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California Vehicle/Boat Bill of Sale
A Bill of Sale is a legal document that provides evidence of the transfer of ownership for a specific item or property. It includes transaction details such as the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, item description, condition (if relevant), sale price, and any warranties or guarantees.
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A California motor vehicle/vessel sale document (Form REG 135) is a purchase and sale paper that records the sale of a mechanical vehicle or watercraft between the Purchaser and vendor. This document contains information about the vehicle's purchase price, and also its present mechanized and embellishing state. Vehicle and vessel owners will be required to show a sale document to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when registering and titling a newly acquired vehicle/vessel.

Statement of Facts (Form REG 256)– Required to determine a motorized vehicle's odometer reading, as well as other mechanical and cosmetic data.

Signing Requirements –The sale document must be signed by both the purchaser and the vendor.

Vehicle Registration

New owners must document their recent or old car within ten days of acquisition if they bought it from a private party. A new resident who is moving their automobile from a different state must document their automobile within twenty days of setting up habitation in California. When a registration's expiration date approaches, it must be renewed annually. Renewals can be carried out virtually through the California Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or physically at a field office near you.

Irrespective of active use, vessel documentation has to be renewed by December 31st of every odd-numbered year (for example, 2013, 2017, etc.). Renewals can be completed virtually, over the telephone (1-800-777-0133), by email, or at a DMV field office near you.

Where Should I Register?

Eligible vessels have to be documented in person at a local California Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) field office or by mail to the following address:

Sacramento, CA 94269-0001 Department of Motor Vehicles PO Box 942869

Documents Required

  • Prototype Document of Title (if misplaced or destroyed, use Application for Duplicate or Transfer Title)

  • Sale Document (Form REG 135);

  • Valid Government-supplied Identification or California Driver’s License;

  • Fees for Vessel Registration (prices may differ);

  •  Facts Statement (Form REG 256);

  • Vessel Certificate of Number Application (Form BOAT 101); 

  • A Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney (Form REG 260) is required if an agent is to take the place of the boat owner in matters of titling and registration.