California Vehicle Power of Attorney

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   The California vehicle power of attorney is DMV form REG 260, titled simply Power of Attorney, and it appoints an attorney in fact to complete the documents needed to transfer ownership of the vehicle or vessel described on it.

2. 2

   No notary is involved. REG 260 has no notary acknowledgment block, and instead the owner certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information is true and correct.

3. 3

   REG 260 instructs that all signatures must be in ink, and it provides two signature lines so a second registered owner shown on the title can sign the same form.

4. 4

   A California power of attorney must carry the vehicle or vessel identification number, name the designated attorney in fact, be signed by the principal, and accompany the application the attorney in fact signs (Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual 1.125, Cal. Veh. Code Section 1652).

5. 5

   The DMV accepts either a restricted power of attorney, limited to a specific transaction type such as transfer of ownership, or a general one conveying the right to transact unlimited types.

6. 6

   A photocopy or fax copy of a REG 260 is acceptable to the DMV. Copies of the REG 262, the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form that carries its own power of attorney section, are not, because the REG 262 is a secure document.

7. 7

   A California power of attorney cannot be used to sign a certification or a Statement of Facts, form REG 256. Where a business is the attorney in fact, the business name must appear in the countersignature.

California Requirements for Vehicle Power of Attorney

• DMV Form REG 260, Power of Attorney

  California uses form REG 260, titled Power of Attorney, published by the Department of Motor Vehicles and available on the DMV website only. The posted revision is dated 3/2007. It appoints an attorney in fact to complete all necessary documents, as needed, to transfer ownership as required by law.

• No Notarization, Certification Under Penalty of Perjury Instead

  REG 260 carries no notary acknowledgment block. The owner instead certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information is true and correct, so no notary appointment is required. The form directs that all signatures must be in ink.

• Vehicle or Vessel Identification Number

  A California power of attorney must contain the vehicle or vessel identification number, so the authority is tied to one vehicle. The single exception is a general power of attorney, which will not carry an identification number (Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual 1.125, Cal. Veh. Code Section 1652).

• Named Attorney in Fact and the Principal's Signature

  The form must name the designated attorney in fact and be signed by the principal. REG 260 provides two owner signature lines, so a second registered owner shown on the California title can sign the same form, each with city, state, ZIP, date and a driver license, identification or dealer number.

• Restricted or General Power of Attorney Both Accepted

  The DMV accepts a restricted power of attorney, limited to a specific type of transaction such as a transfer of ownership, or a general power of attorney conveying the right to transact unlimited types. A power of attorney cannot be used to sign a certification or a Statement of Facts, form REG 256.

• Photocopies Accepted for REG 260 but Not REG 262

  A photocopy or fax copy of a general power of attorney, including the REG 260, is acceptable to the DMV. Copies of the REG 262, the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form that includes its own power of attorney section, are not acceptable, because the REG 262 is a secure document.

• Business Entity Countersignature Pattern

  Where a business entity is the attorney in fact, the business name must be included in the countersignature on the application. The DMV gives the pattern as the owner's name, by the company name, by the individual signing, as POA, so the office can see both the entity and the person who acted.

• Submit With the Application, Not on Its Own

  The REG 260 must accompany the application signed by the attorney in fact rather than being filed separately. Take the package to a DMV field office, send it by mail, or use a DMV business partner, and keep the record copy printed below the cut line on the form.