California vs Virginia: RV Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: California vs Virginia RV sale
| Feature | California | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4.15% sales/use tax · Virginia procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $23 | $15 |
| Title transfer deadline | 10 days from sale | 30 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | REG 227 | VSA 5 (Lien Release) |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for RVs newer than 2011 | Required for RVs newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required (out-of-state vehicles) | Not required |
| Titling agency | California DMV | Virginia DMV |
When to choose California vs Virginia
Virginia charges 4.15% vs 7.25% in California, a 3.10-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. California requires title transfer within 10 days; Virginia allows 30. Tight 10-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. California publishes REG 135 as the official bill of sale form; Virginia accepts a generic bill of sale that includes the federally-required odometer disclosure. For a RV 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 Virginia
If the RV moves from California to Virginia after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Virginia — 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 Virginia DMV within 30 days of arrival. Virginia will assess 4.15% 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; RVs 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 Virginia DMV will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific RV 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 Virginia
Is the RV bill of sale form different in California vs Virginia?▾
California publishes REG 135 as its official bill of sale form. Virginia does not require a specific form — a typed or generated bill of sale that includes buyer, seller, RV details, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures is accepted.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party RV sale, California or Virginia?▾
Virginia (4.15%) 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 RV in California vs Virginia?▾
California requires the buyer to title the RV within 10 days of sale. Virginia allows 30 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the RV bill of sale in California or Virginia?▾
Neither California nor Virginia requires notarization of the RV bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a RV in California and the buyer registers it in Virginia, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the RV in Virginia — Virginia's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect California sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Virginia DMV will assess 4.15% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.