Vehicle Code section 4450

(a)

The department upon registering a vehicle shall issue a certificate of ownership to the legal owner and a registration card to the owner, or both to the owner if there is no legal owner of the vehicle.

(b)

The department may adopt regulations for the issuance and acceptance of a “certificate of title” or “certificate of ownership” in an electronic form.

Source: Section 4450, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=4450.­ (updated Jul. 13, 2026; accessed Jul. 20, 2026).

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Verified:
Jul. 20, 2026

§ 4450's source at ca​.gov