i feel that pain! i had the same done to me. ok so this is how i understood what you wrote. Original owner sold it to X.  X then sold to Y. then Y sold to Z. then Z sold to U. if Z paid the fees then it should be in Z's name next.. so you need a bill of sale from Z.    heres your problem. if the original owner put it in X's name. then you need X's signiture.  if X signed a release of liability and put it in Y's name. then you need Y's signiture. and if Y released it to Z (sounds like it). then you need Z's signiture.  if no one did any of that. then you need the Original owner. the DMV can sort it out for you.. at least the fees have been paid.  mine were $800!!