California Bill of Sale Template
Fill out a California bill of sale below and download a clean, print-ready PDF — for a car, boat, trailer, or any general item. Free, no signup. The preview updates as you type.
Maintained by the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
How a bill of sale is used in California
Practical steps that follow the sale in California — where the title goes, deadlines, and forms — each taken from the state agency or statute.
- Title transfer deadline. After a private sale in California, the buyer has 10 days to apply for a new title and registration. — Cal. Veh. Code § 5902 (amended Stats. 2001, ch. 826, eff. Jan. 1, 2002); California DMV private-party page ↗
- Where to file. Title and registration in California go through the California Department of Motor Vehicles. — California DMV — How to Register Vehicles Purchased in Private Sales ↗
- Official form. California publishes its own bill of sale form (Bill of Sale, Form REG 135 (REV. 2/2007)); the DMV may prefer it for title work, so attach it to this one when in doubt. — California DMV Form REG 135 (REV. 2/2007) ↗
- Odometer. DMV requires a record of odometer mileage if the vehicle is less than 10 years old; if the title has no mileage line, use REG 262 (security paper, not available online). — California DMV — How to Register Vehicles Purchased in Private Sales ↗
- Liens. For a private sale or loan payoff the lienholder (legal owner) signs the title; otherwise use Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release (REG 166, REV. 12/2016), which must be notarized and cannot be used for paperless titles or vehicles two model years or newer. — California DMV — Title Transfers and Changes; Form REG 166 (REV. 12/2016), Cal. Veh. Code § 5752 ↗
Each point links to the California source it was taken from. Rules change; confirm before relying on them.
What California requires · as of 2026
- Notarization
- Not required
- Official state form
- Yes — DMV provides one
- Find it official
- California DMV ↗
Source: California DMV (Form REG 135) · verify ↗. Notarizing is optional here.
Live preview · updates as you type
Bill of Sale
State of California
This Bill of Sale is made on __________, between __________ ("Seller"), of __________ , and __________ ("Buyer"), of __________ .
For good and valuable consideration, the Seller sells and transfers to the Buyer the following item: __________ — year ____, make ____, model ____, body type / color ____(VIN / serial no.: __________; odometer: __________).
The total sale price is $__________ USD, paid in full on the date above. Condition: Sold as-is, without warranty.
The Seller certifies they are the lawful owner with the right to sell this item, free of liens except as disclosed. The Buyer accepts the item in its stated condition.
Generated with SealFormsReflects California law · verified 2026
What is a California bill of sale?
A bill of sale is a short document that records the sale of an item from a seller to a buyer. In California, it is most often used for private vehicle sales — but it also works for boats, trailers, firearms, equipment, or any personal property. It proves who sold what, for how much, and on what date, and it typically states the item is sold "as-is."
Firearms: in a number of states, a private firearm sale must be completed through a licensed dealer with a background check — a bill of sale alone does not make the transfer legal there. Check your state’s law before using this template for a firearm.
What to include
- Full names and addresses of the buyer and seller
- A clear description of the item (for a vehicle: year, make, model, VIN, odometer)
- The sale price and the date of sale
- The condition or an "as-is" statement
- Signatures of both parties (and a notary block where California requires it)
Using it with the California DMV
For a vehicle, the buyer usually needs the signed bill of sale — with the signed title — to transfer ownership and register the vehicle. Some states provide their own official form or require notarization. Confirm the exact documents on the California DMV website before you file, and keep a signed copy.
Selling a vehicle in California: the official steps
Seller: file the Notice of Transfer (NRL) within 5 days
After selling, submit the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability to the DMV within 5 days (online or form REG 138). It releases you from liability for parking tickets, tolls, and accidents involving the vehicle after the sale date.
Source: California DMV — Title Transfers
Buyer: report the transfer within 10 days
Any change in ownership must be reported to the DMV within 10 days and the title updated. The buyer completes the title transfer and pays transfer fees and use tax.
Source: California DMV — Title Transfers
Smog certification is the seller’s job
The seller must give the buyer a valid smog certification at sale. Exception: if the car is less than 4 model years old, no inspection is needed — the buyer pays a smog transfer fee instead.
REG 135 is the official form — ours mirrors its fields
California publishes an official Bill of Sale (REG 135). The DMV accepts any bill of sale with the same essentials (vehicle, VIN, price, parties, signatures) — this template covers them; no notarization required.
Source: California DMV — Forms (REG 135)
Frequently asked questions
Is a bill of sale required in California?
A bill of sale is strongly recommended for any private sale in California because it documents the transfer, the price, and the "as-is" condition — protecting both buyer and seller. For a vehicle, the California DMV may also require it (or its own form) to transfer the title and register the vehicle. Check current requirements with the California DMV before you file.
Does a California bill of sale need to be notarized?
No — California does not require a bill of sale to be notarized (as of 2026). Notarizing is optional and adds proof, but isn’t needed to transfer the vehicle. Source: California DMV (Form REG 135).
How do I fill out and download the California bill of sale?
Enter the seller, buyer, item, price, and date in the form on this page. The document preview updates as you type. When it looks right, click "Download / Print PDF" and save it or print it — then both parties sign. Keep a copy each.
Is this California bill of sale legally valid?
A bill of sale is generally valid when it accurately identifies the parties and the item, states the price and date, and is signed by both the buyer and the seller. This template covers those elements. It is a general template, not legal advice — for high-value or complex sales, have an attorney review it.
How long do I have to transfer the title after buying a vehicle in California?
California gives the buyer 10 days after the sale to apply for a new title and registration. Source: Cal. Veh. Code § 5902 (amended Stats. 2001, ch. 826, eff. Jan. 1, 2002); California DMV private-party page.
Does California have an official bill of sale form?
Yes — Bill of Sale, Form REG 135 (REV. 2/2007). The DMV may prefer it for title work; you can attach it to the bill of sale you generate here. Source: California DMV Form REG 135 (REV. 2/2007).
Where do I register a vehicle bought from a private seller in California?
Title and registration in California are handled by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Bring the signed title, this bill of sale, and proof of insurance and ID. Source: California DMV — How to Register Vehicles Purchased in Private Sales.
How California compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for California: California DMV (Form REG 135) ↗.
- California is one of 47 of 51 jurisdictions that do not require notarization (3 require a notarized bill of sale for vehicle sales; 1 require notarization only in some situations).
- California is one of 28 of 51 jurisdictions that publish an official DMV bill of sale form (18 have no official form (any complete bill of sale is accepted); 5 have an official form for some transactions only).
Bill of sale in other states
More California legal forms
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