A California vehicle bill of sale (Form REG 135) is a document that represents proof of title transfer of a motor vehicle. It is used in a transaction between a seller and a buyer when the buyer pays an agreed-upon price for the seller’s vehicle.
Only the seller must sign the bill of sale in California, not the buyer. If the seller’s name does not appear on the title, the Bill of Sale must contain the signatures of the seller and the person whose name is on the title.
Vehicle Registration
California vehicle owners must register their vehicles with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. A buyer must register with the California DMV within ten days of purchasing a new or used vehicle. If an individual is a new California resident, they have 20 days after establishing their California residency to register their vehicle at the DMV.
Registrations must be renewed once a year.
Where to Register Your Vehicle
California residents must register their vehicles in person at a California DMV office or by mail sending their documents to the DMV.
Registration renewals can be done either in person at a California DMV or by requesting registration renewal on the California DMV’s website.
Documents Required by the DMV Office
The documents are required when you register your vehicle:
- Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343)
- Bill of Sale (Form REG 135)
- California driver’s license
- Proof of vehicle insurance, keeping in mind the state’s minimum requirements
- $15,000 for injury/death of one person
- $30,000 for injury/death of more than one person
- $5,000 for damage to property
- Registration fees
- Signed certificate of title
- Statement of Facts (Form REG 256)
- Smog and emissions inspection conducted by an accredited station
Note that if someone else represents you, you must give them power of attorney.
Additional Considerations
While California law does not require a bill of sale for a car, having one is still a good idea. You can use it to record pertinent details of the sale, such as the other parties’ contact information, the purchase date, and the sale price.
Language Requirements
Since California is a multicultural state, the bill of sale can be written in Spanish or any other language. The DMV provides translators as needed.
Number of Copies
Two identical copies should be filled out, one given to the buyer and the other to the seller. Be sure to fill out the form in its entirety.
Junk Vehicles
Once a former wreck is repurposed and sold, a buyer must receive either a junk receipt or a bill of sale containing the dismantler’s acquisition number. The junk receipt is nothing more than an ownership-proving document issued by the DMV when a given vehicle is requested to be listed in the state registry as “junked.”
After Purchasing a Vehicle
Besides drafting a bill of sale, there are many other steps to take when buying or selling a vehicle in California.
A duplicate title is not required to sell a vehicle in California as long as all applicable sections of Form REG 227, or the Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title, are completed. The buyer will then fill out the relevant section as the new owner, completing the sale.
If you purchase your vehicle from a state-licensed dealer:
- You will be issued a temporary registration and license plate from the dealer.
If you purchase your vehicle from a private party:
- Register your vehicle at your local DMV office within ten days of purchase.
- Bring your odometer reading, if applicable.
- Bring a smog certificate, if applicable.
- All fees and taxes must be paid in full.
California Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample
Download and create your own free California vehicle bill of sale.
