California’s Department of Motor Vehicles now provides online access to buy and transfer ownership in a vehicle online. Here is a checklist of what you need to do:

• If it’s a private sale, review the title to make sure the seller and the owner are the same; if not, the seller must provide you with sufficient written and verifiable evidence that he or she has the owner’s direct authority to sell the vehicle. If not, wait until you received such verification before proceedings.
• The next step is to complete the title information form, including the odometer reading, signature of all parties, including any lienholder and the price paid. You will also need to separate and mail the release of liability section of the power of attorney,
• The online form requires that you provide the additional information:
  • Your Driver’s license
  • Your Vehicle License plate number
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Legal Owner and/or Lienholder name and address.
  • Vehicle make, model and year.
  • Purchase date and price.
• Make sure to verify the odometer’s accuracy, and state it on the title. The exception to this require is if the vehicle is at least ten years or old, commercial with a GVH or GCW of more than 16,000 pounds , or new and being transferred prior to the first retail sale of the vehicle.
• Follow the prompts on the California Department Motor of Vehicles to upload and process the change in ownership. Click here > DMV Virtual Office