REG 119 is the Certificate of Repossession published by the CA DMV. In it, the legal owner of a vehicle, trailer or vessel certifies that the unit was lawfully repossessed and disposed of after default under a valid lien contract or agreement. Banks, finance companies and individuals holding a lien use it, and the form is signed under penalty of perjury. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official form is published by the CA DMV.
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What is REG 119?
Certificate of Repossession (REG 119) is the CA DMV form on which the legal owner of a vehicle, trailer or vessel records the repossession and the disposition of that unit and certifies that both were lawful, after a default under a valid lien contract or agreement.
The form has three sections. Section 1 identifies the vehicle or vessel: license plate or vessel CF number, VIN or HIN, year, model and make or builder. Section 2 records the repossession: the legal owner, the type of instrument (conditional sale contract or security interest agreement) and its signing date, the date and method of repossession, the reason, where possession was taken, the defaulting debtor, and what happened to the unit afterward (delivered to auto auction, sold through auto auction, sold at public or private sale, leased/licensed, or retained). Section 3 is the certification.
The certification differs by instrument. For a conditional sale contract, it refers to the California Civil Code, including the written notice of intent to sell or dispose of the unit under Civil Code §2983.2. For a security interest agreement, it refers to the California Commercial Code, including the notice or waiver rules in Com. Code §§9611-9614 and §9624. The signer also declares, under penalty of perjury, that the repossession complied with California Military and Veterans Code §§407, 408, 409.1 and 409.3 and with 50 U.S.C. §§3952, 3953 and 3958.
The form also notes that an odometer disclosure for a vehicle is required on the Certificate of Title or on a separate odometer statement.
Who needs to file REG 119?
The legal owner of a repossessed vehicle (including a trailer) or vessel completes REG 119. The form defines the legal owner as the bank, finance company or other firm, or the individual, that has a lien on the unit, within the meaning of California Vehicle Code §§370 and 9840.
- Lienholders using a conditional sale contract. They complete Section 2 as a conditional sale contract and sign the Civil Code certification.
- Lienholders using a security interest agreement. They check that instrument and sign the Commercial Code certification.
- Companies and corporations. An authorized agent signs for the firm. The form asks for the agent's printed name, title and daytime telephone number, and the signature line calls for the company name and the authorized agent's countersignature.
The form is not for the debtor. It identifies the defaulting debtor(s) only as the party the unit was repossessed from.
When to file REG 119
REG 119 is completed after the vehicle or vessel has been repossessed and disposed of, because the certification states that it was lawfully repossessed, taken into the legal owner's possession and disposed of. The form asks for the date of repossession and a disposition date: the sale or lease date, or the delivery date if the unit went to an auto auction for sale. No separate deadline is printed on the form.
For a conditional sale contract, the certification states that written notice of intent to sell or dispose of the unit was given at least fifteen (15) days beforehand, or twenty (20) days if the place of deposit in the mail or the address is outside California. The exception is a vehicle seized as described in Civil Code §2983.3 (b) (6). Confirm any filing deadline with the CA DMV.
Documents you need
- Original or certified copy of the conditional sale contract or security interest agreement: required only if the legal owner is not shown on DMV records.
- Odometer disclosure for a vehicle: the form states it is required on the Certificate of Title or on a separate odometer statement.
How to fill out REG 119
Enter the vehicle or vessel details
In Section 1, enter the license plate or vessel CF number, the VIN or HIN, the year, and the model and make of the vehicle or the vessel builder.
Identify the legal owner
In Section 2, enter the name of the bank, finance company or individual having the lien, with a full address including suffix, any unit number, city, state and ZIP code.
Check the lien instrument type
Check Conditional Sale Contract or Security Interest Agreement, the instrument under which the default occurred, and enter the date the contract or agreement was signed or executed.
Record the repossession date and method
Enter the date of repossession and check one method: licensed repossession agency (B&PC §7500.2), voluntary surrender by debtor, repossession by legal owner or a bona fide employee, or Other (explain).
State the reason and location
Check Failure to Pay or Other (explain), then enter the address where possession of the vehicle or vessel was taken.
Identify the defaulting debtor
Enter the name and the full address of the defaulting debtor(s) from whom the unit was repossessed.
Record how the unit was disposed of
Check one option: delivered to auto auction for sale, sold through auto auction, sold at public sale, sold at private sale, leased/licensed, or retained. Enter the disposition date as the footnote directs.
Enter the auction, buyer or lessee
Enter the name of the auto auction, buyer or lessee as the second footnote directs, plus the auto auction dealer number and the address.
Read the Section 3 certification
Read the certification that matches your instrument, Conditional Sale Contract or Security Interest Agreement, and confirm the notice requirements it states were met before you sign.
Complete the signer block
For a company, enter the printed name and title of the authorized agent and a daytime telephone number. Sign the legal owner line (company name and the agent's countersignature) and enter the date.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check each section and the checked boxes, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Gather the attachments described under How to submit.
How to submit REG 119
The form prints no mailing address, portal or office, so confirm with the CA DMV where your completed REG 119 goes. The CA DMV publishes the form at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/form/certificate-of-repossession-reg-119/.
What the form says must accompany it:
- If the legal owner is not shown on DMV records, attach the original or a certified copy of the conditional sale contract or security interest agreement.
- For a vehicle, the odometer disclosure is required on the Certificate of Title or on a separate odometer statement.
Sign the form before you send it. The legal owner signs, and a company adds the authorized agent's countersignature. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the CA DMV's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the original or certified copy of the conditional sale contract or security interest agreement when the legal owner is not shown on DMV records.
- Checking neither lien/instrument type, or the wrong one, so the Civil Code or Commercial Code certification does not match the contract.
- Entering the wrong date under Disposition Date: it is the sale or lease date, or the delivery date if the unit went to auto auction for sale.
- Entering the wrong party in the name field: the buyer or lessee, the auto auction if delivered for sale, or the buyer's name if sold through auto auction.
- Writing an address without the suffix (Ave., St., etc.) or leaving out the unit number the form asks for.
- Signing for a company without the authorized agent's countersignature, printed name, title and daytime telephone number.
- Omitting the odometer disclosure for a vehicle on the Certificate of Title or a separate odometer statement.
- Signing the certification when the required written notice of intent to sell was not given, or the timing was not met.
Frequently asked questions
What is REG 119?
REG 119 is the CA DMV Certificate of Repossession. The legal owner of a repossessed vehicle, trailer or vessel completes it to record the repossession and disposition and to certify, under penalty of perjury, that they were lawful and followed California requirements.
Who completes the Certificate of Repossession?
The legal owner: the bank, finance company or individual holding the lien on the vehicle or vessel. A company's authorized agent signs for it and adds a countersignature, with printed name, title and daytime telephone number.
What do I attach to REG 119?
If the legal owner is not shown on DMV records, attach the original or a certified copy of the conditional sale contract or security interest agreement. For a vehicle, the form also notes that an odometer disclosure is required on the Certificate of Title or a separate odometer statement.
What is the difference between a conditional sale contract and a security interest agreement on REG 119?
You check the instrument under which the default occurred. A conditional sale contract falls under the California Civil Code, and a security interest agreement under the Commercial Code. Section 3 has a separate certification for each, so sign the one that matches.
How much notice must be given before selling a repossessed vehicle?
For a conditional sale contract, the certification states at least 15 days of written notice of intent to sell, or 20 days if the mailing place or address is outside California. An exception applies to a vehicle seized under Civil Code §2983.3 (b) (6).
Can I fill out REG 119 online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the CA DMV; you submit it through the DMV's channels.
Where do I send the completed Certificate of Repossession?
The form prints no address or submission channel, so confirm with the CA DMV before sending it. The DMV publishes the form at dmv.ca.gov, and any contract copy or odometer statement the form requires must accompany it.
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