Jira & Confluence 
Bitrix24 Title transfer · bill of sale · DMV
Vehicle title transfer — a bill of sale to fill in and the deadlines in three states
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Short answer. Each state sets its own rules. California gives the buyer 10 days to transfer ownership and the seller 5 days to report the sale. Texas requires the title in the buyer's name within 30 days. In New York a bill of sale alone is not proof of ownership: you also need the title or a transferable registration.
Updated: · Next check 2027-02-01
Enter a date — we’ll count the deadlines
- California: seller reports the transfertype the date
- California: buyer transfers ownershiptype the date
- Texas: vehicle titled in the buyer's nametype the date
- Texas: seller files the Vehicle Transfer Notificationtype the date
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From the California DMV and TxDMV pages. Other states have their own deadlines.
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Fill in the bill of sale together, before money changes hands.
Sellers: report the sale, so tickets do not follow you.
Deadlines
The rules, with the source
| What | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California: deadlines | Buyer: 10 days after purchase to transfer ownership. Seller: 5 days after the sale to report the transfer | California DMV |
| California: what you need | Title signed by the seller, odometer record if the vehicle is less than 10 years old, smog certification, fees and use tax | California DMV |
| Texas: deadline | Vehicle titled in the buyer's name within 30 days from the date of sale | TxDMV |
| Texas: seller protection | Vehicle Transfer Notification within 30 days: you cannot be held responsible for the buyer's parking tickets and toll violations | TxDMV |
| Texas: what the buyer gets | Properly signed title with sale date and odometer reading, signed Form 130-U with the sales price | TxDMV |
| New York: bill of sale | Year and make, VIN, date of sale, price, names and signatures of buyer and seller | NY DMV |
| New York: proof of ownership | A bill of sale alone is not acceptable without a title or transferable registration | NY DMV |
| New York: gift | Write the price as $0 and complete form DTF-802 | NY DMV |
Checked on 1 November 2026 on dmv.ca.gov, txdmv.gov and dmv.ny.gov. Fees are not listed here: use your state's calculator or office.
What does not exist
Be careful with these.
- “The bill of sale is the title”: In New York a bill of sale alone is not proof of ownership.
- “A signed title is all the seller needs to do”: TxDMV warns the seller may be held responsible for tickets, tolls or crimes if the transfer is not done, and offers a Vehicle Transfer Notification.
- “We'll fix the changed title”: In New York, altered information on the title means the owner must get a duplicate.
Step by step
What to do, in order
1
Check your state's page
Deadlines, forms and whether a notary is needed.
2
Fill in the bill of sale
Date, names, year, make, VIN, odometer and price. Both of you sign.
3
Sign the title correctly
Seller signs the transfer section. Do not alter or erase anything.
4
File on time
Buyer transfers the title; seller reports the sale where the state asks for it.
5
Keep copies
Seller: buyer's contact details, date of sale and VIN.
Questions
How long do I have to transfer a title?
It depends on the state. California: 10 days for the buyer. Texas: 30 days from the date of sale.
Is a bill of sale enough?
In New York, no: you also need the title or transferable registration.
What goes in a bill of sale?
NY DMV lists the year and make, VIN, date of sale, price, and the names and signatures of buyer and seller.
Can I give a car as a gift?
In New York, write the price as $0 and complete form DTF-802.
The title is lost. What now?
In California, complete form REG 227. In New York, order a replacement title.
Official sources
Other documents
Keep the papers in one place
Letters, receipts and notices in one folder you can share with family or a lawyer. The templates and the editor are free; Layers is free for up to 20 people.
This is a sample and a checklist, not legal advice. Your state's DMV decides.