Replace a Lost or Damaged Vehicle Title in California: 10 Easy Steps

A certificate of title is your primary proof of vehicle ownership and is crucial and necessary for any type of transfer. If you’re about to sell, donate, or gift your vehicle in the state of California, but you can’t seem to locate the title, you will have to order a duplicate.

But don’t stress – in this article, we’ll show you how to order your replacement title online in no time with eTags!

Replace a Lost or Damaged Title in California: 10 Easy Steps

Step 1. Visit our dedicated California Title Replacement Page and click Get Started Here.

Step 2. Only the titled owner of the vehicle is permitted to order a duplicate title. This means that the California DMV must have your name in its records as the vehicle owner in order to proceed. If you are the legal owner, click Yes and Next.

Step 3. Enter the license plate number and the last three digits of the VIN (vehicle identification number). Then click Next.

Step 4. Confirm your vehicle information. Please enter the following details:

1. 1. Vehicle type
   2. Vehicle make
   3. Vehicle year

Then click Continue.

How to Transfer a California Title

Step 5. Enter the name of the registered owner. For an owner who is an individual, fill in the legal first and last name. If there is a co-owner, click +Add a Co-owner and fill in their first and last name or company name as well.

When the registered owner is a business, fill in the full legal company name. Then click Next.

Step 6. Select the reason for your title replacement. Your options will be:

1. 1. Lost
   2. Stolen
   3. Never received from the DMV

If your title has been damaged, choose the Lost option. Then click Next.

Step 7. Provide your contact information. Both an email address and mobile phone number are required. Then click Next.

Step 8. Enter your shipping address. It is possible to have your replacement title shipped to an address that is not on file with the DMV. If this is the case, first fill in the address where you’d like to receive your duplicate, then check the blue box to enter the address that the DMV has on record. Then click Next.

(You may be asked to confirm the address you supplied if it differs from the USPS database. Please take a moment to verify this. Then click Next.)

Step 9. This is your order summary, and a chance to review the details of your contact information as well as your vehicle information. If you need to make any changes here, click the Edit button in the corresponding box.

You will also see a summary of charges here. If everything looks good, click Checkout.

Step 10. On the checkout page, please look over our terms and conditions, select your payment type, and when you’re ready, click Place Order.

How to Renew Your California Registration

Payment Options in California

We’re proud to offer several different types of payment options for our California friends. You can choose to complete your purchase with a credit card, PayPal, or Affirm. This gives you the freedom to pay all at once or to pay in installments.

What to Do if You Need Help

This is how easy it is to  order your replacement certificate of title in 10 easy steps online with eTags.  Of course, we know that sometimes these processes can seem challenging, so if at any time you find you need assistance, our title experts are ready to lend a hand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us…because as always, at eTags, we’re here to help!