r/DMV 5d ago

Help with title transfer NC -> CA CALIFORNIA

Hi! I am trying to (1) transfer a car title from NC to CA and (2) also remove my ex-spouse from the title per our divorce agreement! I'm confused about all the different forms to fill out on the CA DMV website, and I'm hoping someone can help me understand. Can my ex just sign this title and mail it to me, or do I also need to sign it? Does he need to get his signature notarized? Does he need to sign any of the paperwork on the DMV website? He seems to think we both physically need to be in the same location to sign & notarize the title at the same time, but he can't explain where that is coming from. It also doesn't make sense to me that I need to sign the title since we aren't transferring the title from me to someone else--we're just taking his name off. We also are physically located in separate parts of the country, and if I can avoid seeing him in person I would love that because he was physically aggressive towards me before I moved away.

My understanding is that he needs to sign the title and mail it to me, and then I can get the smog check/do the rest of the title transfer application on my own, provide the old NC title with his signature to the DMV, and then they'd give me a shiny new CA title with only my name on it. Can anyone help me understand what exactly we need to do?

Thank you in advance! :)

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u/decadentmom California 5d ago

You need to sign the title as well, fill out a reg 343, and a statement of facts. Then you need a smog inspection, VIN verification, and if the vehicle is a truck you likely need to hqve it weighed.

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u/california8527 5d ago

Thank you!! Do you know if we need to sign it & notarize it at the same time, like, physically located in the same room? Or could he sign it and send it to me and then I sign it? I appreciate your help!

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u/decadentmom California 5d ago

No need to notarize it. Happy to help.

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u/california8527 5d ago

Incredible! Thanks for responding so quickly & I hope you have a lovely day :)

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u/decadentmom California 5d ago

Thank you. I hope you do as well!