California Code, Government Code - GOV § 41612

After possession is taken of any vehicle by or on behalf of any legal owner thereof under the terms of a security agreement or lease agreement, the debtor shall pay the chief of police or a parking authority operated by a city and county a fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for the receipt and filing of the report of repossession pursuant to Section 28 of the Vehicle Code before the vehicle may be redeemed by the debtor.Any person in possession of the vehicle shall not release it to the debtor without first obtaining proof of payment of the fee to the chief of police or parking authority. The proof of payment, or a copy thereof, shall be retained by the party releasing possession to the debtor for the period required by law. An individual working for a repossession agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code shall not pay the fee to, or retrieve the receipt from, the chief of police or parking authority.