The owner of the car would end up having to file for a duplicate title, been there done that.
That is not quite correct. They can, but it will take weeks and weeks.
There's a way you can sign a power of attorney I think where the new owner pretty much pays for the title twice.
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION] will chime in I'm sure.
This is correct.
Easiest/Fastest way, Old owner, New owner go into DMV, lost title, DMV will have the old owner sign over power of attorny to the new owner. New owner files for lost, and then transfer to self.
Lost title fee is like $69, And then normal transfer/reg fee's apply.
You CAN get the POA form from the DMV website if I recall correctly, and have the PO fill out all of the required information, and go into the DMV alone with that to get the title in your name. I haven't had to do it that way in like 2/3 years, so I don't know if you can still 'get away with that', I don't see why it would have changed
.