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What most standard sellers should have ready

Bring the original California Certificate of Title, the applicable smog report, the final odometer reading, the buyer's full name and address, and a written record of the agreed sale. After the handoff, submit the DMV Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within five calendar days and save the confirmation. Additional DMV forms depend on the condition of the title and the transaction.

Quick checklist

Before meeting

  • Confirm every titled owner who must sign.
  • Resolve or properly document any lien before the handoff.
  • Check the VIN on the title against the vehicle.
  • Verify whether a current smog certification applies.
  • Gather title, keys, smog report and chosen records.
  • Record plate, full VIN, mileage and agreed price.
  • Agree how payment will be completed and verified.
  • Review the title fields; do not guess or alter entries.

At handoff

  • Confirm buyer's true full name and current address.
  • Enter the actual date and final odometer reading.
  • Complete applicable seller, buyer and mileage fields.
  • Have required parties review before signing.
  • Complete a bill of sale if used or required.
  • Give the buyer the endorsed title and smog report.
  • Record payment completion, time and key count.
  • Photograph or copy final signed records securely.

Immediately after

  • File the NRL online within five calendar days.
  • Save or print the DMV confirmation.
  • Contact the insurer about the completed sale.
  • Put all evidence in one secure folder.
  • Respond to later notices; do not ignore them.
  • Remember that the buyer must transfer title.

Keep records

  • Signed title photos or copies.
  • REG 135 or other sale record, if used.
  • Smog Vehicle Inspection Report, if applicable.
  • Payment evidence and handoff date/time.
  • Buyer information used for the NRL.
  • NRL confirmation or completed REG 138 copy.
  • Insurance confirmation.
  • Relevant messages about the completed sale.

California form and document reference

This table separates the standard documents from forms that apply only in certain situations. Always use the current official version and read DMV's instructions.

DocumentWhat it doesAlways required?Official source
California Certificate of TitleShows ownership and provides the standard seller release, buyer and mileage areas used for transfer.Core document for a standard California-titled sale; replacement or paperless-title routes exist.DMV title transfers
Online NRLNotifies DMV that the seller transferred the vehicle and delivered possession.Yes, the seller must notify DMV within five calendar days; online is one filing method.Submit online
REG 138Paper Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability.The notice is required; use REG 138 only if filing by paper instead of online.Official REG 138
REG 135Records the vehicle, seller, buyer, sale date and price as a Bill of Sale.No. Useful and sometimes required, but not a universal substitute for the title.Official REG 135
REG 227Application for a replacement title, paperless-title certification or certain transfers without the ordinary title.No. Used when its specific title conditions apply.Official REG 227
REG 262Secure reassignment form used for odometer disclosure and other transfer functions in specified cases.No. Used when the title is noncompliant or unavailable, REG 227 applies, mileage was altered, or another listed condition exists.DMV REG 262 guidance
Smog certification and reportShows a qualifying vehicle passed its required emissions inspection; the certificate goes electronically to DMV.Usually for a change of ownership, with vehicle and transfer exceptions.BAR Smog Check

How to use the checklist at the handoff

Compare the VIN on the car with the title before anyone signs. Write the actual sale date and final mileage only when the transaction is closing. Make sure names are legible and placed in the correct seller and buyer sections. If a mileage statement has an error or alteration, stop: DMV's REG 262 guidance says alterations void an odometer disclosure and can require a new secure form and explanation.

For model year 2011 and newer vehicles, DMV has published the expanded federal rule that generally keeps an odometer disclosure requirement in place for the first 20 model years. Other vehicle categories may be exempt. Use the DMV odometer notice and ask DMV if the title or vehicle does not clearly fit.

California BAR says a private-sale vehicle subject to Smog Check must have passed within the last 90 days. The seller should give the buyer the Vehicle Inspection Report. Current exceptions include qualifying four-model-year-and-newer gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles, electric vehicles, motorcycles, 1975-and-older gasoline vehicles, 1997-and-older diesels and certain heavy diesels. Confirm the live list on BAR's official page.

The seller's immediate post-sale task

File the NRL within five calendar days. The online service requires buyer information, plate, the last five VIN digits, mileage and transfer date. Save the confirmation. DMV says an online NRL normally updates the vehicle record within one business day. A mailed REG 138 is allowed, but the seller should keep a copy because the mailed process does not provide an online receipt.

The NRL is not a title transfer. DMV says only the buyer's application using the endorsed title can remove the seller's name from the vehicle record. Read what to do after selling a car in California for insurance and unexpected-notice steps.

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Exceptions: stop and verify before proceeding

This checklist is not enough by itself for an active lien or loan payoff, lost or out-of-state title, deceased owner, trust, gift or family transfer, seller who is not the titled owner, salvage or nonrepairable vehicle, unusual commercial transfer, disputed ownership, altered odometer entry or missing required signature.

DMV can require different forms, signatures, notarization or supporting evidence. Use the official title-transfer page or ask DMV before money or possession changes hands.

Related guides

How to sell a car privately in CaliforniaThe complete seller sequence before meeting the buyer.Is a bill of sale required?How REG 135 fits beside the title and NRL.Smog check for a private saleTiming and common change-of-ownership exemptions.What to record at handoffCapture buyer and vehicle details before the buyer leaves.What to do immediately after the saleNRL proof, insurance and later notices.

Official sources checked

Reviewed September 21, 2026. The official pages did not display a page-level “last updated” date when checked; linked dated forms include REG 138 Rev. 3/2024 and REG 262 Rev. 1/2025.

Prepared by CloseMyCar CA, operated by KAYO GROUP INC. How we check and correct our guides. CloseMyCar CA is independent of California DMV and does not provide legal advice. Requirements can vary by vehicle and transaction, so verify current rules with DMV.