Vehicles: certificates of title.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cottie Petrie-Norris

AB 2719 clarifies title terms and allows paper or electronic titles as official ownership proof while preserving existing co-ownership transfer options.

Referred to Com. on TRANS.

#vehicles #certificatesoftitle

Summary of AB 2719 (2025-2026) – Vehicles: certificates of title

Purpose and intent

AB 2719, introduced by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, aims to clarify and standardize terminology related to vehicle ownership records and to make minor, non-substantive changes to existing co-ownership transfer provisions. The bill adds a clear, unified definition of what constitutes a “title,” “certificate of title,” or “certificate of ownership” and ensures these credentials can exist in either paper or electronic form as official records proving legal ownership of a vehicle.

Key provisions and changes

New definition of title-related terms (Section 610.5): The bill defines “title,” “certificate of title,” or “certificate of ownership” as an official record, whether in paper or electronic form, that establishes and provides proof of legal ownership of a vehicle.

Technical amendments to co-ownership transfers (Section 5600.5): The bill retains and clarifies the existing framework for transferring ownership of a vehicle subject to registration to two or more coowners, but makes nonsubstantive, technical updates to align language with the new definitional framework. The existing options for holding co-ownership are preserved:

Coownership can be registered as joint tenancy (using “or” or an implied joint tenancy), with specific rules on survivorship and transfer rights upon death.
Coownership can be registered as community property or tenancy in common (using “or” with written declaration), with transfer rights limited to the lifetime of the coowners.
Coownership can be registered conjunctively (using “and”), with transfer requires the signatures of all coowners or their representatives, subject to survivorship rules in joint tenancy.

Administrative designations (subsection of 5600.5): The Department of Motor Vehicles may adopt abbreviations on certificates of registration and ownership to indicate how the interest in the vehicle is held, as designated by the coowners on the transfer application.

Who and what is affected

Users and owners of motor vehicles in California who hold or transfer titles, including multiple coowners (e.g., joint tenants, tenants in common, community property).

DMV processes and records may incorporate electronic title information (consistent with ELT program considerations) and the clarified definitions to ensure consistency between paper and electronic records.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill passed through various committee stages in the California Legislature during the 2025–2026 session, including referrals and approvals, and progressed to the Senate after amendments. The action history shows standard legislative progression with no appropriation required.

Fiscal impact

The analysis indicates no direct appropriation associated with AB 2719, and no separate fiscal committee assessment is noted. The changes are largely definitional and technical in nature, with potential minor administrative adjustments for the DMV.

Overall, AB 2719 clarifies title-related terminology and preserves existing co-ownership transfer structures, while enabling paper or electronic title records as official ownership proof.