Transferring ownership of a car(from parents to myself) in California. Help on process?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dennitak
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dennitak

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Hi.
My parents are trying to switch the ownership of the car to me (in that way, it is easier for me to manage the car itself...)

What are the necessary steps I need to take in order to switch the ownership (title) from my parents to myself? The car that I am trying to switch ownership has already been paid off, has a Certificate of Title (pink slip), and the registration is current. Does anyone who has an experience on this?

Any detailed information would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
All they need to do is sign the back of the title as seller. You sign the title as buyer and take the document to the DMV for processing.

But first you need to check your local laws. If you claim the car was a gift you may have to pay taxes on the full market value of the car. Which you won't want to do. So you may have to claim you paid like $100 for the car and then pay taxes on the actual purchase price.

Aside from the tax issues all they have to do is sign over the title and the DMV will issue the new title in your name.
 
When I gave away my old car I put the value at $1.00 and ticked the box that said it was a gift. My friend only had to pay the regular registration fee. Mind you it was a 21 year old car. This was in Orange County CA.
 
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