accurate:

If there are co-owners, both people have to sign. Missing a signature is one of the most common reasons the DMV sends people back.

Step 9: Section 8 — For DMV Use Only

Don’t write anything in this section. It’s reserved for DMV staff. Just leave it blank.

Step 10: Attach Supporting Documents

Depending on your situation, you may need to include extra documents with the form:

• A lien release from the bank or finance company, if there was a loan.
• A bill of sale or transfer agreement.
• The damaged or illegible title, if that’s why you’re applying.
• Any other proof of ownership the DMV has requested.

Keep copies of everything before you submit. If something gets lost in the mail or the DMV misplaces a document, you want to be able to provide it again without starting over.

Step 11: Pay the Required Fees

Check the California DMV website for current fees. Duplicate title and transfer fees change, so don’t assume last year’s number is still right. You can usually pay by check, money order, or credit card depending on whether you go in person or submit by mail.

Step 12: Submit the Application

You’ve got three options for submitting the form:

1. In Person: Walk into your local DMV office with the completed form, supporting documents, and payment. I’d strongly recommend making an appointment — walk-ins can take hours.
2. By Mail: Send the completed form and payment to the address printed on the form. This takes longer but you avoid the DMV line.
3. Through a Licensed DMV Service Provider: Third-party registration services can process the form for you, usually for an extra fee. If you’ve got a good DMV service person — and I recommend everyone have one — this is the easiest route.

Common Mistakes That Get Your Form Rejected

I see these all the time. People fill out the form, go to the DMV, wait in line, and then get turned away because of something small. Here’s what to watch for:

Your signature doesn’t match the name you wrote in Section 2. If your registration says “Michael” and you sign “Mike,” the DMV can reject it. Use your full legal name everywhere.

You forgot to get the other person’s signature. If there are co-owners or if you’re doing a transfer, both parties have to sign. One missing signature means one more trip to the DMV.

You didn’t attach the damaged title. If you checked “mutilated” or “illegible,” the DMV expects to see it. Bring it even if it’s in terrible shape.

The VIN is wrong. Double-check this number against your registration card. One wrong digit and the whole form is invalid.

Don’t Forget the Release of Liability

If you’re selling the car, do yourself a favor and file a Notice of Release of Liability with the California DMV the same day. You can do it online at DMV.ca.gov. This protects you from parking tickets, towing fees, and even hit-and-run reports that can come back to you if the buyer never registers the car in their name. I’ve seen it happen too many times — don’t skip this step.

Don’t Want to Deal With Any of This? Call Me.

Look — I get it. The DMV is a headache. The forms, the lines, the fees, the possibility of getting rejected and having to come back. If you’re filling out REG 227 because you’re trying to sell a car and you don’t have the title, here’s the easiest option: call me.

I buy cars without titles all the time. I bring the proper paperwork, I handle the entire transfer, and you get paid cash on the spot — the same day. Save DMV trip. No forms. No stress. I work 7 days a week across all of Southern California and I come to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Form REG 227 to sell my car without a title?

If you’re selling private party and the title is lost, yes — you’ll need REG 227 to get a duplicate title or to transfer ownership without the original. But if you sell to a licensed dealer like GoCarBuyer, I handle all of this paperwork for you.

Can I submit Form REG 227 online?

No. As of now, this form has to be printed, filled out by hand, signed in ink, and submitted either in person, by mail, or through a licensed DMV service provider.

What if there’s still a loan on the car?

You’ll need the lienholder — the bank or finance company — to sign Section 6 releasing their interest. You can’t complete the transfer without their signature.

How long does it take to get a duplicate title?

If you submit in person, you can sometimes get it the same day or within a few weeks by mail. If you submit by mail, expect 4 to 6 weeks. A third-party DMV service can sometimes speed things up.

What if the car has a salvage title?

If the car has been in an accident and declared a total loss, there’s a whole separate process involving brake and light inspections, smog checks, and VIN verification. We wrote a full guide on that here: salvage title in California.

What’s the fee for a duplicate title in California?

Fees change, so check the California DMV website for the most current amount. As of my last check it was around $23, but that can vary depending on your situation.

Ready to Sell? Skip the Paperwork.

I am not a corporate robot. I operate as a family at GoCarBuyer. Whether you have the title or not, I make selling your car simple. See what other sellers say on our customer reviews page.

Sonny Miller — (714) 900-3723
GoCarBuyer.com
Cypress Office: 10601 Walker St Suite 102, Cypress, CA 90630
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