transferring title of car

I am buying a used Mexican plated car and have been told the papers must be signed and witnessed at the Chapala office on Degollado, does anyone know if this is so? It would seem to put a burden on people who work for a living as they will need to take the day off. I mean, no difference to me, I can be there all day if necessary. Meant to call Spencer and ask but it is too late in the day. TIA for all your help.

Not that I know of.  Possession of the factura, signed over to you, is possession of the car.  However, people often go in there with the seller so as to see to it that the seller takes care of any outstanding fines and that in fact the seller can transfer the car.

What I've heard of people doing is that they both go to the office, when it is clear the factura is good and there are no outstanding fines, the buyer pays the seller right on the spot.

I bought my Mexican car from a dealer. They did everything down to putting the stickers in the window.

No witnessing needed, at least up until last year unless this is something new this year but I sold a motorcycle to a friend and they called to verify the factura I prepared but didn't ask for anything else.