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, it is not required by law to transfer ownership — the DMV handles that through the title document itself — but you should create one anyway. A bill of sale protects both the seller and the buyer by documenting the sale price, the vehicle details, the date, and who owned it before the transfer.

You need a bill of sale when you sell a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle to a private party. If you are trading a vehicle to a dealer, the dealer will handle their own paperwork. If you are selling to someone you know, a bill of sale is your proof that the sale happened and at what price, which matters if a dispute arises later or if the buyer gets into an accident before the title transfers.

California does not have a single official bill of sale form that the DMV requires. You can use the form provided by the California DMV (REG 135), read a template from a reliable source, or write one yourself as long as it includes the required information. Many people use the form because it is straightforward and recognized by the DMV if questions come up later.

Key Takeaways

  • California does not legally require a bill of sale, but creating one protects both buyer and seller by documenting the sale price, vehicle details, and date of transfer.
  • The DMV form REG 135 is available free on the California DMV website and includes all required fields, though you can use any written document that contains the same information.
  • Both the seller and buyer must sign the bill of sale, and you should keep a copy for your records before handing over the original.
  • The bill of sale is separate from the title transfer — you will still need to submit the signed title to the DMV to complete the ownership change.

Information to include on a California bill of sale

Whether you use the DMV form or write your own, the bill of sale must contain specific details about the vehicle and the transaction. Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the make, model, year, and color. Add the odometer reading at the time of sale, the sale price in dollars, and the date of the sale.

Write the full name, address, and signature of the seller. Write the full name, address, and signature of the buyer. If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender still owns part of it), note that on the bill of sale as well. Some forms ask whether the sale includes any warranties or if the vehicle is sold "as-is" — specify this clearly to avoid confusion later.

Do not leave fields blank. If something does not explore — for example, if there is no lien — write "none" or "N/A" rather than leaving it empty. This shows the form was completed intentionally and not accidentally left incomplete.

How to obtain the DMV form REG 135

The California DMV bill of sale form is called REG 135. You can read it free from the official California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) by searching for "REG 135" or "bill of sale." The form is a one-page document available as a PDF that you can print at home.

You can also pick up a physical copy at any DMV office during business hours. If you prefer not to print or visit an office, you can fill out the form by hand using the PDF as a guide, or use any other bill of sale template that includes the same required information. The DMV does not reject a bill of sale because it is not on their specific form — they care that the information is there and that both parties signed it.

Some title transfer services, car dealerships, and online legal document sites offer their own bill of sale templates for California. These are usually free or low-cost. Make sure any template you use is specific to California and includes space for the VIN, odometer reading, sale price, and signatures of both parties.

Steps to complete and sign the bill of sale

1. Print or obtain a blank bill of sale form. Use the DMV REG 135 or another California-specific template. Make sure you have a clean, readable copy.

2. Fill in the vehicle information. Write the VIN, make, model, year, color, and odometer reading. Double-check the VIN against the title or vehicle registration to make sure it is correct.

3. Enter the sale price. Write the amount in both numbers and words (for example, "$5,500" and "Five thousand five hundred dollars"). This prevents disputes about what was agreed to.

4. Write the date of sale. Use the date the money changes hands and the keys are transferred, not a future date.

5. Fill in seller and buyer information. Include full legal names, street addresses, and phone numbers if the form requests them. Use the name that appears on the vehicle title for the seller.

6. Both parties sign and date. The seller and buyer must both sign the form in front of each other if possible, or at minimum, each must sign their own copy. Some people have a notary public witness the signatures, though California does not require this for a bill of sale.

7. Make copies. Before handing over the original, make at least two copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Keep your copy in a safe place.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not sign the bill of sale before all the information is filled in. Once you sign, you are confirming that everything written is accurate. If you need to change something after signing, both parties should initial the change or you should start over with a new form.

Do not leave the odometer reading blank or write an incorrect number. The odometer reading is part of the official title transfer and protects the buyer from buying a vehicle with rolled-back mileage. If you do not know the exact reading, write what you observed and note that it is approximate.

Do not assume the bill of sale transfers the title. The bill of sale is a record of the sale, but the title transfer happens separately when the buyer submits the signed title to the DMV. The seller must sign the back of the title document itself for the transfer to be complete. The bill of sale and the title are two different documents.

Do not sell a vehicle with an outstanding lien without notifying the buyer. If a bank or lender still has a claim on the vehicle, write this clearly on the bill of sale. The buyer needs to know they cannot register the vehicle in their name until the lien is paid off and released.

What happens after both parties sign

Once the bill of sale is signed by both the seller and the buyer, each party should keep a copy. The seller should hold onto their copy as proof that they no longer own the vehicle, in case questions arise later about registration, insurance, or accidents involving that car.

The buyer uses their copy of the bill of sale along with the signed title to register the vehicle with the DMV. The buyer will need to submit the title (with the seller's signature on the back), proof of insurance, and any other documents the DMV requests. The bill of sale is supporting documentation that shows when and at what price the transfer occurred.

If the vehicle has a lien, the buyer may need to work with the lender to release the lien before the title can be transferred. This is separate from the bill of sale process but should be noted on the bill of sale so both parties understand the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California require a bill of sale?

No, California does not legally require a bill of sale to transfer a vehicle title. However, creating one is strongly recommended because it documents the sale price, date, and vehicle details. It protects both the seller and buyer if disputes arise later.

Can I write my own bill of sale instead of using the DMV form?

Yes. California does not require you to use the official DMV form REG 135. You can write your own as long as it includes the VIN, vehicle details, sale price, date, and signatures of both the seller and buyer. Many people use the DMV form because it is free and includes all necessary fields.

Do I need to get the bill of sale notarized?

No, notarization is not required in California for a bill of sale. Both parties straightforward need to sign the document. Some people choose to have it notarized for extra protection, but it is not necessary for the DMV to accept the title transfer.

What if I sell a vehicle with a loan still owed on it?

Write on the bill of sale that the vehicle has a lien and include the lender's name. The buyer needs to know they cannot register the vehicle until the lien is paid off and released by the lender. The seller is responsible for paying off the loan, usually from the sale proceeds.

Can the buyer register the vehicle using just the bill of sale?

No. The bill of sale is a record of the sale, but the buyer needs the signed title document to register the vehicle with the DMV. The seller must sign the back of the title, and the buyer submits both the title and the bill of sale to complete the transfer.