Need Advice, First Time Car Seller. Complicated...

[dsjohnson84]

Hi. I could really use some help here.

The short story is. I moved to California a couple of years ago and right after I moved I never used my car again and it eventually became un-drivable and abandoned in my back yard. I now am moving and have to get rid of my car. I'm wanting to give it away for free on Craigslist but I'm concerned about how to rid myself of my car "correctly" since this is my first time... Here are the potential complications:

State I live in: California
Plates & Registration: Florida (not currently registered, hasn't been for years)
Title: Florida, but has my old Missouri mailing address, which is when I received my title
Insurance: Hasn't been insured in years

I've been doing some research...

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The DMV of CA says:

You will always need:

California Certificate of Title or Application for Duplicate Title (REG 227) (PDF)
Signature(s) of seller(s) and lienholder, if any
Signature(s) of buyer(s)
Transfer fee

You may also need:

Smog certification
Use tax and/or various other fees
Additional documentation

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My car (on paper) essentially has no connection to California, and I'm giving the car away for free. So does anyone have any advice on what I would need to do to be free and clear of this car given my situation. I'm a bit out of my depth here. Thank you.

[jasongraygits]

I think you have to pay the taxes first and complete your documents first to make sure you are out any type of danger.