Lost or damaged title
File a REG 227 as the registered owner. It can be used to release the car to a buyer while the duplicate is processed.
No title
Run by Hassan IlyasSouthern California car buyer · 109K+ YouTube views
Lost the pink slip? Let’s sort it out.
A missing title is one of the most common reasons a car sale stalls. Here is how to fix it in California, and how to get your offer while you do.
- Offer while you wait
- Free pickup
- No fees
- Paid at pickup
Run by Hassan IlyasSouthern California car buyer · 109K+ YouTube views
Get your cash offer
Takes about two minutes. Costs nothing.
Your details go to Carquired only. We never sell or share them.
- LookupPlate or VINWe pull the year, make, model and trim so you skip the typing.
- OfferA number in minutesBased on live market data for your exact car and miles.
- PickupFrom your drivewayHome, work, or wherever the car is parked. No trip to a lot.
- PaymentPaid on the spotSign the title, hand over the keys, get paid. That is it.
California titles
Why the title matters, and what to do without one.
In California the Certificate of Title, the pink slip, is the document that proves who owns the car. To sell, the owner signs it over to the buyer. Without it, a buyer cannot register the car, which is why most buyers will not pay full price without one.
If your title is lost, stolen or damaged, the fix is usually a duplicate. The registered owner fills in an Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title (REG 227) and submits it to the DMV with the fee. You can also use REG 227 to release ownership to a buyer at the same time, which can let a sale go ahead without waiting for the new pink slip to arrive in the mail.
If the car is financed, you do not have the title anyway, the lender does. That is not a "no title" problem. See selling a car with a loan.
Your situation
What to do for each no-title case.
Owner has passed away
If there is no probate, the heir can usually use the Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate (REG 5) along with the title or a REG 227.
Title in someone else’s name
The person on the title needs to sign it over. If you bought the car and never transferred it, that seller needs to sign, or you need a duplicate in their name.
Out-of-state title
We can still make an offer. Out-of-state titles are common here, especially for military families. Tell us the state on the form.
What we buy
We buy more than clean, paid-off cars.
Whatever shape your car is in, the form takes about two minutes. These pages explain how each situation works.
Questions
Good questions, straight answers.
Not seeing yours? Start the form anyway. A real person reviews every offer and will answer anything when they reach out.
Can I sell my car without a title in California?
You can get an offer and book a sale, but ownership has to be transferred with either the title or a REG 227 from the registered owner. We will tell you what your situation needs.
How long does a duplicate California title take?
It varies. Filing the REG 227 as part of the sale can mean you do not have to wait for the new title to arrive.
Do you buy junk cars without a title?
Tell us on the form. The same ownership rules apply to junk cars, but the paperwork is usually straightforward.
The car is in my late parent’s name. Can I sell it?
Usually yes, with the right DMV form. If there is no probate, that is often the REG 5 affidavit. We can walk you through it.
Areas we serve
Where we buy
Free pickup across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties.
Find out what your car is worth today.
Two minutes, your plate number, and you will know. No fees, no pressure, no obligation.
Hassan IlyasOwner, Carquired