California vs Illinois: Car Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: California vs Illinois car sale
| Feature | California | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Official bill of sale form | REG 135 — Bill of Sale | Generic bill of sale accepted |
| Sales / use tax rate | 7.25% sales/use tax · California procedure | 6.25% sales/use tax · Illinois procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $23 | $150 |
| Title transfer deadline | 10 days from sale | 20 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | REG 227 | VSD 790 |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for cars newer than 2011 | Required for cars newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required (out-of-state vehicles) | Not required |
| Titling agency | California DMV | Illinois SOS |
When to choose California vs Illinois
Illinois charges 6.25% vs 7.25% in California, a 1.00-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. California requires title transfer within 10 days; Illinois allows 20. Tight 10-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. California publishes REG 135 as the official bill of sale form; Illinois accepts a generic bill of sale that includes the federally-required odometer disclosure. For a car sale comparison, the buyer-side cost stack is dominated by sales/use tax, title fee, and any inspection or notary trip. Sellers should match the bill of sale format to the buyer's titling state because the buyer files the title transfer, not the seller.
Cross-state transfer: California to Illinois
If the car moves from California to Illinois after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Illinois — not California. The seller's bill of sale should still match California sale-side conventions (because the sale happened there), but the buyer takes that bill of sale plus the endorsed California title to Illinois SOS within 20 days of arrival. Illinois will assess 6.25% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; cars newer than 2011 need a written odometer reading on the bill of sale or title. If a lien existed on the California title, the California lienholder must release it (REG 227) before Illinois SOS will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific car bill of sale
Pick the buyer's titling state — the form ships pre-filled with the right odometer block, signature lines, and state-specific fields.
Frequently asked questions — California vs Illinois
Is the car bill of sale form different in California vs Illinois?▾
California publishes REG 135 as its official bill of sale form. Illinois does not require a specific form — a typed or generated bill of sale that includes buyer, seller, car details, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures is accepted.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party car sale, California or Illinois?▾
Illinois (6.25%) has the lower published state rate vs California (7.25%). Local county and city rates can shift this — check the buyer's home county before the sale.
What is the title transfer deadline for a car in California vs Illinois?▾
California requires the buyer to title the car within 10 days of sale. Illinois allows 20 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the car bill of sale in California or Illinois?▾
Neither California nor Illinois requires notarization of the car bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a car in California and the buyer registers it in Illinois, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the car in Illinois — Illinois's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect California sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Illinois SOS will assess 6.25% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.