California Forms

Bill of Sale Forms for Different Property Types

California bill of sale forms have different purposes. There are four main types of such docs that you can create when transacting:

  • Vehicle bill of sale form
  • Trailer bill of sale form
  • Boat bill of sale form
  • Firearm bill of sale form

They have different structures, and you should always pay attention to the type of bill of sale form when choosing a template. Also, it is crucial to know the different requirements for all these papers if you want to create a valid bill of sale form. 

The vehicle bill of sale form is optional for both transacting parties in California. It contains several parts with information about the purchase terms and a description of the motor vehicle characteristics. Moreover, you have to use this document to register a vehicle at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 

It is mandatory to complete the trailer bill of sale for legal registration of the vehicle at the DMV. You should enter info about the trailer, its price, information about the buyer and the seller, and the signatures of both parties. It is not necessary to notarize the bill of sale in California.

The state regulations require the boat bill of sale to register a boat. This paper must include a detailed description of the vessel, its identification number, info about both parties, and a clarification of the giver-receiver relationships if the boat is a gift.

A firearm bill of sale form must be completed if it is an assault weapon or imported firearm. It is recommended to have records about the ownership of guns, and a confirmation of it can be a bill of sale form. You should include the description of the gun, information about participants of the transfer process, and terms of sale into the firearm bill of sale.

Official Resources and Guides

You can check the correctness of the bill of sale form completion based on the resources offered below. We recommend you get acquainted with these websites because these sources are official and trustworthy.

Vehicle-related: 

  • Bill of sale form template — DMV REG 135
  • Registration of the vehicle in California — DMV REG 343
  • Transfer or duplication of title for vehicle — DMV REG 227 
  • Vehicle statement of facts — DMV REG 256
  • Transfer and release liability form — DMV REG 138
  • Power of attorney form — DMV REG 260
  • Registration fees information — DMV.

Boat-related:

Gun-related:

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Notarization and Signing

As regards notarization requirements, California laws do not oblige citizens to notarize bill of sale forms. Furthermore, it is not necessary to invite witnesses to the signing procedure. The only requirement for the bill of sale signing procedure is an agreement between both parties about the terms of the deal and a confirmation of this fact using signatures. The Bill of sale form is a receipt of the property transfer for both parties, and it can be helpful during registration of the item and estimation of the taxes due. That is why we recommend completing the bill of sale form if you buy or sell something more expensive than $500. 

Follow the conditions stated in the sources provided above and use official templates to ensure the correctness and validity of the bill of sale. It is important to comply with all requirements of the DMV when you register a vehicle to be able to drive it in the future.