California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 6162

An owner of a vehicle who seeks to export a vehicle titled in this state shall appear at the department with the certificate of title to ascertain whether there are any liens of record outstanding and whether the person exporting the vehicle is the lawful owner.  If the certificate of title is found to be in proper order and no unsatisfied lien appears, the department shall enter into its record of title that the vehicle is intended for permanent exportation from the United States.  If the owner certifies by filing a declaration with the department that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States, and that he or she intends to return the vehicle to the United States, the department shall enter into its record of title a declaration that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States until notification by the owner that the vehicle has been returned.