Bill of Sale California

What Do I Need to Do in California to Sell My Car?

In order to successfully complete the sale of your vehicle in California, you'll need to gather a number of crucial documents. The following is what the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) demands:

To relinquish ownership of the vehicle, you must sign the title certificate. The lienholder must also sign the title if there is a lien on the vehicle.

Smog Certificate: Depending on the circumstances, this might be required. You don't require a new smog certificate if you recently renewed your registration and submitted a smog certificate at the same time. Instead, a document confirming this will be signed by you. You don't have to give the buyer a smog certificate if your car is 4 years old or younger. There is, however, a $8 smog transfer fee.

Odometer Reading: You must provide the odometer reading for vehicles that are less than 20 years old. This can be noted on the title certificate or on a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (Form REG 262) that has been successfully completed. A California DMV office should have this form on hand.

Make sure you know how much your car is worth before looking for a buyer so you can set a fair price. For more details, please see our Guide to Selling Your Car.

What Should I Do in California After Selling My Car?

It's important to notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you no longer own the vehicle after selling it. Within ten days of the sale, you must submit an online Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form. A Release of Liability form is typically included with your title.

Following submission of this, the buyer will be in charge of working with the CA DMV to complete the ownership transfer.

What Smog Check Requirements Must Be Met Before Selling a Car in California?

According to California law, sellers of vehicles must offer buyers a current smog certificate at the time of the transaction.

From the date of issue, this certification is valid for 90 days. There are some exceptions, though:

• You are exempt if you gave the DMV a biennial smog certificate within 90 days of the transfer date.
• A smog certificate is not necessary for vehicles that are 4 years old or younger.
• Smog inspections are not required for vehicles made in 1975 or earlier.

What Should I Do When Selling My Car in California Without a Certificate of Title?

You don't have to fill out an application for a duplicate certificate of title in California if yours was lost, damaged, or was stolen before you sold your car. Instead, you can complete the relevant sections of the "Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title" (Form REG 227), hand it to the buyer, and have them fill out the section for newly registered owners. This document establishes you as the previous owner and the buyer as the new owner.

Before I sell my car in California, how can I replace a lost registration card?

It is advised that you have your official card before attempting to sell your car in California, even though a buyer technically has the option of applying for their own vehicle registration card. Send a completed "Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents" (Form REG 156) to the CA DMV in order to obtain a duplicate. Your license plate number, full legal name, present address, driver's license number, and signature are all required. Include the damaged registration card, if you have one, and the $23 replacement fee. Visit the "Replacing a Lost Registration in California" page for more information.

Should I Offer a Vehicle History Report in California When I Sell My Car?

Yes, it is typical in California for buyers to ask for a vehicle history report before making a decision to buy. This report includes important information about your car, including the odometer readings and accident history. It might be advantageous for you as a seller to place an order for a report yourself and use it to reassure potential buyers. Visit our Vehicle History Reports page for more information.

Reader's comments

Leave your comments

Send Your Comment