REG 260 is the Power of Attorney form of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). On it, the owner of a vehicle or vessel names another person as attorney in fact to complete the documents needed to transfer ownership. The form has two identical copies on one page, one to use and one to keep for your records. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by the DMV.
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What is REG 260?
REG 260, Power of Attorney, is the California DMV form on which a vehicle or vessel owner appoints another person as attorney in fact to complete all necessary documents, as needed, to transfer ownership as required by law.
The form is short. It starts with a vehicle/vessel description: identification number, year model, make, license plate/CF # and, for a motorcycle, the engine #. Below it, the person appointing prints their name after "I," (there are two such lines), prints the name of the person appointed after "appoint:", and signs. Each signer also gives a city, state, ZIP code, date and a DL, ID, or dealer #.
The wording the signer certifies is fixed: the statement is made under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, and it says the foregoing is true and correct. The form also states in capital letters that all signatures must be in ink.
The page carries the same form twice. The lower half is marked "Cut here and keep this copy for your records." The printed revision is REG 260 (Rev. 3/2007). The DMV lists the form among its other vehicle forms on its forms page.
Who needs to file REG 260?
The main group is owners of a vehicle or vessel who want another person to complete the documents that transfer ownership on their behalf. The owner is the "person appointing power of attorney" on the form and must sign it.
- One or two people appointing. The form has two "I," lines and two signature blocks, so a second person appointing can be listed and sign. Each person who signs gives their own city, state, ZIP code, date and DL, ID, or dealer #.
- The person appointed. The attorney in fact is named by printing a name after "appoint:". The form gives that person authority to complete all necessary documents, as needed, to transfer ownership as required by law.
- Dealers. The identification box reads "DL, ID, or dealer #", so a signer may give a dealer number instead of a driver license or ID number.
The form's authority is stated for transferring ownership only. It does not describe any other power. The form itself sets no age, residency or relationship requirement for the person appointed.
When to file REG 260
REG 260 is completed when you want someone else to handle the paperwork to transfer ownership of a vehicle or vessel, and it has to be signed before that person uses it. No due date is printed on the form, and no validity or expiration period is stated on it. Because it authorizes the attorney in fact to act "as needed", it is prepared ahead of the transfer documents it supports. Keep the bottom copy, which the form marks for your records.
How to fill out REG 260
Describe the vehicle or vessel
In the VEHICLE/VESSEL DESCRIPTION row, enter the identification number, year model, make and license plate/CF #. For a motorcycle, also enter the motorcycle engine #.
Print the name of the person appointing
On the first "I," line, print your name as the owner granting the power of attorney.
Add a second person appointing
If a second person is appointing, print that name on the second "I," line. Leave it blank if only one person appoints.
Name your attorney in fact
After "appoint:", print the name of the person who will complete the documents to transfer ownership on your behalf.
Sign the form in ink
Each person appointing signs in the box marked SIGNATURE REQUIRED BY PERSON APPOINTING POWER OF ATTORNEY. The form says all signatures must be in ink, and the signature is made under penalty of perjury under California law.
Complete address, date and ID number
Next to each signature, enter the city, state, ZIP code and date, and the DL, ID, or dealer # of the signer.
Review, download and keep a copy
Check the description, names, signatures and dates. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then keep the copy the form marks for your records.
How to submit REG 260
REG 260 prints no mailing address, portal or office, so there is no submission channel on the form itself.
- What you do with it. Complete it, sign it in ink and give it to the person you appoint. That person uses it while completing the documents that transfer ownership, as the form states.
- Your copy. The form is printed twice on the page. The lower copy is marked "Cut here and keep this copy for your records."
- Where the transfer documents go. Check the California DMV's forms page at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/forms/ for the other vehicle forms and their instructions.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing with anything other than ink; the form states that all signatures must be in ink.
- Leaving the signature line blank for a person appointing power of attorney, including the second signer when two names are printed.
- Omitting the identification number or other vehicle/vessel description boxes, so the form does not identify the vehicle or vessel.
- Leaving the "appoint:" line blank or not printing the attorney in fact's name.
- Skipping the city, state, ZIP code, date or DL, ID, or dealer # next to a signature.
- Printing a name on only one "I," line when two owners are appointing, then asking both to sign.
- Using the form for a purpose other than completing documents to transfer ownership, which is the only authority it states.
- Cutting off or discarding the lower copy instead of keeping it for your records, as the form directs.
Frequently asked questions
What is REG 260?
REG 260 is the California DMV's Power of Attorney form. The owner of a vehicle or vessel uses it to appoint an attorney in fact to complete all necessary documents, as needed, to transfer ownership as required by law.
Can I fill out the REG 260 form online?
Yes. You can fill out the REG 260 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the DMV and does not file the form; the signed form is used through the DMV's own channels.
Do I have to sign REG 260 in ink?
Yes. The form states in capital letters that all signatures must be in ink. Each person appointing power of attorney signs in the signature box, which is made under penalty of perjury under California law.
Can two owners sign the same REG 260?
Yes. The form has two "I," lines for printing names and two signature blocks, each with its own city, state, ZIP code, date and DL, ID, or dealer # entry. Only one attorney in fact is named after "appoint:".
What information does REG 260 ask for about the vehicle?
The vehicle/vessel description asks for the identification number, year model, make, license plate/CF # and, for a motorcycle, the engine #. The form covers vessels as well as vehicles.
What does a REG 260 power of attorney allow someone to do?
It lets the person you name complete all necessary documents, as needed, to transfer ownership as required by law. The form states no other authority, so it should not be read as a general power of attorney.
Do I keep a copy of REG 260?
Yes. The page carries two copies of the form. The lower one is marked "Cut here and keep this copy for your records," so you can keep it after giving the signed original to the person you appoint.
What revision of REG 260 is this page?
The printed revision is REG 260 (Rev. 3/2007). The DMV publishes the form at its portal; this page links to that official PDF so you can compare it with the version you are completing.
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