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Form REG138 Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability - California
What Is DMV REG 138 Form?
Form REG 138, Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability , is a legal document used to inform the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you have sold or transferred ownership of a vehicle or vessel. Using Form REG 138, you will show the agreement of the parties, describe the transferred item and protect both parties in case any disputes or disagreements arise after the transaction takes place. However, this notice was created for informational purposes and does not constitute a release of any interest in the vehicle or vessel. To record the transaction between the previous and new owners of a vehicle or watercraft, you must fill outForm REG 135, Vehicle/Boat Bill of Sale.
This form was released by the California DMV . The latest version of the form was issued on February 1, 2012 , with all previous editions obsolete. A DMV REG 138 fillable form is available for download below.
How to Fill Out REG 138 Form?
Provide the following information in the CA Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability:
- Write down the new owner's full name and address. You may add a company name if the purchaser is a business;
- Record the current odometer reading;
- Indicate the date of sale, transfer, or lease return;
- Enter the seller's or lessee's full name or company name and address;
- State the selling price of the vehicle or watercraft. If it was a gift, enter 0;
- Provide a description of the vehicle - license number, make, year model, and identification number. If you sold a watercraft, you need to write down a vessel identification number (CF number), builder's model number, and vessel hull number;
- Sign the form;
- If you mail the notice, record the main details of the transaction on the second page of the form and detach the bottom half of the page for your records.
File Form REG 138 within five days from the date you sell the item or otherwise transfer ownership. Do not give this document to the new owner of the vehicle or vessel - they may never file it on your behalf . Submit it yourself to make sure the DMV gets all the information in a timely manner. Note that you must state accurate and legible information in the notice, otherwise it will not be retained or updated. If you sell multiple vehicles or watercrafts at the same time, enter correct details for each item and list the correct owner.
You may file the notice online on the DMV website or mail it to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, PO Box 942859, Sacramento, CA 94259-0001 . Before your name is removed from DMV's records related to the vehicle or vessel, the new owner must apply for transfer using the certificate of title received from you. When the information is received by the DMV, liability for traffic and parking violations resulting from the operation of the vehicle or watercraft becomes the responsibility of the new owner.
Download Form REG138 Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability - California
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