What is a pink slip?
A pink slip is just another name for a title, which is the legal form that makes you the owner of a vehicle.
A title usually includes information about the car, such as the make, model, and year.
It also has the license plate number, technical information, and the owner’s name and address.
The term ‘pink slip’ is mostly used in California.
This is what a pink slip looks like:
Here’s how to transfer a pink slip
in California
Leave the plates on the car
If you’d like to keep them, you need to complete a Special Interest License Plate Application or a Special License Plate Application indicating your retention or release of the special plate, and give the form to the tower.
Fill out a Release of Liability
You have to report the change in ownership to the DMV within 5 days from the date of the donation.
After they update the information from the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, you’ll be cleared from all future liability of the car (the form is attached to the pink slip).
You can submit the form online, in person, or through mail.
Cancel your insurance
Visit https://www.dmv.ca.gov/ for more information on California car donation laws.
Do you need a pink slip / title to donate a car outside of California?
Some places require a pink slip when donating a car.
At Kars4Kids, you can donate even without one, and we do our best to make the process as easy as possible.
With a missing pink slip, Kars4Kids can usually apply for a new title, or simply have you sign some paperwork, depending on the resale value.
Neither option will incur you any fee whatsoever.
How to donate a car without
a pink slip
Go to title transfer page
https://www.kars4kids.org/titles.php
There’s where we walk you through the process, step by step.
Select your state from the dropdown
Because each state has different requirements, you’ll then select a state from our drop-down menu to see what’s required for where you live.
Go through the documents required in your state
It might be a report of sale, a transfer notice, or nothing at all.
Whatever it is, we provide PDFs of the documents for you to fill out and samples to look at.
What if the owner of the car isn’t able to sign a pink slip, and I don’t have one?
- You can donate the car as long as you have the power of attorney for the titled owner.
- In Arkansas, we’ll need an original proof of address.
- If the owner is deceased, in most states we’ll need original executive paperwork and a copy of the death certificate.
- Some states will also require the donor to get the car titled in his name.
What if it’s an abandoned or junk car? Do I still need a pink slip?
Unfortunately, we don’t take abandoned cars, but we do take salvaged or junk cars.
