BillOfSaleNow

Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield DMV — Bill of Sale & Title Transfer

California vehicle title transfer office for Bakersfield and Kern County. Get your Bakersfield bill of sale, find local fees, and file at the DMV Bakersfield Office.

Bakersfield Title & Registration Office

Office Name

DMV Bakersfield Office

Address

5607 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Phone

(800) 777-0133

Hours

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

Title Transfer Fee

$23.00

Vehicle Sales Tax

8.25%

Special requirements in Kern County:

  • Submit REG 138 within 5 days of sale
  • Buyer must transfer title within 10 days
  • Smog certificate required for vehicles more than 4 model years old
  • Both parties should keep a copy of the bill of sale

Notarization in Bakersfield: ✓ Not Required

California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers.

Documents Required for Bakersfield Title Transfer

  • 1Signed vehicle title (seller signs the back)
  • 2Completed bill of sale
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $23.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax: 8.25% of sale price
  • 6Odometer disclosure statement (for most motor vehicles under 10 years old)
  • 7Insurance proof (varies — check with the office)

FAQ — Bakersfield DMV

Where is the DMV in Bakersfield, California?
The Bakersfield title office is the DMV Bakersfield Office, located at 5607 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM). Phone: (800) 777-0133.
What is the vehicle title transfer fee in Bakersfield?
The title transfer fee in Kern County is $23.00. The vehicle sales tax rate is 8.25%. California state base 7.25% + Kern County 1.0%
What documents do I need to transfer a vehicle title in Bakersfield?
You need the signed vehicle title, a completed bill of sale, a valid photo ID, and payment for the $23.00 title fee plus 8.25% sales tax.
Is a bill of sale required for a vehicle sale in Bakersfield?
A signed bill of sale is required by the DMV Bakersfield Office to document the private sale and process the title transfer. Generate one free at BillOfSaleNow — fill in online, download a PDF in 60 seconds.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

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)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA