Arizona Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Arizona DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 15 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 5.6% · Private party sales pay a flat $20 vehicle license transfer fee instead of sales tax |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required · Out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection at an AZ MVD office or authorized third party before titling. |
| Lien release form | Title (lien section) |
Arizona title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (Title (lien section)) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Arizona requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Complete VIN inspection — Arizona requires VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles. Schedule with Arizona DMV or a licensed inspector. Out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection at an AZ MVD office or authorized third party before titling.
- 5Buyer files at Arizona DMV — within 15 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Arizona DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — 5.6% sales/use tax on the sale price plus any local surtax, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Arizona DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Arizona DMV the same day as the sale.
Arizona lien release procedure
- Lienholder completes the lien release section on the back of the existing title.
- Owner submits the released title with a title application at an AZ MVD office or Authorized Third Party.
- Pay the title fee and receive a new title without lien notation.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Arizona estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Arizona DMV.
Need a Arizona bill of sale to complete the transfer?
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Create Arizona Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Arizona
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Arizona?▾
Arizona requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 15 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax.
What does a Arizona title transfer cost?▾
Arizona charges 5.6% state sales/use tax on the transfer price plus any local surtax. Private party sales pay a flat $20 vehicle license transfer fee instead of sales tax The title fee itself is typically $15-$50 depending on vehicle class.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Arizona?▾
Yes — Arizona requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Arizona DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms.
What if there's a lien on the title in Arizona?▾
In Arizona, the lender must complete Title (lien section) confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Arizona DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Arizona?▾
Arizona inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Arizona DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party.
Source: Arizona DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07