Arkansas OMV Title Transfer Guide

What Do I Need for an Arkansas Title Transfer?

Whether you decide to bring your paperwork to the AR OMV or transfer a vehicle’s title online, the same rules apply.

In order to transfer a car’s title to a new owner, you need to provide the following documents:

A completed Arkansas title with the seller’s and buyer’s name printed, signed, and dated on all required fields.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Bill of sale
Proof of a valid AR auto insurance policy
Odometer Statement
Valid driver’s license of the buyer and seller
Payment for the applicable title transfer and registration fees and taxes

Most AR residents can fill out the required information and receive their vehicle’s new title, registration, and plates in the mail in a few weeks.

Smog Certification/Vehicle Inspection

The state of Arkansas does not require yearly vehicle inspections. However, this state still requires you to pay close attention to your vehicle’s emissions.

Arkansas Incentives for Eco-Friendly Driving

Although the state of Arkansas does not require residents to submit to emissions tests, there are eco-friendly driving perks. These driving perks include tax breaks and auto insurance discounts.

How to Transfer Your Vehicle Title in Arkansas

There are specific steps you need to take to correctly transfer your vehicle title in Arkansas. Provide these documents when you want to transfer your Arkansas vehicle title:

Complete an Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315)
A Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313) if required.
The seller and buyer must sign the Arizona vehicle title.
Payment for the applicable title transfer fees

Be sure to take your documents to your local Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) office to complete the vehicle title transfer process.

Title Transfer Requirements When Selling a Car

If you’re moving to Arkansas, you are required to complete a vehicle title transfer and register your vehicle with the AR OMV within 30 days of establishing residency in Arizona.

Note: Keep in mind you need to submit an odometer disclosure statement when you’re registering and titling an out-of-state vehicle in Arkansas. Using a Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313) may suffice for the odometer disclosure statement.

Buying or Selling a Vehicle in Arkansas

As the seller of a vehicle in Arkansas, it’s a good idea to provide the buyer with a vehicle history report (VHR). This history report informs the buyer about the repairs that have been made to the vehicle. If you’re selling a vehicle in Arkansas, follow these steps to complete a car title transfer in Arkansas:

Complete, sign, and date the Arkansas vehicle title as the “seller”
Provide the buyer with an Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315) and all other applicable documents
Provide an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313) IF the vehicle is less than 20 years old
Give the buyer a Bill of Sale (Form 10-313)
Complete and submit a Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle in person or by mail to the address listed on the form

NOTE: Notice the control numbers on the back of the AR vehicle title. If the control number is less than 3003001, you are required to complete a Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313). If the control number is more than 3003001, the Odometer Disclosure Statement and the Bill of Sale statement located on the back of the vehicle title are enough.

Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

In the state of Arkansas, the vehicle title transfer process is not much of a hassle because the dealership handles most of the AR vehicle title transfer paperwork. In the event you have to handle the title transfer process yourself, you need to have the manufacturer’s certificate of origin.

Used Cars

If you’re purchasing a used car, make sure you receive a Vehicle History Report (VHR) to be aware of any repairs that were made to the vehicle. To complete an AR vehicle title transfer, follow these steps:

Get the vehicle’s title from the seller and sign and date the paperwork as the “buyer” (The seller also needs to sign and date the title and fill in the sections “bill of sale” and “odometer reading” (if applicable)
Obtain any applicable lien documents from the seller, such as:
- A completed Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315)
- A signed lien contract
Obtain all lien documents from the seller, including:
- A completed Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315)
- A signed lien contract
A completed Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313) from the seller if the vehicle has an out-of-state title OR the control number is less than 3003001
A complete Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381). This registration form also serves as the Arkansas title application

The above documents and necessary AR title transfer payments need to be taken to your local Arkansas OMV office.

NOTE: The AR OMV requires an odometer disclosure statement for title transfers for vehicles that are younger than 20 years old.

How to Transfer a Car Title When the Owner is Deceased

Transferring a vehicle’s title is required when you want to keep the vehicle of a deceased individual, plan on gifting the vehicle to a family member or sell the vehicle to another person.

As a surviving spouse, beneficiary, or joint-owner, you have the legal authority to transfer the vehicle’s title to another person after the owner of the vehicle passes away. The process of transferring a vehicle title depends on whether the vehicle was in joint ownership or if the title was in the individual’s name as a decedent. If the vehicle’s title was only in the decedent’s name, you’ll need to know whether the estate is being probated.

Probate occurs when the estate of a deceased individual is administered legally to one, multiple, individuals. Probates occur when there is no beneficiary or living spouse listed in the will. A probate court determines the next steps with the person’s belongings. During the probate process, the deceased individual’s property is distributed according to their will. If the vehicle is part of a probated estate, follow these steps to transfer the vehicle’s title:

Contact Probate Court and Attorney

Car titles can’t be transferred until the probate is completed. The administrator or executor of the deceased needs to contact Probate Court or an attorney to receive further instructions regarding the probate process. Every probate situation is different, so it’s a good idea to have someone in your corner that understands the legal process.

Once the probate process is completed, the heir to the deceased individual’s belongings will receive the vehicle, or the executor can choose to sell it.

Gather the Required Documents

In order to transfer a vehicle title in AR, you need to provide the following documentation:

Certificate of the title
Odometer disclosure statement
Order from Probate Court to transfer the vehicle
Death certificate
Payment for all applicable title transfer fees

Visit the Title Office

Administrators and beneficiaries of the deceased individual’s estate can visit their local title office with the above-stated documents to begin the title transfer process.

How to Transfer a Car Title Without Probate

Without probate, the deceased individual’s property can’t exceed a specific amount and a certain amount of time needs to have passed since the person’s passing before the transfer can be initiated.

Spouses, beneficiaries, administrators, and joint-owners can take the death certificate and the title of the vehicle to their local AR title office and retitle the vehicle. Court orders and attorneys are not required.

Selling the Vehicle of a Deceased Person

If you have already transferred the vehicle’s title, you can sell the vehicle of a deceased person, in the same manner, you would sell a used car. If the executor or beneficiary wants to sell the car after a person passes away, they do not need to get the vehicle’s title transferred prior to selling the vehicle.

Instead of transferring the vehicle’s title, you can put the car up for sale. Once someone wants to buy the vehicle, the executor or beneficiary needs to sign the title and provide their role (executor for [deceased person’s name] and name. The buyer will then be responsible for getting the vehicle’s title transferred.

Additional registration fees may be required depending on the vehicle’s status. All the necessary fees will be determined after you submit your application to your local OMV. If the vehicle was not registered by the deceased, the new vehicle owner is responsible for paying any registration fees or penalties.

Transferring a Title After a Lease Buyout

In order to change the name on a vehicle’s title after a lease buyout once you purchase a vehicle from a leasing company, the vehicle title must be reissued in your name. To transfer a vehicle title, you must:

Sign the AR vehicle title (seller and buyer)
Complete an Official Release Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315) and Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313) if required.
Take the title to your local AR Office of Motor Vehicles office with the payment for the necessary vehicle title transfer fees.

Make sure you have the required documentation and payment for all applicable fees before visiting your local Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles.

How to Transfer Ownership of a Car Without a Title in Arkansas

In order to transfer ownership of a vehicle without a title in Arkansas, you need to visit your local Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration office and provide:

The Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381). The last title owner must sign the title or list its multiple owners.
Have the lien holder file a Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315)
Pay the $10 fee for a duplicate Arkansas vehicle title

Other items that may be necessary include:

Valid driver’s license or ID card
License plate number
Vehicle’s VIN, make, model, and year
Vehicle’s registration proof of ownership
All lien details and power of attorney

Some of the listed items may not be necessary, but it’s a good idea to have them in case you need to process other items at an AR OMV, especially if you’re making corrections to vehicle documents.

If you’re replacing your vehicle’s title in person, you need to:

Locate the nearest AR OMV
Provide a valid ID (proof of ID)
Provide proof of vehicle ownership
Submit the form
Pay the application fee

The Arkansas title replacement request is processed on-site, but it may take until the following day to receive it. You need to make sure your license information is correct to avoid accidentally sending your forms to the wrong address. You should receive your duplicate Arkansas title in 2 to 3 weeks in the mail.

Can I Gift a Car to a Family Member?

Arkansas residents who received a vehicle as a gift or from a family member who resides in AR, you will need to provide the following documents to complete an auto title transfer of ownership:

A completed Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315)
The vehicle’s title (Make sure the former owner completes, signs, and dates the title as the “seller”. You must also complete the same information on the title as the “buyer”.)
An odometer disclosure statement (if the vehicle is less than 20 years old) found on the back of the title or include a Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313) only if the control number listed on the title is less than 3003001.
A bill of sale provided on the back of the vehicle title or provide a separate document if the control number on the back of the title is 3003001 or greater. The Bill of Sale/Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 10-313)
A completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381)

Make sure you contact the Arkansas OMV to confirm the documents that are required. Visit your local Arkansas State Revenue Office with the necessary paperwork and payment for the title transfer fees to complete the vehicle title transfer process.

Transferring a Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title

When you change residences from one state to another, you are required to transfer the vehicle’s title to your new state of residence. Changing a vehicle’s title to another state, such as Arkansas, may require additional steps, such as completing a vehicle identification number (VIN) verification and obtaining liability car insurance for Arkansas. If you’re transferring car pink slips that offer exemption from sales tax to new residents, you may not be required to pay all applicable costs.

To finalize the certificate of title when moving to another state, you need to follow these steps:

Test your vehicle for emissions (if applicable)
Visit the nearest AR OMV location
Complete the corresponding application forms
Provide your out-of-state documents, such as the vehicle title and car registration
Provide proof of a valid AR auto insurance policy, VIN verification, and odometer reading
Pay the applicable car title transfer fees and any other related costs

Some states allow residents to apply for both a vehicle title and car registration during the same transaction. Check to see if Arkansas has the same option for its residents.

Transferring Out-of-State Car Titles with Liens or Lease Agreements

If you’re changing car titles on a vehicle that has a lien, you can complete the process by filling out and mailing a title release form to the lien holders. Once the lien holders receive the form, they will complete their part of the form and send it to the OMV in your new state of residence. You will then need to visit your local AR OMV office and complete the necessary steps to complete the out-of-state car title transfer with a lien. If you pay off the loan before transferring the vehicle’s title, you can avoid transferring the lien holder on your new car title.

If you’re transferring the title on a leased vehicle, you are required to obtain power of attorney from the leasing agency before you can complete the Arkansas auto title transfer process.

Transferring a Vehicle From a State That Does Not Issue Titles

If your current state does not complete vehicle certificate of title transfers, you will not be able to complete this process in your new state of residence. In this situation, you will be required to apply for a new car title with the OMV in your new state of residence.

The pink slip procedure does not apply to this situation, so you are responsible for submitting proof of the transfer of ownership, which can include documents, such as the registration card of the previous owner and the bill of sale. The notarized bill of sale must include essential information, such as the signatures of both the buyer and the seller, and vehicle information, such as the vehicle’s make and year, date of sale, price, and VIN.

Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title

If you’re a resident of Arkansas and need to replace your title, you need to:

Complete a Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381). Keep in mind the previous owner of the title is required to sign this application. If there are multiple vehicle owners, all vehicle owners must sign this form. Owners of the vehicle who are listed on the application and connected by “and,” are required to sign this application. Owners of the vehicle who are connected by “or,” can have either owner sign this application.

Visit your local AR revenue office and submit the required paperwork.
Bring an item or document that identifies the vehicle, such as the vehicle’s license plate number, registration card, or vehicle identification number (VIN)
Provide payment for the $10 replacement title fee. If you are paying the applicable fees by check, make sure the check is made payable to the Department of Finance and Administration. Please allow at least 3 weeks for the vehicle title to arrive in the mail.

Lien Releases

If your vehicle has a lien on the title, you are required to notify the lien holder. Once the lien holder is notified, they will complete the Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315). When the replacement title is complete, the form will be mailed to the AR OMV. If there is a direct lien on your vehicle, you are required to obtain a letter of permission or a lien release from the lien holder.

The lien holder has 10 days to verify the lien release. If the lien holder does not respond within the provided 10-day period, the vehicle title will be issues to the owner. If the lien holder responds to the request stating it is invalid, the Arkansas DFA will mail the replacement title directly to the lien holder.

If you require your Arkansas vehicle title sooner, you can apply for a rush title in person at the following location:

Charles D. Ragland Taxpayer Services Center
Room 1040
1900 West 7th
Little Rock, AR 72201

Out-of-State Residents: Duplicate Title Application

If you currently reside in a state other than Arkansas, you can request a replacement vehicle title by completing a Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381). You can also call (501) 682-7076 and request to have the registration application mailed to you.

Make sure you fill in the address section that indicates where you need the new AR vehicle title to be mailed. You will need the following:

Any required lien releases
A copy of your registration
Payment for the $10 title transfer fee

Once you complete these steps, mail the required documents and payment to:

Department of Finance and Administration
Special License Unit
P.O. Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72201

If you’re paying the applicable vehicle title transfer fees with a check, make the check payable to the Department of Finance and Administration. You should wait at least 3 weeks to receive your vehicle title.

How Much Does a Title Transfer Cost in Arkansas?

The fee to transfer the title is only $10. However, you will likely be paying sales tax, registration fees, and any other local taxes for your registration at the same time.

Where Can I Go to Transfer a Vehicle Title in Arkansas?

There are 4 AR OMV locations you can visit to transfer a vehicle title:

1604 S Pine St Ste F
Cabot, AR 72023

1900 W 7th St Rm 1040
Little Rock, AR 72201

550 Edgewood Dr Ste 580
Maumelle, AR 72113

101 NW 3rd St
Bryant, AR 72022

How to Fill Out the Arkansas Title and Title Transfer Forms

You need to visit an Arkansas OMV office to complete the title and title transfer forms. It’s a good idea to have both parties go to the local clerk’s office to avoid any delays in the title transfer process.

The vehicle title transfer process is the same for the buyer and seller. Here are the steps you need to take:

Obtain the vehicle’s title or request a duplicate title (You may need a lien release from the current owner, or you can provide a lien release to the buyer if you’re the owner of the vehicle).
Complete the forms on the Arkansas certificate of title, including:
- Full legal name and address of the buyer and owner
- Date of sale (month, day, and year)
- Purchase date/price

As the buyer of a vehicle, you need to complete the Arkansas Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381). Both the owner and buyer of the vehicle need to provide their information and signatures. The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin may also need to be provided.

As the seller of a vehicle, you are required to complete a Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle. You can download the form here. You will also need to provide an odometer disclosure if the control number on the title is less than 3003001 or from out of state. A Bill of Sale is required if the control number on the title is less than 3003001 or the vehicle is from out of state.

When you are completing an Arkansas title and title transfer form, make sure you provide the following documentation:

Proof of identification
Proof of a valid AR auto insurance policy

You will also be required to pay the title transfer fee of $10 and state and local taxes. The vehicle title transfer may occur when you are receiving a duplicate title. It’s a good idea to keep copies of the bill of sale for your records.

My Car Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?

A vehicle’s title can be signed but never transferred, which means the seller of the vehicle did not transfer ownership or register the vehicle in their name. A vehicle title that is not transferred is considered an open title, where the seller does not sign their name on their title. If the seller’s name is not on the vehicle title, they are not legally responsible for any taxes, fees, and other situations pertaining to the vehicle. An open title can be the result of many factors, such as an unlicensed private seller.

In the event you lose the vehicle title, the title will be considered open temporarily. You can fix this problem by requesting a duplicate title. The person whose name is on the title is responsible for requesting the duplicate title and signing it over to the buyer, so they can put it in their name.