California Bill of Sale PDF
California at a glance: DMV Form: REG 135 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale) · Notarization Required: No (for most sales) · Odometer Disclosure: Required for vehicles under 10 years old
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Bills of Sale in California
California requires a bill of sale for all private vehicle sales. The California DMV provides a standard form (REG 135) that serves as the official bill of sale. The seller must also complete an Odometer Mileage Disclosure and submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) to the DMV within 5 days of the sale.
California also requires a smog certificate for most vehicles being sold (with some exceptions for newer cars and diesel vehicles). Private vehicle sales are subject to California sales tax, which the buyer pays when registering the vehicle.
California Bill of Sale — Quick Reference
| Requirement | California Rule |
|---|---|
| DMV Form | REG 135 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale) |
| Notarization Required | No (for most sales) |
| Odometer Disclosure | Required for vehicles under 10 years old |
| Smog Certificate | Required for most gasoline vehicles |
| Notice of Transfer Deadline | 5 days after sale (online or mail) |
| Sales Tax | Paid by buyer at registration (varies by county) |
California Legal Requirements
- Seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days of the sale at dmv.ca.gov.
- Odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old (federal requirement).
- Smog certificate required for most gasoline vehicles (buyer's expense, unless waived).
- Both buyer and seller must sign the vehicle title (pink slip) to complete the transfer.
- Bill of sale should include selling price, which buyer uses to pay use tax at DMV.
California Governing Laws
Read the full text of these laws at Cornell Law School's California legal resources or your state legislature's official website.