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California Bill of Sale

Published Jan 08, 2026

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A California Bill of Sale is a written legal instrument that formally documents the sale and transfer of personal property from a seller to a buyer within the State of California. It serves as proof of ownership change and outlines key transaction details, including the identities of the parties, a description of the property, and the terms of the sale.

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CALIFORNIA BILL OF SALE

I. TRANSACTION DATE

This Bill of Sale is made on .

II. THE PARTIES

The Seller(s):
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

Add Second Seller?

Second Seller:
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

The Buyer(s):
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

Add Second Buyer?

Second Buyer:
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

III. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

The Seller hereby sells, transfers, and delivers to the Buyer the following personal property (the "Property"):

Description of Item(s):

Specific Details (if applicable):
Make:
Model:
Year:
Color:
Serial Number / VIN:
Odometer Reading (if vehicle):
Registration Number:

IV. PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT

The total purchase price for the Property is: $

Payment Method:
The Buyer will pay the Seller using the following method (check all that apply):

Cash

Personal Check

Check Number:

Cashier's Check

Check Number:

Credit/Debit Card

Electronic Transfer (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Wire, etc.)

Other

Specify:

Payment Schedule:

Full Payment

Down Payment

The full amount is paid on the date listed in Section I.

A down payment of $ is paid now, with the balance of $ due on .

V. CONDITION OF PROPERTY

The condition of the Property is described as follows (check one):

As-Is

Warranty

AS-IS: The Property is sold "as-is," without any warranties, express or implied, as to its condition or fitness for a particular use. The Buyer acknowledges that they have had the opportunity to inspect the Property.

WARRANTY: The Seller provides the following warranty regarding the Property:

VI. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND INSTRUCTIONS

The following additional terms or special instructions apply to this transaction:

VII. LOCATION OF SALE

This transaction is taking place in the State of California.

VIII. SIGNATURES

Seller Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

Second Seller Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

Buyer Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

Second Buyer Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

Include Notary Public Section?

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

State of
County of

On this , before me, , a Notary Public in and for said State, personally appeared the above-named individual(s) who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and deed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal.

Notary Public Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
My Commission Expires:

(Seal)

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What is a California Bill of Sale?

A California Bill of Sale serves as a legal document recording the transfer of ownership of personal property from a seller to a buyer within the state. This instrument functions primarily as a receipt that outlines the specifics of the transaction, including the purchase price, date of sale, and detailed description of the item being transferred. Individuals and businesses utilize this form to establish proof of ownership for registration purposes and to release the seller from liability after the transaction concludes.

Types of California Bill of Sale

Various forms exist to accommodate specific categories of property transfers:

Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form REG 135) - Documents the sale of a motor vehicle and is officially recognized by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for registration purposes.
Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (Form REG 262) - Functions as a combined odometer disclosure, power of attorney, and bill of sale that must be printed on security paper compliant with state regulations.
Vessel Bill of Sale - Records the transfer of ownership for watercraft, including boats and jet skis, requiring specific Hull Identification Numbers (HIN).
Firearm Bill of Sale - Captures the details of a gun transaction, though California law mandates that most firearm transfers must proceed through a licensed dealer.

State Laws and Regulations

California statutes impose specific requirements regarding property transfers and documentation:

Transfer of Title Requirements - Mandates the delivery of the certificate of ownership to the buyer or the Department of Motor Vehicles to finalize a transfer (Cal. Veh. Code § 5600).
Odometer Disclosure - Requires sellers of vehicles under a certain age to provide an accurate reading of the odometer at the time of sale (Cal. Veh. Code § 5900).
Smog Certification - Obligates the seller to provide a valid smog certification to the buyer prior to or at the time of the sale, with limited exceptions (Cal. Veh. Code § 4000.1).
Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability - Requires sellers to notify the DMV within five days of selling or transferring a vehicle to avoid civil or criminal liability for the vehicle (Cal. Veh. Code § 5900).
Use Tax Obligations - Imposes a use tax on the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property purchased from a retailer (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 6201).

Required Elements of a Valid California Bill of Sale

A legally binding document must contain specific information to be accepted by state agencies:

Parties' Information - Full legal names and physical addresses of both the buyer and the seller.
Property Description - Detailed identification including Make, Model, Year, VIN (for vehicles), HIN (for vessels), or serial numbers.
Transaction Details - The agreed-upon purchase price and the specific date of the transaction.
Odometer Reading - The exact mileage displayed on the vehicle dashboard at the moment of transfer (required for most vehicle sales).
Signatures - Written acknowledgement from the seller (and often the buyer) confirming the accuracy of the information.
Gift Indication - A clear statement indicating if the property is a gift, which affects tax calculations.

How to Complete a California Vehicle Bill of Sale

Completing the transfer of a vehicle involves several distinct actions:

Step 1: Negotiate Terms - The buyer and seller agree on the price and terms of the sale, such as whether the item is sold "as-is."

Step 2: Obtain Smog Certification - The seller secures a smog certificate if the vehicle is more than four model years old, unless a valid exemption applies.

Step 3: Complete Form REG 135 - Parties fill out the specific DMV Bill of Sale form, ensuring the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches the title exactly.

Step 4: Execute Odometer Disclosure - The seller records the current mileage on the title or Form REG 262 if the title does not have a designated space.

Step 5: Sign and Exchange - Both parties sign the relevant documents, and the buyer provides payment while the seller provides the title and bill of sale.

Step 6: Submit Notice of Transfer - The seller files the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) with the DMV immediately to prevent future liability.

Seller and Buyer Obligations

The transfer of ownership imposes distinct duties on each party involved in the transaction. The seller holds the primary responsibility for providing specific disclosures and ensuring the vehicle meets emission standards. California law requires the seller to provide a smog certificate valid within 90 days of the sale date. The seller must also formally notify the DMV of the sale to release themselves from responsibility for parking tickets or accidents involving the vehicle post-sale.

The buyer assumes responsibility for finalizing the legal transfer of ownership. This process involves visiting the DMV or using online services to pay the transfer fee and any applicable use tax. The buyer typically has 10 days from the date of purchase to complete the registration transfer. Failure to register within this window may result in financial penalties added to the registration fees.

Federal Statutes

Certain federal regulations impact the sale of specific types of property:

Federal Odometer Act - Prohibits the disconnection, resetting, or alteration of a vehicle's odometer with intent to change the number of miles indicated (49 U.S.C. § 32703).
Gun Control Act - Regulates the transfer of firearms and prohibits sales to certain restricted categories of individuals (18 U.S.C. § 922).

FAQs

A California Bill of Sale generally does not require notarization to be legally valid. The DMV accepts Form REG 135 with just the signatures of the buyer and seller. Notarization may be recommended for high-value transactions involving private property to prevent future disputes.

The California DMV usually requires a Bill of Sale (Form REG 135) if the original title is missing specific information or if the seller is not the owner of record. It serves as vital proof of purchase and establishes the purchase price for calculating use tax.

You may draft a handwritten or typed Bill of Sale as long as it contains all legally required information. The document must include the vehicle description, VIN, buyer and seller names, purchase price, date, and signatures to be accepted by the DMV.

Form REG 135 is a standard Bill of Sale available for download, while Form REG 262 is a security document that cannot be downloaded online. Form REG 262 combines a bill of sale, power of attorney, and odometer disclosure, and must be obtained directly from a DMV office.

The seller is legally responsible for providing the buyer with a valid smog certification at the time of the sale. The certificate must have been issued within the last 90 days. A smog certification is not required for vehicles four model years old or newer, electric vehicles, or diesel vehicles prior to 1998.

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