5.010 Certificate of Title

Several versions of the California Certificate of Title exist as shown below, all of which are valid.

Noncomplying Pink Title (“pink slip”)—This title (Certificate of Ownership) has boxes on the front side of the certificate for the odometer mileage.

Noncomplying Rainbow Title—This title has only an odometer disclosure statement on its front side for the registered owner to report the mileage. It does not have the information shown in numbers 2 and 3 in the Complying Rainbow Title section.

Out-of-state titles that contain the document features outlined in the Odometer Disclosure Document Features section in this chapter, the odometer mileage disclosure statement for the seller must be provided, and an odometer reading acknowledgment for the buyer are complying titles.

Complying Rainbow Title

• The face of the title has an odometer disclosure statement for the registered owner to report the mileage.
• Language in the certification above the new buyer’s signature acknowledges the mileage reported.
• The reverse side of the title has a signature line in the dealer’s section for the new buyer to acknowledge the odometer reading.

Revisions of this title provide additional space for signatures and/or disclosure:

• The 7/94 revision contains Line 1c for the new buyer to sign acknowledging the mileage reported by the seller.
• The 12/94 revision contains a separate section for odometer mileage disclosure by the seller and acknowledgment by the buyer.

Complying Pink Title with Blue Border (New 12/03)

• The face of the title is pink with a blue border and a white opaque state seal.
• The reverse side of the title is blue.
• VOID appears on the title if photocopied.
• The vehicle history (brand) information is prominently displayed within a red box in the upper right corner of the certificate.
• The title contains a warning banner printed in the right and left border that reads, “VOID WITHOUT BEAR WATERMARK. HOLD TO LIGHT TO VIEW”.
• The title contains a custom-repeated pattern of microprinted wording to expose erasures in the odometer statement areas.
• To expose chemical alterations, reactive agents are incorporated into the paper that produce various stains. California Certificate of Title (New 6/2010).
• Has a prominent strand of polyester security thread embedded into the paper. The thread is repeatedly printed with “State of California” in a forward/backward position in microprinted text.
• The ISSUE DATE section is printed in red.
• The VEHICLE HISTORY box, VEHICLE ID NUMBER, PLATE NUMBER, and ODOMETER sections include the words “California Department of Motor Vehicles” in the shaded areas.

California Salvage Certificate (New 6/2010)

• Has a prominent strand of polyester security thread embedded into the paper. The thread is repeatedly printed with “State of California” in a forward/backward position in microprinted text.
• The VEHICLE HISTORY box, VEHICLE ID NUMBER, PLATE NUMBER, and ODOMETER sections include the words “California Department of Motor Vehicles,” in the shaded areas.