REG 101 Form CA – DMV Ownership & Error Statement PDF

The REG 101 is a dual-purpose California DMV form. Its first section, the Statement to Record Ownership, documents the registered owner, co-owner, lien holder, purchase price, and address for a vehicle being titled. Its second section, the Statement of Error or Erasure, corrects names that were mistakenly placed on or removed from a California Certificate of Title.

2 sections · dual purpose Revised March 2007 Signed under penalty of perjury Print or typewrite required

Form Number

REG 101

Revision Date

March 2007

Submission

In-Person / Mail

Online Filing

Not Available

What Is the REG 101 Form?

The REG 101 is a California Department of Motor Vehicles form that serves two distinct legal purposes on a single document. The upper portion is the Statement to Record Ownership, which establishes or transfers the official registered owner record for a vehicle or vessel in California. The lower portion is the Statement of Error or Erasure, which provides a sworn correction when a name was incorrectly added to or removed from a California Certificate of Title or ownership document.

Depending on which section you need, this CA REG 101 may be used during an initial vehicle purchase, a private-party transfer, a title correction after a clerical error, or when updating lien holder information. Because both sections are signed under penalty of perjury under California law, accuracy in every field is essential before submission.

For vessels, the form also captures the location where the vessel is principally kept, and for leased vehicles, the lessee’s address if it differs from the registered owner’s address. These additional fields appear in a checkbox row at the bottom of the ownership section.

Statement to Record Ownership vs. Statement of Error or Erasure

This document contains two legally distinct statements that look similar but serve entirely different functions. Using the wrong section will result in the DMV rejecting the submission.

📝 Statement to Record Ownership

Used to formally establish who owns a vehicle or vessel in California. Captures registered owner(s), lien holder, purchase date, purchase price, driver license numbers, and address. Used during titling, transfers, and when recording new ownership after a vehicle purchase.

✏️ Statement of Error or Erasure

Used to correct a name that was incorrectly placed on or removed from a California title. Identifies the specific line where the error occurred and certifies that the name has no bearing on actual vehicle ownership. Signed under penalty of perjury.

How to Complete the REG 101 Form

Both sections of the California DMV form require printing or typewriting. Cursive handwriting is not acceptable. Names must appear exactly as they are shown on each person’s California Driver License or ID Card.

Vehicle

Vehicle or Vessel Identification

At the top of the form, enter the vehicle license plate number or vessel CF number, the full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or hull identification number, and the make of the vehicle or vessel builder. This information must match exactly what appears on the supporting title or ownership documents.

Part 1A

Registered Owner(s) Information

Print the registered owner’s full legal name in the Last, First, Middle format, exactly as it appears on their California Driver License or ID Card. Include the California driver license or ID card number for each owner listed. Up to three owners may be listed, with an AND or OR checkbox to indicate joint ownership structure.

Also enter the physical residence or business address, city, state, and ZIP code, as well as the purchase date and purchase price of the vehicle. These are used to calculate any use tax owed to California.

Part 1B

Lien Holder Information

If the vehicle has a lien — for example, a bank or credit union that financed the purchase — enter the lien holder’s full legal name, address, city, state, and ZIP code. If there is no lien, write the word NONE in the Name of Lien Holder field. This field must never be left blank, as the DMV uses it to determine whether an encumbrance exists on the title.

Part 1C

Leased Vehicles and Vessel Location

The checkbox row at the bottom of the Statement to Record Ownership section addresses two special cases. If the vehicle is leased, check the first box and enter the lessee’s address if it differs from the address provided above. If the registration is for a vessel, check the second box and provide the address or specific location where the vessel is principally kept, such as a marina or storage facility.

Part 2

Statement of Error or Erasure

This section appears on the bottom half of the REG101 DMV CA form and has its own vehicle identification fields. If you are correcting a title error rather than recording ownership, fill in the vehicle plate or CF number, VIN, and make at the top of this section. Then identify the specific line number on the Certificate of Title where the error appears. In the Reasons for Error Erasure field, provide a clear explanation of what the error was and why the name in question does not reflect actual ownership. Sign under penalty of perjury and provide your address and daytime telephone number.

When Is the REG 101 Required?

This CA DMV form is used in a variety of California titling and ownership scenarios. Understanding which situation applies to you determines which section you need to complete.

🚗 Titling a Newly Purchased Vehicle

Submitted alongside a California title application when the buyer needs to formally establish their name as the registered owner with purchase price and lien information.

🔄 Private-Party Vehicle Transfer

Used when a vehicle changes hands between private individuals and the seller’s title needs to be accompanied by a formal statement recording the new owner’s information.

⚠️ Correcting a Title Name Error

When a name is misspelled, incorrectly added, or incorrectly erased from a California Certificate of Title, the Statement of Error or Erasure section corrects the record.

⛵ Vessel Ownership Registration

Boats and personal watercraft registered in California use this form to record the vessel owner’s information and the location where the vessel is primarily stored.

🏦 Recording or Releasing a Lien

Lien holder information is captured in the Statement to Record Ownership, ensuring the title correctly reflects any financing arrangements at the time of initial titling.

🔑 Leased Vehicle Titling

It accommodates leased vehicles by providing a dedicated checkbox and address field for the lessee’s information separate from the registered owner’s address.

Frequently Asked Questions

The CA DMV 101 form has two purposes. The Statement to Record Ownership section formally establishes or transfers California vehicle or vessel ownership on a DMV title, capturing owner names, purchase information, and lien details. The Statement of Error or Erasure section corrects a name that was mistakenly placed on or removed from a California Certificate of Title.

When two or more people are listed as co-owners on this form, choosing AND means all owners must sign any future title transfer documents together. Choosing OR means that either owner may sign independently. The selection is permanent on that title and affects how easily the vehicle can be sold or transferred in the future.

A bill of sale documents the transaction between buyer and seller, but it does not formally record ownership in the California DMV system. The CA Statement to Record Ownership, submitted along with the vehicle title application, is what officially establishes the new owner of record with the California DMV.

If a name appearing on your California Certificate of Title contains an error — including a misspelling, an incorrect name added in error, or a name erased by mistake — you would use the Statement of Error or Erasure section of this form to correct it. You must identify the line number of the error, explain the reason for the correction, and sign under penalty of perjury.

Yes. The REG 101 California DMV Statement to Record Ownership applies to both vehicles and vessels registered in California. For vessels, you will also need to enter the hull identification number in the VIN field and provide the location where the vessel is principally kept in the checkbox section at the bottom of Part 1.

Download This Form

Download REG 101 PDF 📋 How to Complete

Form Number

DMV REG 101

Issuing Agency

CA DMV

Revision Date

March 2007

Submission

In-Person / Mail

Processing Time

Title Transfer (Online)

~4 weeks

Replacement Title (Online)

2–3 weeks

Rush Title (Mail)

+$15 fee

Standard Mail

Longer

Times are estimates per CA DMV. Some submissions require additional review and may take longer. Check current times →

Other CA DMV Forms

REG 262 – Transfer Form

REG 227 – Duplicate Title

REG 156 Replace lost plates or stickers

DL 44 – Driver License App

REG 31 VIN Verification Form