What a California bill of sale is and when you need one

A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a vehicle to someone else. In California, you do not legally need a bill of sale to transfer a car — the DMV will process a title transfer with just the signed title certificate itself. However, a bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the sale price, the date, the vehicle details, and the condition of the car at the time of sale. If a dispute arises later — about whether the sale actually happened, what was promised, or who owns the car now — a bill of sale is your proof.

The California DMV does not require a specific bill of sale form. You can write one yourself on plain paper, use a template, or use the form provided by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (Form REG 135). Many people use a bill of sale because their insurance company, lender, or the buyer's lender asks for one. If you are selling a car privately, a bill of sale is one of the smartest documents you can create.

Key Takeaways

  • California does not require a bill of sale by law, but one protects you if questions arise about the sale later.
  • You can write your own bill of sale on plain paper, use a template, or use the DMV Form REG 135 — all are equally valid.
  • A bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), sale price, date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller.
  • Keep a copy for your records and give a copy to the buyer; the original does not go to the DMV.
  • Scammers sometimes forge bills of sale to claim ownership of vehicles they do not own — never sign a blank bill of sale or one with missing details.

What information must go on a California bill of sale

A bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the make, model, and year of the car, the sale price in dollars, and the date of the sale. It must be signed by both the seller and the buyer. If either person is under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign. The buyer's name and address and the seller's name and address should appear on the document.

You can also note the odometer reading, the condition of the vehicle (for example, "as-is" or "good working condition"), and whether any equipment or parts are included in the sale. If the buyer is taking over a loan or the seller is financing the purchase, that should be stated clearly. The more detail you include, the less room there is for misunderstanding later.

The bill of sale does not need to be notarized in California, though some buyers or lenders may ask for it. If you choose to have it notarized, a notary public will verify your identity and witness your signature. This costs a small fee — usually $5 to $15 per signature — but adds a layer of proof that you actually signed the document.

How to use the DMV Form REG 135

The California DMV provides Form REG 135, called "process for Title or Registration," which includes a bill of sale section. You can read it from the California DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office. The form has spaces for the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the VIN, the sale price, the date, and odometer reading.

To fill it out, print the form and use black or blue ink. Write clearly and legibly — the DMV staff and the buyer both need to read what you wrote. Fill in every blank that applies to your sale. If a section does not explore (for example, if there is no loan on the car), you can write "N/A" or leave it blank. Both the buyer and seller must sign and date the form. If either person is under 18, a parent or guardian signs as well.

Once both parties have signed, make at least two copies — one for you and one for the buyer. Keep your copy with your records. The original does not go to the DMV; the buyer will keep it with their title paperwork when they register the car in their name.

Writing your own bill of sale instead of using a form

You do not have to use the DMV form. You can write a bill of sale on any piece of paper — lined notebook paper, printer paper, or a template you find online. Start with a heading like "Bill of Sale" at the top. Then write out the information: "I, [seller name], sold my vehicle to [buyer name] on [date]." Include the VIN, make, model, year, sale price, and condition. End with signature lines for both the buyer and seller, with space for the date next to each signature.

A handwritten bill of sale is just as legal as a typed one or a form. What matters is that it contains the key facts, is signed by both parties, and is dated. If you are worried about clarity, type it instead of handwriting it — typed documents are easier to read if you ever need to show it to an insurance company or in a dispute.

What happens to the bill of sale after the sale

The bill of sale stays with you and the buyer — it does not go to the DMV. You keep your copy as proof that you sold the car and no longer own it. The buyer keeps their copy as proof that they bought it and now own it. When the buyer goes to the DMV to register the car in their name, they will bring the signed title certificate (the pink slip), not the bill of sale. However, if the title is lost or there is a question about ownership, the bill of sale is valuable proof.

If you are selling a car with a loan still owed on it, the lender may ask to see the bill of sale. Insurance companies sometimes ask for one when a new owner is added to a policy. Keep your copy in a safe place — a file folder, a safe, or a digital scan — for at least a few years after the sale.

Scams and safety warnings about bills of sale

Never sign a blank bill of sale or one with missing information. Scammers sometimes ask sellers to sign a blank form "to fill in later," then forge the details or use it to claim they own a car they do not. Always fill in every detail before you sign, and make sure the buyer's name, the sale price, and the date are correct.

Do not accept a bill of sale that lists a price much lower than what you actually agreed to. Some buyers try to get sellers to sign a bill of sale showing a lower price so they can pay less registration tax or insurance. This is fraud, and you could be held responsible if the buyer later uses the false bill of sale in a crime or to deceive a lender. Write down the actual price you received.

If you are buying a car and the seller refuses to give you a bill of sale, that is a red flag. A legitimate seller has nothing to hide and will gladly document the sale. If the seller pressures you to complete the sale without a bill of sale, walk away — you have no proof you own the car, and you could end up in a dispute over registration or insurance.

How a bill of sale connects to the title transfer

The bill of sale and the title certificate are two separate documents that work together. The title certificate (the pink slip) is the official DMV record of who owns the car. The bill of sale is your private record of the sale itself. When you sell a car, you sign the back of the title to transfer ownership to the buyer. The buyer then takes that signed title to the DMV to register the car in their name.

The bill of sale does not replace the title and does not go to the DMV. However, if the title is lost, damaged, or there is a dispute about who owns the car, the bill of sale is proof that the sale happened and who the buyer was. Some DMV offices will ask to see a bill of sale if the title is missing or if there are questions about the transfer. Having one on hand protects both you and the buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to notarize my bill of sale in California?

No, notarization is not required by California law. However, some lenders or insurance companies may ask for it. If you want to notarize it, take the unsigned bill of sale and your ID to a notary public, sign it in front of them, and they will stamp and sign it. The cost is usually $5 to $15 per signature.

What if I lost the bill of sale after I sold the car?

If you no longer have your copy, you cannot get another one from the DMV — the bill of sale is not a government document. However, if you need proof that you sold the car, you can write a new statement describing the sale, sign and date it, and have the buyer sign it too if possible. Keep this new document as your record going forward.

Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?

Yes, California does not legally require one. You can transfer ownership with just the signed title certificate. However, without a bill of sale, you have no written proof of the sale, the price, or the date. If a problem arises later — the buyer claims you promised something you did not, or there is a dispute about who owns the car — you have no documentation to back you up. A bill of sale is cheap insurance.

What if the buyer and I disagree on the sale price after we sign the bill of sale?

Once both parties sign a bill of sale with a price, that is the agreed price. If the buyer later claims they paid less or you claim they owe more, the bill of sale is the evidence of what was actually agreed to. This is why it is important to write down the correct price before signing — it protects both of you.

Do I need to report the bill of sale to the DMV or the IRS?

No, you do not submit the bill of sale to the DMV. The buyer will register the car in their name using the signed title. If you sold the car for a profit and have other business income, you may need to report the sale for tax purposes, but that is separate from the bill of sale itself. Check with a tax professional if you are unsure.