A vehicle title transfer is required when the ownership of a vehicle changes. Here’s what you need to know about title transfers in Arizona.
What Do I Need for an Arizona Title Transfer?
Whether you decide to buy or sell a vehicle, you are required to complete the vehicle transfer process.
Purchasing a Vehicle
When you purchase a vehicle, you are required to complete a title transfer at your local Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) title office. The title transfer process can also be completed by the dealer within 15 days of the vehicle’s purchase.
Purchasing a Vehicle from an Arizona Dealer
When you purchase a vehicle from an Arizona dealer, the dealer handles the car title transfer process and the registration paperwork for a fee.
If you choose to handle the titling and registration process for your vehicle on your own, you need to provide the following documentation and pay the associated fees:
- Proof of ownership (which can include the vehicle’s title that is assigned to you, which is an option for used vehicles, or the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MCO).
- The Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
- Payment for the applicable fees:
- Title transfer fee: $4
- Registration fee: $8
- Air quality research fee: $1.50
- The vehicle license tax: varies by the vehicle’s value
- Highway Patrol Operations fees:
- $32 per vehicle per registration year for most vehicles
- $5 street-legal golf carts and off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
Take all of these documents to your local Arizona MVD office to initiate the vehicle title transfer process.
Buying a Vehicle from a Private Seller in Arizona
If you can, it’s a good idea to go with the seller in person to the AZ MVD title office to initiate and complete the vehicle title transfer process.
NOTE: Although accompanying the seller of the vehicle to your local AZ MVD title office is not a requirement, it’s a good way to prevent purchasing a vehicle that has a lien. You need to make sure the vehicle is registered in your name.
To complete the car title transfer and vehicle registration in Arizona, provide the following documentation and pay the associated fees:
- The vehicle’s title (the car’s title must be signed by the seller(s) and notarized)
- A completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
- A lien release (only necessary if there is a lien recorded on the title)
- Fees for the title and registration:
- Title transfer fee: $4
- Registration fee: $8
- Air quality research fee: $1.50
- Vehicle license tax: based on the vehicle’s value
- Highway Patrol Operations fee:
- $32 per vehicle per registration year for most vehicles
- $5 street-legal golf cars and off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
Selling a Vehicle
If you’re selling a vehicle in Arizona, you need to make sure you correctly transfer the vehicle’s title to the buyer.
To help you avoid problems with the title transfer, make sure you:
- Sign the vehicle’s title and have it notarized
- A notarized lien release for each lien on the vehicle (if necessary)
Other steps you need to take include:
- Remove your license plate (do not give the plate to the buyer)
- Check with your local AZ MVD title office to see if you can receive a plate refund or plate credit
- Complete a sold notice within 10 calendar days of selling the vehicle by:
- Online on the AZ MVD website
- On the back of the vehicle’s registration
By completing a sold notice, you are ensuring you are no longer responsible for tickets and accidents that occur once the car is sold.
How to Transfer a Car Title When the Owner is Deceased
The AZ MVD is able to transfer a vehicle in your name if you are not the original owner if you have the right to inherit the vehicle by intestate succession or by will. Intestate succession implies you are the child or spouse of the deceased individual.
The title transfer can only be made if the deceased individual has been deceased for at least 30 days and the vehicle doesn’t exceed $50,000. If the vehicle in question does exceed $50,000 in value, and you are not the rightful heir, there is no will, or there is a dispute of any kind, action in probate court will be necessary.
To complete a title transfer in Arizona when the owner is deceased, follow these steps:
Obtain a death certificate
You can obtain a certified death certificate by ordering one from your local Arizona vital records office. You must be at least 18 years old and able to provide proof of relationship, such as a birth or marriage certificate, that proves your relationship to the deceased individual. Immediate family members, spouses, and legal representatives can order a certified birth certificate. A certified birth certificate costs $10.
Complete the Non-Probate Affidavit Form
The next step is to complete the non-probate affidavit form. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division requires residents of Arizona to complete this form to transfer a vehicle’s title from a deceased owner to the new owner (the name listed on the application).
This Affidavit must include essential information, including the deceased individual’s date of death, full name, and place of death. Other required information that must be included on the Non-Probate Affidavit Form is the vehicle’s VIN, make, model, and year. Individuals who complete this form must swear they are the rightful heir of the vehicle by intestate succession or will.
Sign the Non-Probate Affidavit Form
Once you sign the non-probate affidavit, it needs to be notarized. You must provide your signature on the form in front of a certified notary or MVD agent. When you sign this affidavit, you are swearing the vehicle does not exceed $50,000 and you are rightfully entitled to the property.
You also swear the owner died more than 30 days prior to completing the form. When you submit this form, make sure you provide the vehicle’s title, individual’s death certificate, and state-issued identification. Once you submit these documents, you are required to pay the Arizona vehicle title transfer fee of $4 and any applicable back registration before the title will be valid and transferred in your name.
Transferring a Title After a Lease Buyout in Arizona
To transfer a vehicle’s title after a lease buyout in Arizona, the law in this state requires you to apply for a title (Form 96-0236) within 15 days after you purchase the vehicle. If you wait longer than 15 days to get a vehicle title, penalties and fees may be assessed.
In Arizona, an electronic title transfer is available. You can also contact an MVD Office or authorized third-party provider. If the vehicle in question is registered in a different state, and you want to drive it in Arizona, you are required to register the vehicle as soon as you become a resident of Arizona.
How to Transfer Ownership of a Car Without a Title in Arizona
Residents of Arizona are required to have a vehicle title to transfer ownership of a vehicle. The seller of the vehicle must apply for a duplicate title and transfer the ownership of the vehicle. If you are purchasing a vehicle that has a lien on it, you are the responsible party for paying the lien.
Can I Gift a Car to a Family Member?
Yes, you can gift a car to a family member in Arizona. The two factors you need to consider when gifting a car to a family member are ownership and insurance. The good news is the required steps aren’t complicated.
Transferring Vehicle Ownership
If you’re considering gifting a car to a relative, you need to make sure you legally own the vehicle. To ensure you are the legal owner of the vehicle, a lien check will be performed. The lien check will inform the MVD agent if someone else is claiming ownership of the vehicle. If the lien check is clear, you can proceed with gifting the vehicle.
The next step you need to do as the gifter of the vehicle is to complete a vehicle title transfer document (Form 96-0236). The vehicle title transfer form is on the back of the Arizona vehicle title form. If this form is not completed, you, the gifter, will remain the legal owner of the vehicle. This legal document is essential, so make sure you don’t skip any of the information that is required. Make sure you print legibly.
Your relative will take the completed vehicle title to the nearest AZ MDV to complete the title transfer process.
Proof of Insurance
Proof of insurance is also required to transfer vehicle ownership. Your relative will need to add the vehicle to their existing policy or purchase a new policy. It’s best to add auto insurance to the vehicle that is being gifted as soon as possible.
How to Transfer an Arizona Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title
An out-of-state vehicle title is known as a cross-state car title. This type of state car title occurs when motorists reside in a new state. Once you move to a new state, such as Arizona, are required to re-title their car to enable them to stick to the laws of the new state in which they reside.
When is an Out-of-State Vehicle Title Transfer Necessary in Arizona?
When individuals move from one state to another, an Arizona vehicle title transfer is required. A vehicle title transfer is also required when you purchase a vehicle from out of state. You can perform an out-of-state vehicle title transfer by surrendering your out-of-state vehicle title and registration, then applying for a new vehicle title and registration at your nearest AZ MVD.
Documents Required to Transfer an Out-of-State Vehicle Title
To process an out-of-state vehicle title transfer, you need to provide certain documents to the AZ MVD agent. The documents you need to provide these documents:
- A completed title and registration application (Form 96-0236)
- A completed emission compliance form (if necessary)
- A completed level 1 vehicle inspection certificate
- Valid out-of-state vehicle title
- Out-of-state license plates
- Lien clearance documents (if required)
- Power of attorney (if the vehicle is leased)
- Payment for the applicable title and registration fees
In addition to the above-mentioned documents and payment, you may be required to submit other paperwork.
Requesting a Duplicate Arizona Vehicle Title
An Arizona vehicle title proves vehicle ownership. If you have the title of your vehicle, you can legally trade it in at a dealership, sell it, or register it in another state if you move. Unfortunately, vehicle titles are easy to misplace, and they can be stolen or damaged.
In the state of Arizona, you have two ways you can request a duplicate vehicle title. You can request a duplicate Arizona vehicle title in person at an AZ MVD office or by mail. Whether you apply for a duplicate vehicle title in person or by mail, a $4 fee is required.
Replacing an Arizona Vehicle Title in Person
There are different steps you need to take to request a duplicate Arizona vehicle title in person. Follow these steps to replace your Arizona vehicle title:
- Visit your local Arizona MVD office
- Complete the Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236). On the form, make sure you check the “duplicate” and “title only” options on the application.
- Provide the vehicle’s current mileage
- Sign the form (keep in mind only the vehicle’s owner can sign the title, even if there are multiple owners of the vehicle)
- Valid photo identification
- Payment for the replacement/duplicate title fee of $4
Replacing an Arizona Vehicle Title by Mail
If you choose to replace your Arizona vehicle title by mail, you need to follow these steps:
- Complete a Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
- Check “duplicate” and “title only” on the application
- Sign the form (only one owner of the vehicle can sign this form, even if there are multiple vehicle owners)
- Provide the vehicle’s current mileage
- Include a check made payable to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division ($4 fee)
- Mail the form and payment to the following address:
Motor Vehicle Division
PO Box 2100
Mail Drop 555M
Phoenix, AZ 85001
NOTE: If you have a damaged vehicle title or a title that is illegible, the state of Arizona will require you to send the existing title with the original title or submitted to the MVD agent if you’re requesting a duplicate Arizona vehicle title in person.
How Much Does a Title Transfer Cost in Arizona?
The Arizona MVD charges a $4 fee for a vehicle title transfer, vehicle title changes, and similar situations.
Where Can I Go to Transfer a Vehicle Title in Arizona?
In the Grand Canyon State, you can transfer a vehicle title in person or online.
In-Person
To transfer a vehicle title in person, visit your local AZ MVD and request the required paperwork. Once you have the necessary documents, complete the Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236) and submit the paperwork to an AZ MVD agent.
Online
You no longer have to worry about completing an Arizona vehicle title transfer in person or by mail. If you choose to transfer a vehicle title online, visit the “eTitle Transfers” section on the Arizona MVD/DOT website and create a new account, if you don’t already have one, and follow the provided steps.
How to Fill Out the Arizona Title and Title Transfer Forms
It’s important to complete the Arizona title and title transfer forms before submitting them to the AZ MVD to avoid delays with the title transfer process. There are a variety of problems that could prevent you from having a hassle-free car title transfer experience when you buy or sell a vehicle.
Seller Names and Signatures
The vehicle’s title must be assigned correctly to complete a MVD title transfer. You can avoid title transfer concerns or illegal vehicle sales by making sure that:
- The seller’s name is present on the title and their signature is provided. If the seller is acting on behalf of a vehicle owner, they must provide documentation that states they have the right to do so, such as providing:
- Power of attorney
- A court order
- All sellers must sign the title, and it must be notarized
- If there is more than one seller, and their names are joined by “and” or “and/or” all, the listed owners must sign the title.
- The seller provides a notarized lien release for any liens on the vehicle.
NOTE: If the seller’s name DOES NOT match the name on the vehicle title, he/she may be selling the vehicle illegally. Be sure the seller has power of attorney or other documentation showing rights to legally sell the vehicle.
Missing Title
In the state of Arizona, you are required to have a vehicle title to transfer ownership of a vehicle. If you’re purchasing a vehicle in Arizona that doesn’t have a title, the seller must obtain a duplicate title to transfer to you.
Liens on the Title
If you purchase a vehicle that has a lien on it, you are responsible for paying the lien. If the title doesn’t have a listed lien, there may be a lien that doesn’t appear on the vehicle’s title, such as a child support lien.
You can ensure the vehicle you’re purchasing is clear of any liens, including financial liens, using the online lien check service with the Arizona MVD. You can also accompany the seller of the vehicle to the nearest AZ MVD office to complete the vehicle title transfer process.
My Car Title Was Signed but Never Transferred. What Do I Do?
Yes, it is possible for a car title to be signed, but never transferred. In this instance, the seller of the vehicle did not transfer ownership of the vehicle or did not register the car in their name. As a result, the vehicle now has an open title, meaning the vehicle’s title was not legally transferred to legally possess liability. An open title can be the result of many factors, including unlicensed private sellers and unlicensed car flippers.
In the event a buyer loses the vehicle title, the title will be temporarily open. The good news is, the buyer can request a duplicate title. The seller or the person listed on the original title is responsible for requesting a duplicate title and signing it over to the buyer to put the title in their name.
Arizona MVD Hours and Contact Information
Arizona MVD hours are 7:30 am to 4:45 pm. These MVD offices open at noon every second Wednesday of each month. You can use this link to determine which AZ MVD is the closest to you, their hours of operation, and other contact information.