San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino, California Car Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a car in San Bernardino, California. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

San Bernardino, CaliforniaCarPopulation rank #102

A San Bernardino, California car bill of sale is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership between a private buyer and seller in San Bernardino. As of 2026, California requires both parties to sign the bill of sale, and the buyer must present it at the CA DMV to complete title transfer.

How to Complete a Car Bill of Sale in San Bernardino

Verify the car VIN and run a history check
Complete all fields on the bill of sale — buyer name, seller name, sale price, date, and vehicle description
Both parties sign the bill of sale and retain a copy
Seller signs the back of the title, transferring ownership to the buyer
Buyer brings the signed title and bill of sale to the California DMV – San Bernardino to complete title transfer

What to include

Buyer and seller names and addresses
Car VIN and vehicle details
Sale price and date
Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — San Bernardino County

DMV / Title Office

California DMV – San Bernardino

Address

1065 S Tippecanoe Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92408

Phone

(800) 777-0133

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM)

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

8.75%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

California state rate 7.25% + San Bernardino County/local district taxes 1.50%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

California does not require notarization for a standard vehicle bill of sale; a REG 135 or written bill of sale with both signatures is sufficient.

San Bernardino Transfer Checklist

Submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) to the CA DMV within 5 days of sale
Seller must sign the title certificate and provide odometer disclosure
Buyer has 10 days to transfer title; $15 title transfer fee due at DMV
Smog certificate required for most vehicles older than 4 model years

County Information — San Bernardino County

County Clerk / Recorder

San Bernardino County Registrar-Recorder

Phone

(909) 387-8306

Website

https://www.sbcounty.gov/arc

Car market data and safety information

The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used car

Before completing a car bill of sale in California, verify these safety items:

Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
Verify ABS warning light cycles off after ignition self-test
Confirm child-seat LATCH anchor accessibility and integrity
Test headlight aim and high-beam function on both low and high settings
Inspect windshield for cracks in the driver sight line that could fail state inspection

Car insurance and depreciation in California

Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.

Car registration and titling

Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.

California bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 14,217 bill of sale documents for California transactions, with 382 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

5 Things to Check Before Buying a Car in San Bernardino

Run a VIN history report — accidents, odometer rollback, salvage title
Confirm the title is in the seller's name and matches the VIN on the vehicle
Check for any active liens — call the lender or run a lien search with the California DMV
Meet at a safe, public location and bring a friend or mechanic
Never hand over cash until the title is properly signed and the bill of sale is complete

Frequently asked questions

What county is San Bernardino in, and which office handles title transfers?

San Bernardino is in San Bernardino County. Title transfers are handled by the California DMV – San Bernardino at 1065 S Tippecanoe Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM). Phone: (800) 777-0133.

What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in San Bernardino?

The combined rate is 8.75%. California state rate 7.25% + San Bernardino County/local district taxes 1.50%.

Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in San Bernardino?

No. California does not require notarization for a standard vehicle bill of sale; a REG 135 or written bill of sale with both signatures is sufficient.

What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in San Bernardino?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 8.75% is collected at the time of title transfer.

How long do I have to transfer a car title in San Bernardino?

California requires the buyer to transfer the title within 30 days of the sale date. Late transfers may incur penalty fees at the DMV. Bring your signed bill of sale and the assigned title to the California DMV – San Bernardino.

Can I sell a car without a title in San Bernardino?

In most cases, no. California requires a clean title to complete a private vehicle sale. If the title is lost, the seller must apply for a duplicate title before selling. The bill of sale alone does not transfer legal ownership.

What documents do I need to buy a car in San Bernardino?

You will need: (1) the signed title from the seller, (2) a completed bill of sale, (3) a valid government ID, and (4) payment for the title transfer fee ($15.00) and sales tax (8.75%). Bring all documents to the California DMV – San Bernardino.

Is a bill of sale legally binding in San Bernardino?

Yes. A properly signed bill of sale is a legally binding document that protects both the buyer and seller. It records the agreed-upon sale price, date, and vehicle details. Sellers should keep a copy to prove they are no longer liable for the vehicle after the sale date.