If a vehicle or vessel is attached and a certificate of ownership has been issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the vehicle or vessel and the certificate of ownership is still in effect, or if a mobilehome or commercial coach is attached and a certificate of title has been issued by the Department of Housing and Community Development for the mobilehome or commercial coach and the certificate of title is still in effect, the levying officer shall comply with Section 700.090.
§ 488.425.Certificate of Ownership Or Certificate of Title Still In Effect
Title 6.5. Attachment · Chapter 8. Levy Procedures; Lien of Attachment; Management and Disposition of Attached Property · Article 2. Methods of Levy · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 488.425 requires the levying officer to comply with § 700.090 when attaching a vehicle or vessel with a still-effective DMV certificate of ownership, or a mobilehome or commercial coach with a still-effective HCD certificate of title.
Full Text of § 488.425
Plain-English Summary
Vehicles, vessels, mobilehomes, and commercial coaches are tracked through certificates issued by the DMV or the Department of Housing and Community Development, and those certificates matter for how the property is attached. Section 488.425 applies when the relevant certificate is still in effect, directing the levying officer to § 700.090's procedure — distinct from the going-business-equipment filing method in § 488.385, which applies only when the vehicle serves as equipment of a going business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an ordinary car attached under a writ of attachment, as opposed to business equipment?
Section 488.425 governs a vehicle with a certificate of ownership still in effect, directing the levying officer to comply with § 700.090.
What's the difference between § 488.425 and § 488.385 for attaching a vehicle?
Section 488.385 applies specifically to a vehicle that is equipment of a going business; § 488.425 applies to a vehicle, vessel, mobilehome, or commercial coach whose certificate of ownership or title remains in effect.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1198, Sec. 50. Operative July 1, 1983, by Sec. 70 of Ch. 1198.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: attaching a car or vehicle california writ of attachmentccp 488.425 certificate of ownership levy