Selling a Texas-Titled Car in California

Factual Questions
1

I am attempting to sell a car, the title of which was issued by a Texas courthouse. I am attempting to sell this car to a fellow Californian, in california.

I am the original buyer of this car. (Not counting the dealership I bought it from.)

I bought the car new.

Upon paying off the car, I was mailed the title. On the back of the title there are spaces for me and a buyer of the car to sign, indicating that I have sold that person this car.

However, at the top of the title is a detachable portion which says:

“Upon sale of this vehicle, the purchaser must apply for a new title within 20 working days unless the vehicle is purchased by a dealer. Until a new title is issued, the vehicle record will continue to reflect the owner’s name listed on the current title.”

The person I am selling the car to does not speak English well, and I have decided to try to navigate the paperwork for him.

The form to apply for a title is dubbed 130-u. (You can google that to refer to it if you wish.) Upon looking at that form, I am confused about something. It says

This seems strange to me for a couple of reasons.

First of all, the “county where the sale occured” is Orange County, California. This is also “the applicant’s county of residence.” Can it really be that a Texas title can be obtained from a California courthouse?

Second, this passage tells me that the applicant (the purchaser) must send a payment for the title, and registration and sales tax fees, along with the application. I was under the impression that I (the seller) am responsible for sales taxes. But this seems to imply that it is the buyer who is responsible. Is it true, then, that the seller must send the following:

-Sales Tax
-Registration Fee
-Title payment

to a California courthouse in order to have a new Texas title issued?

-FrL-

2

By the way, my WAG in all this is that what we have to do is go up to the DMV, present the texas title with the signatures on the back, and they will in turn do what is needed in order to issue us a new title for the guy who bought my car. (This will include, among other things, a requirement that I get it smog checked for him.)

I am not sure whether he is supposed to pay taxes above what he gave me for the car, or if I am supposed to pay taxes out of what he gave me for the car.

Anyway, that’s my WAG, but the purchaser, who doesn’t speak English very well and who wants to maintain a very by-the-book character for this transaction, believes it is absolutely necessary for us to have him fill out that texas form 130-U. I’m not so sure.

Anyone have any idea how this is all supposed to work?

-FrL-

3

The new buyer needs to take the paperwork to the DMV (or AAA can do it also IIRC*) No courthouse needed. Whle I would still send your part of the paperwork to Texas to cover your ass, tittle will be transfered to California.
If you want to be uber-careful go with the buyer and make sure the paperwork gets done.

4

Damnit I forgot

*Assuming that you are a AAA member of course

5

Furthermore, this page says in order to sell a car in California, I always need a California certificate of title.

How do I get a California certificate of title on this car, when its present title is a Texas title?

-FrL-

6

Thanks, Rick.

-Kris

7

I just realized I made a stupid mistake.

I’m not the owner of the car: my wife is. Says so right on the title. Yet I signed on the back to sell it.

:smack:

The people at the DMV are going to have their hands full with this one when we go up there. :dubious:

-FrL-