Reviewed and updated October 12, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read from the California DMV's own pages that day, and the DMV page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
Two registration cases the California DMV handles under its special circumstances: converting a non-transferable registration, the kind issued to an out-of-state vehicle whose owner could not prove ownership, into normal registration and a California title; and re-establishing a vehicle that dropped out of the DMV's records after four or more years without registration, with and without its title. The third special circumstance, a deceased owner's DMV matters, is on the after a death guide; a title that is simply lost is replaced through the vehicle title guide.
In this guide: Non-transferable registration, Converting to a California title, What the conversion costs, Vehicles no longer in DMV records, With the title or the original registration card, Without the title, Title only, and when the fees are due, Questions about these registration cases in California
Non-transferable registration
Non-transferable registration is issued to an out-of-state vehicle when its owner cannot show proof of ownership, per the DMV's non-transferable registration conversion page. The vehicle cannot be sold, transferred or issued a California Certificate of Title until specific conditions are met; once they are, the registration converts to normal registration. The DMV says an owner who decides to sell or dispose of a vehicle that carries non-transferable registration must contact the state where the vehicle was last titled and apply for a replacement title; when that state cannot issue one, a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) may be required, and the DMV asks owners to call 1-800-777-0133 or visit an office for help.
Converting to a California title
The conversion is done in person at a DMV office, listed on the California DMV offices list. An owner whose name is on the non-transferable registration card needs the last-issued title, California or out-of-state; when the vehicle was titled in California, left the state and was registered elsewhere without being issued a title there, the previous California title serves. Someone who is not the owner on the card needs an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), the last-issued California or out-of-state title signed by the owners whose printed names appear on it and listing the new owner, and bills of sale for the complete chain of ownership when the vehicle was bought from someone other than the owner on the title. A lienholder shown on the title who does not sign it must provide a lien satisfied statement. The DMV says the application might also need the last non-transferable registration card, an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227), bills of sale, a smog certification, an odometer disclosure, a motor vehicle bond and renewal fees.
What the conversion costs
When your name is on the non-transferable registration certificate, the DMV charges no fee to issue the California title. The fees that can apply: a transfer fee when a registered owner or lienholder is added or removed, $15 on the DMV's registration fees page; renewal fees when the application is submitted within 30 days of the registration expiration date; parking fees when the record carries parking tickets, paid to the DMV or cleared through the issuing agency; a smog certification with a renewal or transfer; an odometer disclosure on a transfer of a vehicle under 10 model years old; and a REG 5057 bond when ownership documents cannot be shown. Renewal, smog and the title transfer itself are on the registration renewal guide, the smog check guide and the vehicle title guide.
Vehicles no longer in DMV records
A vehicle titled in California that has not been registered for four years or more may no longer have a digital record at the DMV, per the DMV's vehicles no longer in DMV records page, and the owner must re-establish the record even while holding DMV-issued paper documents. The path depends on whether the California Certificate of Title or the original expired registration card, not a photocopy, is still in hand.
With the title or the original registration card
The DMV lists a completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343); a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) completed by an authorized DMV employee or a peace officer; the California Certificate of Title or the registration card, with a REG 227 when the title is missing and the title properly endorsed for transfer when the applicant is not the owner named on it; a Certificate of Non-Operation/Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102) or a Statement of Facts (REG 256) certifying that the vehicle was not operated; the odometer disclosure on a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment form (REG 262) for a motor vehicle under 10 model years old, a form mailed on request at 1-800-777-0133 because it is printed on security paper; a weight certificate for a commercial vehicle under 10,001 pounds unladen, or a REG 256 from the owner certifying the weight has not changed; and a REG 256 certifying the estimated weight for a vehicle of 10,001 pounds or more or a permanent trailer identification trailer.
Without the title
Without a California title or an expired registration card, or with only a photocopy of the card, the DMV requires a completed Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) with an original registration card, and a notarized Legal Owner/Title Holder Release (REG 166) when the card shows a lienholder; a REG 343 with its cost information section completed with the purchase price, which sets the vehicle license fee classification; a REG 31 completed by a DMV employee or any peace officer; a Statement of Facts (REG 256) stating how, when and from whom the vehicle was acquired, the efforts made to get evidence of ownership and why they failed, and the vehicle's current value; a weight certificate for a commercial vehicle under 10,001 pounds unladen, or a REG 256 estimating the weight for a heavier vehicle or a PTI trailer; a REG 102 or REG 256 stating the vehicle will not be operated; the REG 262 odometer statement for a motor vehicle under 10 model years old; and, when the vehicle is valued at $5,000 or more, possibly a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057). The DMV says some cases also need a smog certification based on the model year, the license plates from the vehicle, a Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008) for a commercial motor vehicle, with pickups of 8,000 pounds unladen or less, 11,499 pounds rated or less and under nine feet exempt, and a Permanent Trailer Identification Certification (REG 4017) for a PTI trailer whose owner wants a title.
Title only, and when the fees are due
An owner who does not plan to operate the vehicle but wants a Certificate of Title in their name applies for title only with a REG 256 and a REG 102; the DMV's fee schedule lists title only at $28 under Vehicle Code section 9254. Otherwise, the DMV says fees are due from the first time the vehicle is driven and must be paid before it is operated; the amount, except for a PTI trailer, depends on the vehicle's cost, the county of residence and the type of vehicle, and can be estimated at the time of application or with the DMV's online vehicle license fee calculator, which the California DMV fees page describes. A vehicle never registered in California that registers late pays the penalties on the DMV's penalties page: 40 percent of the vehicle license and weight fees within the first year, 80 percent up to two years and 160 percent beyond.
Questions about these registration cases in California
What is non-transferable registration?
Registration the DMV issues to an out-of-state vehicle whose owner cannot show proof of ownership. The vehicle cannot be sold, transferred or issued a California title until the conditions are met; then the registration converts to normal registration.
Is there a fee to convert it?
No fee for the title itself when your name is on the non-transferable registration card, per the DMV, though a transfer fee applies when an owner or lienholder is added or removed, renewal fees apply within 30 days of the expiration date, parking fees on the record must be paid, and a smog certification, an odometer disclosure or a bond may be required.
What if the other state cannot replace the title?
A Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) may be required, per the DMV, which says to call 1-800-777-0133 or visit an office for help.
Why does the DMV say it has no record of my car?
Because a California-titled vehicle that has not been registered for four years or more may no longer have a digital record. The DMV says the record must be re-established even when you still hold the paper documents.
What do I need if I have the old title?
A REG 343, a REG 31 verification by a DMV employee or peace officer, the title or the original expired registration card, a REG 102 or REG 256 certifying the vehicle was not operated, an odometer disclosure on a REG 262 for a vehicle under 10 model years old, and a weight certificate or weight statement for a commercial vehicle.
And without the title?
A REG 227 with the original registration card, a notarized REG 166 if the card shows a lienholder, a REG 343 with the purchase price, a REG 31, a REG 256 explaining how the vehicle was acquired and why ownership evidence could not be found, a weight certificate or statement for a commercial vehicle, a non-operation certification, the REG 262 odometer statement, and a REG 5057 bond when the vehicle is worth $5,000 or more.
Can I get a title without driving the car?
Yes. The DMV issues a title only, on a REG 256 and a REG 102, for an owner who does not plan to operate the vehicle; the fee schedule lists title only at $28.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the California DMV's non-transferable registration conversion page, vehicles no longer in DMV records page, registration fees page and penalties page, read on October 12, 2026.