What a bill of sale is and why you need one
A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a vehicle to someone else. In California, it documents the date of the sale, who bought it, who sold it, the vehicle's details (make, model, year, VIN), and the price paid. The state does not require a bill of sale to transfer ownership — that happens through the title document at the Department of Motor Vehicles — but a bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller by creating proof of the transaction.
Without a bill of sale, you have no written evidence of when you sold the car, to whom, or for how much. If the buyer gets into an accident before registering the vehicle in their name, you could be held liable. If the buyer never registers it and it gets towed or ticketed, those notices may still come to you. A bill of sale breaks that chain by showing you transferred ownership on a specific date.
California does not have an official state form for a bill of sale, which means you can write one yourself or use a template. The DMV accepts any bill of sale that includes the required information and is signed by both parties.
Key Takeaways
- A bill of sale is a written record of the vehicle sale that protects both buyer and seller, even though California does not legally require one to transfer ownership.
- You can write your own bill of sale or use a template, as long as it includes the vehicle VIN, sale date, price, and signatures from both buyer and seller.
- The buyer needs a copy to present to the DMV when they register the vehicle in their name; you should keep a copy for your records.
- A bill of sale does not transfer the title — the buyer must still submit the title document to the DMV to become the legal owner.
- If you sell a vehicle "as-is," you can note that on the bill of sale to show the buyer accepted it in its current condition.
What information to include on a California bill of sale
Your bill of sale must include the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the vehicle's year, make, model, and color, the odometer reading, and the sale price. You should also write the date of the sale and note whether the sale is "as-is" (meaning the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no warranty from you).
The VIN is the most important detail because it uniquely identifies the vehicle and prevents confusion if either party has owned multiple cars. You can find the VIN on the title document, on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, or on the vehicle registration card.
Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the bill of sale. Some people also have it notarized (signed in front of a notary public), though California does not require this. Notarization adds an extra layer of proof that both parties actually signed it, which can matter if a dispute arises later.
How to write your own bill of sale
Start with a heading that says "Bill of Sale" at the top. Then write out the information in paragraph form or use a straightforward format with lines for each detail. Here is what the structure looks like:
Seller information: Write your full name and address. Buyer information: Write the buyer's full name and address. Vehicle details: List the year, make, model, color, and VIN. Odometer reading: Write the mileage shown on the odometer at the time of sale. Sale price: Write the amount paid (for example, "$5,000" or "Five thousand dollars"). Condition: Write whether the sale is "as-is" or if you are making any promises about the vehicle's condition. Date: Write the date of the sale. Signatures: Both you and the buyer sign and print your names.
You do not need fancy language or legal jargon. The DMV will accept a straightforward, handwritten bill of sale as long as it contains all the required information and is signed by both parties. Many people use a template from the internet or a form from an office supply store, which can save time if you are selling multiple vehicles.
When the buyer needs the bill of sale
The buyer must bring the bill of sale to the DMV when they register the vehicle in their name. They will also need the title document (signed by you), proof of insurance, and a completed process for Title or Registration (form REG 343). The bill of sale serves as supporting documentation that shows they purchased the vehicle and from whom.
The buyer should get the bill of sale from you at the time of sale, before they hand over the money. Do not leave it unsigned or undated — complete it fully before the transaction is finished. If you discover later that the buyer never registered the vehicle, you will want proof that you sold it to them on a specific date, which the bill of sale provides.
If the buyer is financing the vehicle through a lender, the lender may also ask to see the bill of sale as part of their paperwork. It shows the purchase price and helps the lender verify the transaction is legitimate.
Keeping copies for your protection
Make at least two copies of the completed bill of sale — one for the buyer and one for yourself. Keep your copy in a safe place, such as a file folder or safe deposit box, for at least a few years after the sale. If a question arises about when you sold the vehicle or to whom, you will have written proof.
Some sellers also photograph or scan the signed bill of sale and store a digital copy on their computer or cloud storage. This creates a backup in case the paper copy is lost or damaged.
Your copy of the bill of sale is especially important if the buyer does not register the vehicle promptly. If the car is involved in an accident or gets a parking ticket before the title is transferred to the buyer's name, having a bill of sale shows you are no longer the owner and should not be held responsible.
What happens if you sell the vehicle "as-is"
Many private vehicle sales in California are "as-is," meaning the buyer accepts the vehicle in whatever condition it is in at the time of sale, with no promises from you about its mechanical condition or history. You can note this on the bill of sale by writing "Sold as-is" or "Vehicle sold in as-is condition."
Writing "as-is" on the bill of sale does not protect you from fraud — if you knowingly hide a major problem (such as hiding that the engine does not work), the buyer may still have legal recourse. But it does show that the buyer saw the vehicle, knew its condition, and agreed to buy it anyway. This protects you from claims that you misrepresented the car's condition.
If you are making any specific promises about the vehicle — for example, that the transmission works or that you replaced the tires last month — you can write those on the bill of sale as well. This creates a record of what you told the buyer and what they agreed to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to notarize the bill of sale?
No, California does not require notarization for a bill of sale. However, having it notarized adds proof that both parties actually signed it, which can be useful if a dispute arises later. A notary public charges a small fee (usually $5 to $15) and can notarize the document while you and the buyer are both present.
What if I lost the title document?
You will need to get a duplicate title from the DMV before you can sell the vehicle. The buyer cannot register the car without the title, even if you have a bill of sale. Contact your local DMV office or go to the DMV website to request a replacement title.
Can I sell a vehicle without a bill of sale?
Yes, California does not legally require a bill of sale to transfer ownership. However, selling without one leaves both you and the buyer unprotected. Without written proof of the sale, you could be held liable for the vehicle's actions after you sold it, and the buyer has no proof they purchased it.
What if the buyer and I disagree on the sale price later?
The bill of sale is your written record of what price was agreed to at the time of sale. If the buyer claims they paid a different amount, you have the signed bill of sale as evidence. This is why it is important to write the exact price and have both parties sign before the transaction is complete.
Does the bill of sale transfer the title?
No. The bill of sale documents that a sale happened, but it does not transfer ownership. The buyer becomes the legal owner only when they submit the signed title document to the DMV and the DMV processes it. The bill of sale is supporting documentation that helps the DMV process the transfer.