California DMV · California
Fill out a California bill of sale (REG 135) on your phone
REG 135 is the California DMV's own bill of sale for a vehicle or vessel. It records who sold what to whom, for how much, on what date. The DMV wants it when the title alone does not tell the whole story, for example when the sale price is not on the title, when a vehicle changed hands more than once before being retitled, or when the seller's signature on the title needs backup.
- Form
- California DMV REG 135, Bill of Sale
- Source
- California DMV: REG 135 Bill of Sale (PDF)
- Length
- 1 page
- Cost
- Free. Public-domain government form; we link the agency's own PDF rather than hosting a copy, so you always get the current revision.
What the REG 135 is for, and who fills it in
What it is for. Proof of the transfer and of the purchase price, which the DMV uses for use tax when the buyer transfers the title. Both seller and buyer should keep a copy.
Who fills it in. The seller completes and signs it; the buyer's name and address are entered too. Each seller on the title signs.
Where it goes. The buyer submits it to the DMV with the title and the application to transfer, within the time the DMV allows after the sale. The seller separately files a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) within five days, which can be done online.
The fields that matter
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Vehicle or vessel description | Year, make, license plate or CF number, and the full vehicle identification number (VIN) or hull identification number (HIN). Copy them from the title or registration card, character by character. |
| Seller | The seller's printed name, signature and date, and the seller's address. If there is more than one owner on the title, each one signs. |
| Buyer | The buyer's printed name and address as they should appear on the new registration. |
| Sale price and date | The amount paid, or the word 'gift' if nothing was paid, and the date of sale. The DMV assesses use tax on the price shown, so it must be the real one. |
| Odometer | REG 135 does not carry the federal odometer disclosure; that is made on the title itself (or on REG 262 when the title has no space). Fill both documents. |
How to fill out the REG 135 in FormFill
- Get the official PDF onto your phone. Tap the agency link above and save the PDF (on iPhone, Share, then Save to Files; on Android it lands in Downloads). Only use the agency's own copy: the form changes, and an old revision can be rejected.
- Import it into FormFill. Open FormFill and tap Import PDF, then pick the file. FormFill writes on top of the page, so it does not matter whether the PDF has fillable fields or is a flat scan.
- Fill the fields. Tap Text, then tap where an answer belongs and type it. Drag to move, pull a corner to resize. Use Check for the checkboxes and Date where a date is asked for. Pinch to zoom on the small boxes.
- Sign it. Tap Sign to draw your signature (or reuse a saved one with Pro) and place it on the signature line, not on the printed-name line. Initials covers any initial boxes.
- Finish and send. Tap Done. FormFill flattens your entries into the PDF and offers Share a copy or Save to device. Open the exported file once before you send it.
On this form: The seller types the vehicle details and both parties' names, uses Date for the sale date, and places a Sign signature on the seller line. The buyer does not sign REG 135. Keep the exported PDF; the buyer prints it for the DMV counter or attaches it to a mail-in transfer.
Mistakes to avoid
- A bill of sale does not replace the title. The signed-off title (or an application for duplicate) is still required to transfer ownership.
- Put the true price. Writing a lower figure is a false statement to the DMV and shifts tax liability to the buyer.
- The seller's REG 138 release of liability is separate and protects the seller from tickets and liability after the sale.
- Check the VIN twice; a one-character error means a rejected transfer.
Fill out the REG 135 in FormFill
FormFill opens the official PDF on your phone, lets you tap anywhere to type, check, date and sign, then flattens a clean copy to send. No account, no upload, no subscription needed to finish your first document. Available on iPhone and Android.
Questions people ask
Is a bill of sale required in California?
Not for every sale. The DMV requires REG 135 when the purchase price or transfer is not fully documented on the title, such as a sale where the title shows no price or the vehicle was sold on by someone not on the title. It is good practice to complete one for every private sale.
Does the buyer sign the California bill of sale?
No. On REG 135 the seller signs; the buyer's name and address are entered but no buyer signature is required.
Where do I report the odometer reading?
On the title's odometer disclosure section, or on form REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment) when the title has no space. REG 262 is printed on security paper and must be obtained from the DMV; it is not downloadable.
Source checked 2026-10-16 against California DMV: REG 135 Bill of Sale (PDF). The PDF link points at the agency's own file, which is in the public domain; FormFill does not host or alter it.