Bill of Sale · California
California Vehicle Bill of Sale (2026)
A California vehicle bill of sale does not need to be notarized or witnessed. The seller must report the sale to the DMV within 5 days (REG 138) and the buyer must transfer ownership within 10 days.
Free preview · PDF + Word · English + Spanish · No subscription
California vehicle sale: key facts
- Notary required?
- No — no notary or witness required.
- Official state form
- REG 135 — Bill of Sale (optional; any bill of sale that identifies the vehicle is accepted).
- Seller next step
- Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) within 5 days.
- Buyer deadline to title
- 10 days.
- Does it replace the title?
- No. The certificate of title is still signed over to the buyer; the bill of sale records price, date and parties.
Official sources: California DMV — Bill of sale (VC §1652) · California DMV — Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability · Last reviewed: October 2026
How it works
- Answer a few questions about the seller, the buyer and the vehicle. The form follows California rules.
- See a free preview of your document.
- Unlock it with a one-time payment and download it in PDF and Word, with signing and filing instructions for California.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a California vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
- No — no notary or witness required.
- How long does the buyer have to title the vehicle in California?
- 10 days.
- Does a bill of sale replace the certificate of title?
- No. When the vehicle is titled, ownership passes by signing over the title. The bill of sale records the price, date and parties, which is useful for taxes and as proof of the sale.
- Is the odometer disclosure required?
- Under federal law (49 CFR 580), motor vehicles of model year 2011 and newer need an odometer statement until they are 20 years old; model year 2010 and older are exempt. Our form calculates this for you.
- Can I get it in Spanish?
- Yes. You sign the English document, and you also receive a Spanish reference translation and Spanish signing instructions.
Other states
TexasFloridaNew YorkPennsylvaniaIllinoisOhioGeorgiaNorth CarolinaMichigan