Filing requirements
What Florida and California need for every deal
Required documents, official forms and deadlines for out-of-state dealers selling to Florida and California buyers.
Filed with the California DMV (field office or a DMV business partner).
Required documents
- REG 343 application for title or registration
- Out-of-state title with the dealer's section signed, or a bill of sale (REG 135) if there's no title
- REG 31 VIN check, done by a DMV employee, licensed verifier, auto club employee or trained police officer (not the buyer)
- Smog certificate for most gas cars (electric cars are exempt)
- Last out-of-state registration card
- Buyer's driver license number
- REG 262 for odometer and transfer details when the title lacks them (special DMV paper)
- REG 256 statement of facts for use-tax or name questions; REG 166 loan release if a lien was paid off
Timelines
- Within 5 days: The seller reports the sale
- Within 10 days: The buyer transfers the title
- Within 20 days: A car brought in from another state must be registered, or penalties start
- 30 days: One-time temporary operating permit while paperwork is finished
- About 60–90 days: The California title arrives by mail
Official forms
- REG 343Application for Title or RegistrationBlank form
- REG 31Verification of VehicleBlank form
- REG 262Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and ReassignmentBlank form
- REG 135Bill of SaleBlank form
- REG 256Statement of FactsBlank form
Good to know
- • 49-state (non-California emissions) cars with under 7,500 miles generally can't be registered without an exemption.
- • Use tax is charged at the buyer's local rate on the full price; trade-ins don't lower it.
- • Tax already paid to another state counts toward the California amount.
Rules change. Always confirm with CA DMV and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.