The California Fotm Reg 262 form, also known as the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form, is primarily used for transferring ownership of a vehicle or vessel in California. This form must accompany the title or an application for a duplicate title. It is important to note that this form does not serve as the ownership certificate itself.
Both the seller and the buyer of the vehicle or vessel need to complete the form. The seller provides information about the vehicle, including its identification number, year, make, and model. The buyer must acknowledge the odometer reading and accept responsibility for the ownership. If there are multiple buyers or sellers, each party must sign the form as required.
The form requires several key pieces of information:
-
Vehicle or vessel identification details, such as the identification number, year, make, and model.
-
The bill of sale, which includes the names of the seller and buyer, the selling price, and the date of the transaction.
-
An odometer disclosure statement to confirm the mileage at the time of sale.
-
Buyer and seller information, including their mailing addresses and contact numbers.
What happens if the odometer reading is incorrect?
If the odometer reading is not accurate, the seller must check the appropriate box on the form to indicate that the odometer reading does not reflect the actual mileage. This includes cases where the mileage exceeds the mechanical limits of the odometer. Failing to disclose this information can lead to legal consequences, so it is crucial to be honest and accurate.
No, photocopies of the California Fotm Reg 262 form are not accepted for submission. However, you can retain copies for your personal records. It is essential that all signatures on the form be in ink, as electronic or photocopied signatures will not be valid.
What is the Power of Attorney section for?
The Power of Attorney section allows the seller to appoint someone else to act on their behalf in completing necessary documents for the transfer of ownership. This is useful if the seller cannot be present during the transaction. However, it is important to note that the odometer disclosure statement cannot be completed by someone acting under Power of Attorney.
For detailed information about your rights when purchasing a vehicle, you can visit the California DMV website at
www.dmv.ca.gov
. There, you will find resources such as the Car Buyer's Bill of Rights and other helpful brochures that outline important information you should know before making a purchase.