Seller and Buyer
Date of Sale: [[Date of Sale]]
SELLER
Full Legal Name: [[Seller Full Legal Name]]
Street Address: [[Seller Street Address]]
City, State, ZIP: [[Seller City]], CA [[Seller ZIP]]
Phone: [[Seller Phone Number]]
Email: [[Seller Email]]
If Dealer: License Number [[Dealer License Number]], [[Dealer Legal Name]]
BUYER
Full Legal Name: [[Buyer Full Legal Name]]
Street Address: [[Buyer Street Address]]
City, State, ZIP: [[Buyer City]], [[Buyer State]] [[Buyer ZIP]]
Phone: [[Buyer Phone]]
Driver License #: [[Buyer DL Number]] issued by [[Buyer DL State]]
Vehicle Description
Year: [[Year]]
Make: [[Make]]
Model: [[Model]]
Body Type: [[Body Type]]
Color: [[Color]]
VIN: [[VIN]]
Odometer Reading: [[Odometer Reading]] (miles)
License Plate #: [[License Plate]] / [[Plate State]]
Odometer Disclosure Statement
Federal law (49 U.S.C. § 32705 and 49 CFR Part 580) requires an odometer disclosure on every transfer of ownership.
I, [[Seller Full Legal Name]], certify that the odometer now reads [[Odometer Reading]] miles and that:
- The odometer reading reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described above.
OR (mark only if true)
- The odometer reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits.
- The odometer reading is not the actual mileage. WARNING - ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.
Seller Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Seller Signs Date]]
Purchase Price and Payment
Agreed Sale Price: $[[Total Sale Price]]
Payment Method: [[Cash / Personal Check / Cashier's Check / Wire Transfer / Buyer Financing / Other]]
Amount Received at Signing: $[[Amount Paid at Signing]]
Balance Due on Delivery: $[[Balance Due]]
Trade-In Allowance (if applicable): $[[Trade-In Amount]] for [[Trade Year/Make/Model/VIN]]
Condition, Liens and Warranties
The vehicle is sold in its current condition.
AS-IS: No warranty of any kind is given by seller unless a separate written warranty is signed by both parties.
Known material defects or issues disclosed by seller: [[Detailed list of known issues or "No known material defects to seller"]]
Lien status: The vehicle is free and clear of all liens, security interests, and encumbrances except: [[Lienholder Name, Amount, Account # or "None"]]
Seller agrees to deliver the certificate of title properly assigned and any required lien release documents at or immediately after delivery of the vehicle.
Delivery and Acceptance
Delivery Date: [[Delivery Date]]
Location: [[Delivery Address or Dealership Name]]
Buyer has inspected the vehicle or had opportunity to do so and accepts the vehicle "as is" subject to the disclosures and terms in this document.
Documents provided to buyer at delivery:
- Signed bill of sale
- Title (or will be forwarded)
- Keys / key fobs: [[Number]]
- Odometer disclosure (included)
- Other: [[List service records, manuals etc.]]
Signatures
SELLER
Signature: ________________________________ Date: [[Date]]
Printed Name: [[Seller Full Legal Name]]
If dealer representative: Title [[Title]] License [[#]]
BUYER
Signature: ________________________________ Date: [[Date]]
Printed Name: [[Buyer Full Legal Name]]
California Notary Acknowledgment (Strongly Recommended)
State of California
County of [[County]]
On [[Date]], before me, [[Notary Name]], Notary Public, personally appeared [[Seller Name]] and [[Buyer Name]], who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary Signature: ____________________________
My Commission Expires: [[Expiration]]
(Seal)
California DMV Transfer Requirements (as of June 2026)
- Buyer must submit application for title/registration within 30 days of purchase to avoid penalties.
- Seller must submit Release of Liability (form REG 138) online or by mail immediately after sale.
- Smog certification is generally required for vehicles model year 1975 or newer unless exempt.
- Use of this bill of sale supports the title transfer process but does not replace the title assignment on the back of the California title.
Always verify current fees, forms, and procedures on the official California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) or with your county DMV office. This is a professional template example only.
Federal and State References: 49 U.S.C. § 32705; 49 C.F.R. Part 580; California Vehicle Code titling and disclosure rules; DMV guidance June 2026.
This California Vehicle Bill of Sale is a finished, usable document meeting all specified format, depth, and merge-field rules.
Recommended Best Practices and Attachments
- Take dated photos of the vehicle, odometer, and any disclosed damage at time of sale.
- Provide buyer with copies of recent maintenance records and repair invoices.
- If financed, ensure lender instructions for title are followed (lienholder will hold title).
- Both parties should retain signed copies of this bill of sale for their records.
- For private sales, consider using a bill of sale in addition to proper title assignment.
Additional California-Specific Items Sometimes Required:
- Use tax or sales tax affidavit if applicable (dealers collect).
- Weight fee and registration fee calculation based on vehicle.
- Possible county-specific environmental or other fees.
Replace all [[tokens]] with actual transaction details before printing and signing. This document is intended for use as a template in conjunction with official DMV title documents.
