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California Vehicle Bill of Sale

California does not require a bill of sale for every private vehicle sale, but the DMV does require one in a common situation: when the person selling the car is not the registered owner named on the title. The DMV's own version is form REG 135.

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  • Checked against CA rules, September 2026
Page 1 of the vehicle bill of sale

What California does enforce are two tight deadlines, and a seller who misses theirs can stay legally on the hook for a car they no longer own.

What California requires

  1. Buyer: 10 days to transfer the title

    The buyer has 10 days from the date of sale to transfer ownership into their name with the DMV.

  2. Seller: 5 days to report the sale

    The seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) with the DMV within 5 days. This is what stops tickets, tolls and liability from following the seller. It can be filed online.

  3. Smog certificate

    In most private sales the seller provides a valid smog certification before the transfer completes. There are exemptions, including newer vehicles and certain transfers between family members.

  4. Odometer record

    For vehicles under 10 years old, the mileage has to be recorded. If the title has no mileage line, the DMV uses form REG 262, which is security paper you have to get from the DMV rather than print.

  5. Notarization: not required

    California does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized or witnessed.

Worth knowing

  • A bill of sale is required when the seller isn't the registered owner on the title, and it must be signed by both the seller and the person named on the title.
  • File the release of liability even if the buyer is slow. It's the seller's protection and doesn't depend on the buyer doing anything.
  • Use tax is due on the purchase price when the buyer registers the car, so the price written on the paperwork matters.
  • Plates stay with the car in California, unlike some states.

Questions

Does California require a bill of sale to sell a car?

Not in every case. The DMV requires one when the seller is not the registered owner shown on the title. Outside that, it's optional but still the only record of the price, date and condition.

Does a California bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. The DMV states a bill of sale is not required to be notarized or witnessed.

What is REG 135?

The California DMV's own bill of sale form. It identifies the buyer, the purchase price or gift value, and the date of sale. Our template covers the same ground with more room for condition and payment terms, and you can use both.

What happens if the buyer never transfers the title?

If you filed the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days, you're protected from what happens with the car afterwards. If you didn't, tickets and tolls can still come to you.

Checked against California’s own motor vehicle agency in September 2026. Rules change — confirm on the official pages listed before you rely on this, and treat it as general information rather than legal advice.