Is a Bill of Sale Required in a California Private Car Sale?

Why make a bill of sale anyway?

A signed bill of sale can give both parties a dated record of the agreed vehicle, price and people involved. It can also help establish the chain of ownership when DMV asks for more evidence in a particular transfer. DMV's industry manual says a bill of sale identifying the vehicle can be acceptable and points to REG 135 as an available form. That manual describes additional uses, but those are not a reason to improvise title entries in an ordinary sale.

Use DMV's REG 135 if it fits your transaction, or check DMV's instructions for the exact case. A lost title, lien, estate, gift, out-of-state title or ownership dispute can require a different path. If the title or signatures are uncertain, pause before exchanging the car or money and ask DMV.

What should both parties check?

• Seller and buyer names match the transaction and the title information.
• Vehicle year, make, VIN and plate are copied accurately.
• The actual sale date and agreed price are recorded consistently.
• Both parties keep a copy of any signed bill of sale they use.

These are practical recordkeeping points, not a claim that each field is legally sufficient in every transfer. The bill of sale does not replace the endorsed title, a required smog certification or the seller's NRL filing. The NRL itself does not transfer ownership.

For the complete sequence, read how to sell a car privately in California or use the free printable paperwork checklist. If you want to organize the handoff and save your own record, see the CloseMyCar workspace; it does not generate an official DMV form or file for you.

Official sources checked

• California DMV: Title Transfers and Changes
• California DMV: Bill of Sale manual section
• California DMV: REG 135

Reviewed September 29, 2026.