Selling a car registered in California out of state

[novanutcase]

I tried to search for the answer to my question and, even though a lot of threads came up about selling a car out of state, none specifically were able to answer my question.

I've sold my '03 GT to a soldier stationed in Arizona. I've filled out the Notice of Transfer and I've been told that Arizona DMV requires that my signature on the pink slip be notarized but my question is on the back of the pink slip is the Application for Transfer to New Owner. It says that the new owner needs to fill out and send in the application within 10 days. Does this also apply if he's registering it in Arizona? What if he doesn't fill it out within the 10 days? How will that affect me and are their any liablities that go along with it?

John

[mike23109]

John,

As long as you have filled out the release of liability, and mailed it in, you are off the hook. If the new owner fails to register the car, and something happens (accident, hit-and-run, parking ticket, etc.) it will be his responsibility. California DMV makes a notation on the registration that a release of liability has been filed, and to whom you said you sold it to, until the transfer is complete.

As far as Arizona requiring a notarized signature from the seller, I don't know. They also probably have a transfer time limit. I don't know what that is either, however, there is a date of transfer on the pink slip so the new owner's time starts running from there.

[camcojb]

John,

As long as you have filled out the release of liability, and mailed it in, you are off the hook. If the new owner fails to register the car, and something happens (accident, hit-and-run, parking ticket, etc.) it will be his responsibility. California DMV makes a notation on the registration that a release of liability has been filed, and to whom you said you sold it to, until the transfer is complete.

As far as Arizona requiring a notarized signature from the seller, I don't know. They also probably have a transfer time limit. I don't know what that is either, however, there is a date of transfer on the pink slip so the new owner's time starts running from there.

let me just add one thing since I've done this several times. Keep a copy of your release of liability for yourself, because they're gonna ask for it.............. :smoke: Seems that California's DMV has an issue with a car being sold but not re-registered in-state. Every time I sell a vehicle out of state they start sending me notices of suspension due to no insurance, new registration notices, etc. I finally gave up a couple times after explaining several times that the car is no longer in state. Apparently since they see a sale but no new registration under someone else's name they think you still have it. They will ask for the new owners info again and if you simply fill the original out and mail it you won't have it unless you make a copy.

I've had one or two vehicles that I gave up on, said go ahead and suspend the registration, could not get anyone with half a brain to understand that the car/truck was now in Texas........................

[406 Q-ship]

let me just add one thing since I've done this several times. Keep a copy of your release of liability for yourself, because they're gonna ask for it.............. :smoke: Seems that California's DMV has an issue with a car being sold but not re-registered in-state. Every time I sell a vehicle out of state they start sending me notices of suspension due to no insurance, new registration notices, etc. I finally gave up a couple times after explaining several times that the car is no longer in state. Apparently since they see a sale but no new registration under someone else's name they think you still have it. They will ask for the new owners info again and if you simply fill the original out and mail it you won't have it unless you make a copy.

I've had one or two vehicles that I gave up on, said go ahead and suspend the registration, could not get anyone with half a brain to understand that the car/truck was now in Texas........................

That is cause CA DMV wants money, I have had sold vehicles that I received stuff from the DMV. Sent the required release of liability and responded to the DMVs paperwork with another copy of the release of liability.

As to AZ needing the certificate of ownership notarized, the new owner will have to fight that out with AZ. I am sure there is a way to get around that cause that would just not be an option all the time (in the case of out of state transfer). Tell the new owner to sign up for AAA (if AAA does AZ DMV services like they do in Cali) the people at AAA are usually not as nuts about the paperwork like the bureaucrats at a government agency.

I just went the other way, I brought a NV truck into CA. If I have gone through the CA DMV it would have taken days if not a week to jump through all the bureaucratic hoops. I did it at AAA it took about 30 minutes of time at the desk with one snag of needing a weight on the truck which took an extra hour. The cost of the membership pays for itself if I never have to go to the DMV here in California.

[camcojb]

That is cause CA DMV wants money, I have had sold vehicles that I received stuff from the DMV. Sent the required release of liability and responded to the DMVs paperwork with another copy of the release of liability.

As to AZ needing the certificate of ownership notarized, the new owner will have to fight that out with AZ. I am sure there is a way to get around that cause that would just not be an option all the time (in the case of out of state transfer). Tell the new owner to sign up for AAA (if AAA does AZ DMV services like they do in Cali) the people at AAA are usually not as nuts about the paperwork like the bureaucrats at a government agency.

I just went the other way, I brought a NV truck into CA. If I have gone through the CA DMV it would have taken days if not a week to jump through all the bureaucratic hoops. I did it at AAA it took about 30 minutes of time at the desk with one snag of needing a weight on the truck which took an extra hour. The cost of the membership pays for itself if I never have to go to the DMV here in California.
How did you get the VIN verified? Every out of state car I've purchased needed that done to get the title/registration, and the local AAA says you have to go to DMV for that, they cannot do it.

Jody

[406 Q-ship]

How did you get the VIN verified? Every out of state car I've purchased needed that done to get the title/registration, and the local AAA says you have to go to DMV for that, they cannot do it.

Jody

I have a few friends that can do a VIN verifcation. AAA should be able to do a verify, I believe the one here in Torrance does them. I got lucky the seller was going to get DMV paperwork at a registration service and so he had the truck VIN verified. You are right that any vehicle has to be verified to bring from one state to another. Check with your local Police Dept too, alot of times they have an officer that does VIN verifcations for the department, maybe they would be will to do it for you.

[novaderrik]

when i bought my Nova from the used car lot of a junkyard, it came with a California title that was signed by the previous owner. nothing was notarized.
i just took it in to the local deputy registrar, filled out a MN registration form, paid the lady something like $75, and walked out with a set of shiny new MN license plates with brand new tabs. a few weeks later i got the MN title in the mail.

every time i see one of these title threads on some bulletin board somewhere, i kind of have to remind myself that i live in one of the more sane states when it comes to car registration..

[Charley Lillard]

I'm in Ca and my AAA told me they do not do out of State cars. Jody is right about keeping a copy of release of liability. I just got my third notice on Malitude.

[406 Q-ship]

I'm in Ca and my AAA told me they do not do out of State cars. Jody is right about keeping a copy of release of liability. I just got my third notice on Malitude.

and AAA just did my truck coming in from Nevada.......go figure.

[camcojb]

and AAA just did my truck coming in from Nevada.......go figure.

apparently it depends on the individual office. Mine would not do vin inspections on out of state vehicles.

Jody

[406 Q-ship]

apparently it depends on the individual office. Mine would not do vin inspections on out of state vehicles.

Jody

I had the VIN verification in my hand when I went in, so that may have been the difference.