Looking for advice on getting a title for my car. Bought it out of a wrecking yard in Washington state. I currently live in Washington but may be moving to California sometime this year. I bought the car several years ago (like mid-90's) and at that time, I didn't have the engine or transmission so the State of Washington wouldn't title it until I did.. I now have all the parts just haven't got all the restoration done (still at bare body stage and trailered).. Actually, I want to get a titel for it before I do the expensive part of restoring it (just to make sure)... Since I have a lot of work to do to put it together enough for a Washington title (doesn't have to be running for title only inspection), I am not sure I can get a Washington title before I move.. I have receipts for everything including from the wrecking yard but that's it.. How hard is it to get a title in California once I move?? Better to do it in Washington or California??

I recommend you get a Washington title first. Contact the Washington DMV to find out what forms you will need. Information on the car may still be in their computer system. With any luck a bill of sale signed by the previous legal owner will be sufficient to get a title for the car.

Getting something accomplished at the California DMV is a hassle even if you have all the paperwork.

I have had several cars titled in California and the process is actually fairly simple. As long as there is no record of the vehicle in the California system all you need to do is get the VIN verified by a qualified person (they have services where where someone will actually come right to your house) and have a bill of sale by the previous owner. I think I paid the lady about $50 last time I did it. She came to the house, verified the VIN, did the paperwork, processed it through DMV, and I received a clear title in about two weeks.

Z is correct. Do the hidden vins match? Get a signed bill of sale and vehicle verification and go to cal. dmv.