How To Register An Inherited Vehicle In California

Access california dmv s portal for vehicle registration to register a new vehicle renew your registration replace your registration card pay fees and more.

How to register an inherited vehicle in california. Late vehicle registration fees. Transfers into california for vehicles owned by dealers need to be reviewed and handled directly by the california dmv. Once a vehicle owner has passed away the process for transferring the car title of the deceased person varies depending on whether the vehicle title was in the individual s name as a decedent or whether it was in a joint ownership. You have 10 days to register a vehicle in california after you purchase it from a private party or you must pay late fees. If the deceased left a will designating an executor or if an administrator has been appointed by the court the existing certificate of title must be signed by this person in order to change the vehicle ownership record to reflect the new owner.

You can contact them at 1 800 777 0133. Vehicles vessels titled in another state must be transferred in that state requirements may differ from california. If you got the car as part of a divorce inheritance or legal settlement you ll be able to register the car. If the vehicle has a title with your father s name as the owner this is considered a private person to person transfer which you can complete with etags online at https www. It might be easier to register the car in your name even if you don t intend to keep the car in the long term.

Smog inspections are required when you register or renew registration for a vehicle in california but there are some exceptions. 40 days have lapsed since the registered or legal owner s date of death. If your california registered vehicle was stolen or wrecked out of state and you bought a 49 state car to replace it you can register it. How do i title and register a vehicle that i inherited. If owned jointly by two or more decedents an original or certified copy of each owner s death certificate and a reg 5 for the most recent decedent.

Vehicles must be registered in california within 20 days after you establish residency or you will be subject to late fees determined by the duration of delinquency. Dealerships out of state vehicles inherited and gifted vehicles it s important to alert the ca dmv when a title transfers within 5 10 days of receiving the car. If the title was only in the decedent s name you ll need to determine if the estate is being probated. She had no other assets and there is no contention i have paid all her bills and funeral expenses of about 800 00 dollars a lawyer would cost more than the car is worth.