REG 262 Form CA – Vehicle/Vessel Transfer & Reassignment PDF
The California REG 262 is the official form used to document the sale or transfer of a vehicle or vessel between a buyer and seller, record the federally required odometer disclosure, and when needed grant Power of Attorney to complete the transfer on someone’s behalf. It is not a title certificate; it must always be submitted together with the original signed title or a duplicate title application.
|
Form Number REG 262 |
Revision Date October 2011 |
Photocopies Not Accepted |
Online Filing Not Available |
What Is the REG 262 Form?
The REG 262, officially titled the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form, is a California DMV document that serves as a supplemental transfer instrument whenever a vehicle or vessel changes hands. While most private sales in California are recorded by the seller signing the back of the original pink slip (the certificate of title) over to the buyer, there are situations where the title doesn’t provide enough room for additional assignments and that’s precisely where this form comes in.
Think of it as a continuation sheet for ownership transfer. The form captures the same essential information that would appear on the back of the title: the vehicle’s identifying details, the names and signatures of all buyers and sellers, the sale price, the required federal odometer reading, and an optional Power of Attorney clause. Because it contains a legally binding odometer disclosure sworn under penalty of perjury, the CA DMV does not accept photocopied versions every copy submitted must be an original with original ink signatures from all parties.
This transfer form applies to both motor vehicles and vessels. If you are transferring a boat registered with the California DMV, you use the same form simply enter the CF number (the vessel’s registration number) in the license plate field in Section 1.
When Do You Need the REG 262?
Most straightforward private sales in California do not require this form at all the seller simply signs the back of the title over to the buyer. However, several specific situations make this form necessary or useful:
Title Has No Reassignment Space Left
When a vehicle has changed hands multiple times, the reassignment section on the back of the title may already be full. This document provides additional transfer space as a continuation sheet.
Dealer or Dismantler Reassignment
Licensed California dealers and dismantlers use this form when reassigning a vehicle to another dealer or to a buyer. Dismantlers are also required to enter their acquisition number in the designated field at the top of the form.
Power of Attorney Needed
When one party cannot be physically present to sign title documents, Section 5 allows them to appoint an attorney in fact to complete the transfer on their behalf.
Vessel Transfer
The form covers both vehicles and vessels registered with the CA DMV. Boat owners use the same transfer document when changing ownership, substituting the CF registration number for the license plate number.
Separate Odometer Disclosure Required
In transactions where the odometer disclosure cannot be completed on the title itself for example, when the odometer section on the title was previously completed this supplemental form provides a fresh, legally valid odometer disclosure statement.
Accompanying a Duplicate Title Application
When the original title has been lost and the seller applies for a duplicate, this ca reg 262 form is submitted alongside the duplicate title application to complete the transfer to the buyer.
What You Need to Complete the REG 262
Gather everything below before sitting down to fill out the form. Having it all on hand prevents errors, corrections, and the need to reprint.
📋 Original Vehicle Title (Pink Slip)
This transfer form must accompany the original signed title. If the title is lost, you will need to apply for a duplicate before or alongside it.
🪪 California Driver License or ID
Both buyer and seller must provide their DL/ID number in Section 4. Dealers and dismantlers enter their dealer or dismantler license number instead.
🔢 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Needed for Section 1. Find the VIN on the dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver’s door jamb sticker, or on the existing title.
🔑 Current Odometer Reading
Required by federal and state law. Record the mileage in whole miles (no tenths) at the time of transfer. Both buyer and seller certify this reading under penalty of perjury.
💰 Sale Price or Gift Value
The exact dollar amount paid for the vehicle is entered in Section 2. For gifts, the fair market value is entered in the Gift Value field instead of the selling price.
🏢 Acquisition Number (Dismantlers Only)
Licensed dismantlers must enter their acquisition number in the designated field at the top of the form. This field is left blank by private sellers and dealers.
⚙️ Motorcycle Engine Number
Required only for motorcycles. Enter the engine number stamped on the engine block in the corresponding field in Section 1.
⚖️ Power of Attorney Authorization
Only needed if completing Section 5. The person granting POA must sign in ink. No notarization is required for the Power of Attorney section, but the signature must be original.
How to Complete the REG 262 Form
The REG 262 is a single-page form with five clearly labeled sections. Complete it in blue or black ink, print all names legibly, and sign only in the spaces marked with an “X.” Do not use correction fluid if you make an error, print a fresh copy from dmv.ca.gov.
Section 1 Vehicle/Vessel Description
Enter the VIN (or hull number for vessels), year, make, model year, license plate number (or CF number for boats), and motorcycle engine number if applicable. Every field in this section must match the information on the title exactly a single digit wrong in the VIN will result in rejection. Double-check all characters carefully, particularly the letter “O” vs. the number “0” and the letter “I” vs. the number “1.”
Section 2 Bill of Sale
The seller prints their full legal name(s) in the first line and the buyer’s full legal name(s) in the second line. Enter the exact date of sale (month, day, year) and the selling price in U.S. dollars. If the vehicle was a gift rather than a sale, enter $0 in the selling price field and fill in the gift value separately, then indicate the relationship to the recipient (e.g., parent, spouse, sibling). Both amounts are used by the CA DMV to calculate use tax obligations.
Section 3 Odometer Disclosure Statement
Write the current odometer reading in whole miles no tenths. The form has separate digit boxes to help prevent ambiguity. If the reading is the actual mileage, no checkbox is needed. If the odometer is known to be inaccurate, check the appropriate box: “Odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage” or “Mileage EXCEEDS the odometer mechanical limits.” If you check either box, you must also write an explanation in the line provided. Never leave this section blank or alter the mileage once written doing so voids the form entirely and may constitute a federal offense.
Section 4 Buyer and Seller Signatures
This section is split into a Buyer’s Section and a Seller’s Section. Each section has three signature lines to accommodate up to three buyers or three sellers. Every person who is a buyer or seller must hand-print their full name, sign in ink, enter the date, and provide their California Driver License or ID number (dealers and dismantlers enter their license number). Buyers also provide a mailing address and daytime phone number. All signatures certify under penalty of perjury that the information on the form is true and correct this is a legally binding sworn statement.
Section 5 Power of Attorney
Only complete this section if one of the parties needs to authorize someone else to handle the title transfer paperwork on their behalf. The person granting the power of attorney prints their name(s) in the first line, prints the name of their appointed attorney in fact in the second line, and signs and dates the form in ink. There are two signature lines to accommodate joint owners. No notarization is required for the REG 262 POA original ink signature is sufficient. Leave Section 5 completely blank if no Power of Attorney is needed.
How to Submit the REG 262
This form is almost always submitted by the buyer, as part of the title transfer application after a vehicle purchase. It is not submitted on its own it must always accompany the signed title or a duplicate title application. Here are your submission options:
In-person at a CA DMV field office
Bring the completed form, the signed original title, proof of California insurance, payment for fees and applicable use tax, and a valid CA driver license or ID. Appointments are strongly recommended and can be made at dmv.ca.gov. Walk-in wait times at busy offices can exceed 90 minutes. California has more than 170 field office locations statewide.
By mail
Send the completed dmv form reg 262, the signed title, and a check or money order for all fees to your regional CA DMV office. Do not send cash by mail.
Through a Licensed Registration Service
licensed CA vehicle registration services (VRS) and dealerships can process the title transfer on your behalf for a service fee. This is a good option if you are uncertain about the paperwork or want faster processing without visiting a DMV office yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download This Form
|
Form Number |
REG 262 |
|
Revision |
October 2011 |
|
Sections |
5 Sections |
|
Signatures |
Ink Only |
|
Submit To |
CA DMV Office |
✅ Checklist Before You Submit
|
Original title included Signed pink slip or duplicate title application |
|
Original form — not a photocopy CA DMV rejects all photocopied versions |
|
VIN matches the title exactly Check every character, especially I vs 1, O vs 0 |
|
Odometer reading filled in Required by federal law — blank voids the form |
|
All parties signed in ink Every buyer and seller must hand-sign Section 4 |
|
No correction fluid used Any white-out voids the entire document |
|
Sale date recorded — within 10 days Late submissions incur a penalty fee |
|
DL/ID numbers entered for all parties Required in Section 4 for buyer and seller |
Other CA DMV Forms
|
REG 135 – Bill of Sale |