Free California Free Printable Bill of Sale
California offers the REG 135 bill of sale form. A bill of sale is needed only in some situations — for example, when the seller is not the owner named on the title; otherwise the signed title, with the purchase price entered on it, carries the transfer. What makes California stand out is its short deadlines: the seller must report the sale to the DMV within 5 days, and the buyer must complete the title transfer within 10 days — plus a smog certificate is required at the time of sale, and REG 262 is needed when the title can't carry the odometer disclosure.
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Prefer a print-and-sign version? Our guide lists the fields a printed bill of sale commonly needs for DMV paperwork — with download-ready blank templates for all vehicle types. Read: Free Printable Bill of Sale Templates →
California Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
7.25%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Required
Sales Tax Details
7.25% statewide base rate; district rates add 1.25%–3.25%, so the effective rate is typically 8.5%–10.75% depending on county.
Inspection Requirements
A valid smog certificate is required at the time of sale for most gasoline-powered vehicles over 4 years old. The seller is typically responsible for providing a passing smog certificate unless the buyer agrees otherwise in writing.
California Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Obtain a passing smog certificate for the vehicle (seller's responsibility in most cases) before or at the time of sale.
- Print the REG 135 (CA DMV bill of sale) or create your own printed bill of sale — include the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, date, and full legal names, addresses, and signatures of both buyer and seller.
- If the title is noncomplying or unavailable, has an odometer error, or the vehicle has changed hands more than once, complete REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment) for the odometer disclosure — otherwise the signed title carries the transfer.
- Seller signs the back of the title over to the buyer and completes all required fields including the odometer disclosure.
- Seller reports the sale to the CA DMV online within 5 days of the transaction (Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability).
- Print copies of the bill of sale — one for each party, plus one for the DMV if the transfer needs it.
- Buyer brings the signed title (plus REG 262 if needed, and a bill of sale if the DMV needs one), smog certificate, and proof of insurance to a DMV office within 10 days of the sale to complete the title transfer and pay use tax.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 10-day title transfer deadline is a common mistake — and the DMV adds a late penalty if the transfer fee is not paid within 30 days of the transfer.
- Relying on the bill of sale alone is a critical error — it is not enough to transfer a title in California; the signed title carries the transfer, with REG 262 when the title is noncomplying or there have been multiple transfers.
- Selling a vehicle without a passing smog certificate (unless exempt) is illegal in California; sellers can face civil liability if the buyer later fails smog.
- The seller's failure to file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability online within 5 days can leave the seller liable for parking tickets and violations committed after the sale.
- California's use tax is based on the purchase price and is collected at DMV — writing a falsely low price on the bill of sale is tax fraud.
California Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I need to use the official CA DMV REG 135 bill of sale form?
Not in an ordinary sale. The DMV needs a bill of sale only in some situations — for example, when the seller is not the owner named on the title — and REG 135 is its own form for that; a printed bill of sale with the VIN, sale price, date, and signatures can carry the same details. The signed title carries the transfer; REG 262 is used only in specific cases, such as a noncomplying title or multiple transfers.
Does California require notarization of the bill of sale?
No. California does not require the bill of sale to be notarized for a standard private vehicle sale. Both parties sign the document at the time of the transaction.
What is the REG 262, and when do I need it?
The REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment) is a CA DMV form used for the odometer disclosure when the title is noncomplying or unavailable, has an odometer error, or when the vehicle has changed hands more than once. It is not notarized — both parties sign by hand in ink. For an ordinary sale on a clean title, the signed title carries the transfer.
Who is responsible for the smog certificate in California?
By law, the seller is generally responsible for providing a valid smog certificate within 90 days of the sale. The buyer and seller can contractually agree otherwise, but this must be documented in writing.
What happens if the buyer misses the 10-day transfer deadline?
The law gives the buyer 10 days, and the DMV adds a late penalty if the transfer fee is not paid within 30 days of the transfer. The seller also remains at risk for liability associated with the vehicle until the title is officially transferred.