How to Write a Vehicle Bill of Sale in California
Step-by-step guide to writing a valid California vehicle bill of sale — required fields, notarization rules, and official forms.
Required Fields in a California Bill of Sale
- •Seller full legal name and address
- •Buyer full legal name and address
- •Vehicle year, make, model, body style
- •VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- •Odometer reading at time of sale
- •Sale price in dollars
- •Date of sale
- •Seller signature
- •Buyer signature
California does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale for private party transactions. The title transfer is the official legal instrument — the bill of sale documents the transaction details.
California does not require witnesses to a vehicle bill of sale. Both buyer and seller signing the document is sufficient.
California DMV provides the REG 135 (Bill of Sale) form as an optional standardized document. You may also use a written bill of sale containing all required fields. The REG 135 is often accepted at the DMV for title transfer purposes.
6-Step Guide: Writing a California Bill of Sale
- 1Gather Vehicle InformationWrite down the vehicle year, make, model, VIN (found on the dashboard or door jamb), current odometer reading, and agreed sale price.
- 2Add Parties' InformationRecord the seller's full legal name and address, and the buyer's full legal name and address. Use names exactly as they appear on government-issued ID.
- 3Write the Sale TermsState the agreed sale price in full (e.g., "Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000)"). Include an As Is clause if selling without warranty: "Vehicle sold as-is with no expressed or implied warranty."
- 4Include Required DisclosuresIn California, include an odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old. Note any known defects in writing.
- 5Sign and DateBoth buyer and seller sign and date the document. California does not require notarization for a private vehicle bill of sale.
- 6Make Copies for Both PartiesEach party should retain a signed original or a signed copy. The seller should keep a copy for at least 3 years.
California requires an odometer disclosure statement for vehicles under 10 model years old. This is often integrated into the bill of sale. The Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) is a separate DMV requirement — file it online within 5 days of the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use our free California bill of sale generator. All required fields pre-filled, As Is clause included, ready to print and sign.
Generate California Bill of Sale