We purchased our TT 3 years ago in California. We got the title from the seller and she signed it. It looks like we were supposed to have turned it into the DMV within 10 days, but we were crazy busy ...
If you have a bill of sale that would help. Actually she was suppose to send release of liability to CA DMV and you re register within ten days. Don't contact CA DMV if at all possible. Like most government agencies, few if any employees really know what they are doing.