What the California Release of Liability Form Does
California's Release of Liability form (also called the "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability") tells the Department of Motor Vehicles that you no longer own a vehicle. When you fill it out and submit it, you are officially removing yourself from responsibility for that car — meaning you will not be liable for traffic tickets, accidents, or parking violations that happen after the transfer date you list.
The form protects you if the buyer does not register the vehicle in their name right away, or if they never register it at all. Without this form on file with the DMV, you remain the registered owner in their system, and citations or violations tied to that license plate can still come to you.
You must file this form within five days of selling or transferring the vehicle. If you do not, and the new owner gets a ticket or is in an accident, you may receive the notice first — and you will have to prove you no longer owned the car.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit the Release of Liability form to the California DMV within five days of selling or giving away your vehicle.
- The form removes you from legal responsibility for the car once the transfer date you list has passed.
- You can file it online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
- Keep a copy of the filed form for your records in case a ticket or violation arrives after you have sold the car.
- If you sell the car to a dealer, the dealer is responsible for filing; if you sell it privately, you must file it yourself.
How to File the Form Online or by Mail
The fastest way to file is through the California DMV website. Go to dmv.ca.gov, find the Release of Liability section, and you can submit the form electronically. You will need the vehicle's license plate number, VIN, and the date you sold or transferred it. The online filing is when ready, and you get a confirmation number right away.
If you prefer to mail it, read the form from the DMV website (Form REG 138), fill it out by hand or type it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Mail filing takes longer — typically one to two weeks for the DMV to process — so do this only if you cannot file online. Include a copy for yourself and keep the receipt or tracking number.
You can also walk into any DMV office and hand-deliver the form. Bring your ID and the completed form. The staff will stamp it and give you a copy on the spot. This is the slowest option if you have to wait in line, but it gives you proof of filing when ready.
What Information You Need to Provide
Have these details ready before you start filling out the form: your name and current address, the vehicle's license plate number, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date you sold or transferred the vehicle, and the buyer's name and address (if you know it — this is optional but helpful).
You do not need the buyer's signature or permission to file this form. It is your responsibility as the seller to notify the DMV. If you sold the car to a private buyer, you should also give them a copy of the form so they know you have filed it.
When a Dealer Files It Instead of You
If you sold your car to a licensed California car dealer, the dealer is legally required to file the Release of Liability form, not you. The dealer must do this within two business days of taking possession of the vehicle. You do not need to file anything yourself in this case.
However, it is still a good idea to ask the dealer for written confirmation that they have filed it. If something goes wrong and the form does not get filed, you could still be held responsible for violations that occur after the sale. Getting proof protects you.
What Happens If You Do Not File on Time
If you sell a car and do not file the Release of Liability form within five days, you remain the registered owner in the DMV's system. Any traffic ticket, parking violation, or accident report tied to that license plate will come to you — not the new owner.
You can still file the form late, but you will have to prove the sale date. Keep your bill of sale or receipt from the transaction. When you file late, include a note explaining when the sale actually occurred. The DMV will backdate the release to the sale date if you can document it.
If you receive a ticket or violation notice after you have sold the car, do not ignore it. Contact the DMV or the court that issued the ticket and provide proof that you no longer owned the vehicle on the date of the violation. A filed Release of Liability form is your strongest evidence.
Private Sale vs. Dealer Sale: Who Files What
In a private sale, you (the seller) must file the Release of Liability form. The buyer is responsible for registering the vehicle in their own name within 10 days, but that is separate from your obligation to notify the DMV that you no longer own it. Do not assume the buyer will handle it.
When you sell to a dealer, the dealer files the form. When you trade in a vehicle as part of buying another car, the dealership handles the Release of Liability for the trade-in. In both cases, you should still keep a record of the transaction for your own protection.
| Scenario | Who Files | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Private sale | You (the seller) | Within 5 days of sale |
| Sale to a dealer | The dealer | Within 2 business days |
| Trade-in at a dealership | The dealership | Within 2 business days |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I sold the car but do not know the buyer's name or address?
You can still file the Release of Liability form without the buyer's information. The buyer's name and address are optional fields. What matters is that you provide your information, the vehicle details, and the sale date. The form will still protect you.
Can I file the form if I gave the car away instead of selling it?
Yes. The Release of Liability form works the same way whether you sold the vehicle or transferred it as a gift. Fill in the date you gave it away and submit the form within five days. You are no longer the owner once the form is filed.
What if the buyer never registers the car in their name?
That is the buyer's problem, not yours — as long as you have filed the Release of Liability form on time. Once the form is in the DMV system with your sale date, you are protected. If the car gets a ticket or is involved in an accident, the violation will eventually reach the buyer or the DMV will flag the registration as inactive.
Do I need to keep a copy of the form after I file it?
Yes. Keep a copy for at least three to five years. If a ticket or violation arrives after you have sold the car, you will need proof that you filed the Release of Liability form and when. A copy of the filed form with the DMV's stamp or confirmation number is your best defense.
Can I file the form online if I do not have the VIN?
You can file by mail or in person without the VIN if you have the license plate number, but the online system usually requires the VIN. If you do not have it, look at your old registration documents or bill of sale. If you still cannot find it, file by mail or visit a DMV office in person.