Document Genius

Free California Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

Selling or buying a car in California is simpler with the sale in writing. Customize your California vehicle bill of sale with a guided, ready-to-sign template.

  • Download as PDF and Word
  • E-sign included

How It Works

1

Select Your Template

Choose the state or form type you need to start.

2

Fill In Your Details

Answer a few simple questions to customize your form.

3

Get Your Form

Download or print your custom document in PDF or Word.

What Is a California Vehicle Bill of Sale?

A California vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a car sale between a buyer and a seller. It sets down the two parties, the vehicle, the agreed price, and the date the sale took place.

The document supports the DMV title paperwork and gives each side proof of the terms. In California, the endorsed title moves ownership, while the bill of sale records the money and the deal.

California Requirements for a Vehicle Bill of Sale

A car in California is titled and registered through the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The seller endorses the title to the buyer, who then applies to transfer it into their own name.

Official State Form

The California DMV publishes an official Bill of Sale, form REG 135, used as supporting evidence of a sale. It is optional for a standard transfer, and a complete bill of sale you prepare serves the same purpose.

Titling and Registration

Ownership passes when the seller signs the title over and the buyer files for transfer with the DMV. The odometer reading and sale details belong with the transfer paperwork.

Tip: California asks the seller to file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability after a sale. Keep your bill of sale with your records and confirm current steps with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Sell a Car in California?

It is not what transfers the vehicle, though the DMV offers a bill of sale form as supporting proof. The endorsed title is what moves ownership from seller to buyer in California.

A bill of sale records the buyer, the seller, the car, and the price, so the terms stay clear on paper. For an unusual situation, check with the California Department of Motor Vehicles about the paperwork.

What to Include in a California Vehicle Bill of Sale

Write the details out plainly so the bill of sale lines up with the DMV transfer paperwork.

  • Buyer and seller names and contact details.
  • Vehicle year, make, model, VIN, and odometer reading.
  • Sale price and the date of sale.
  • Signatures of both parties, each keeping a copy.

Create Your California Vehicle Bill of Sale Online

There is no need for a lawyer or costly software to draft one. Document Genius makes a California vehicle bill of sale simple to build from a customizable template.

Answer a few guided questions, and the form pulls the sale details together. Export it to PDF or Word, add signatures, and keep a copy on each side.

Start yours in minutes, and hold a solid record of your California car sale.