How To Sell a Car in Arizona
A private sale of a motor vehicle in Arizona is completed through a valid transfer of title and a timely notice to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). The controlling rule is A.R.S. § 28-2058, and the MVD directs the seller to sign the title, deliver ownership documents to the buyer, and submit a sold notice after the transfer.
What You Need To Know Before Selling a Car in Arizona
Title Law and Ownership Requirements
Arizona treats the certificate of title as the central ownership record for ordinary highway vehicles. Arizona title records are commonly maintained electronically, and a transfer generally requires a properly assigned title or, for an Arizona-titled vehicle, a state vehicle title transfer process using the documents accepted by MVD.
Vehicles Exempt from Title Requirements
Arizona does not identify a general age-based title exemption for ordinary passenger vehicles used on public roads. In practice, a privately sold Arizona-titled car, pickup, van, or motorcycle ordinarily must be transferred through the MVD title process, and the seller should confirm that the record can be transferred before delivering the vehicle.
Existing Liens
A current lien must be addressed before a clear transfer can be completed. A lien must be paid off, or the parties must have written permission from the lienholder, before the title can be transferred.
Emissions and Inspection Requirements
Arizona does not impose a universal pre-sale inspection for every private transaction, but emissions compliance can affect registration. The state’s emissions testing program requires testing in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, including certain commuters, with exemptions for some newer vehicles, certain older model-year vehicles, and electric vehicles. Separate VIN-based vehicle inspections apply in special title situations, including title-only requests, bonded titles, some out-of-state or out-of-country vehicles without sufficient proof of title or registration, and restored salvage vehicles.
Documents Required To Sell a Car in Arizona
Certificate of Title
The seller must assign title to the buyer at the time of delivery, as required by A.R.S. § 28-2058. If the ownership record lists more than one owner, signature requirements depend on the legal status shown on the title or transfer paperwork. Arizona’s Form 38-1306 explains that one signature is sufficient for “OR,” while both signatures are required for “AND” and “AND/OR.”
Bill of Sale
Arizona provides a state Form 38-1306, titled “Title Transfer Bill of Sale,” for vehicles currently titled in Arizona. The form captures the VIN, vehicle description, Arizona brand information, current lienholder, sale date, sale amount, buyer and seller identification, and odometer certification. It also states that sequential bills of sale will not be accepted.
Odometer Disclosure Statement
Mileage disclosure is part of the transfer process for non-exempt vehicles. Under A.R.S. § 28-2058, the seller must provide an odometer disclosure statement in the form prescribed by the director. The statute exempts vehicles that fall within the listed age categories, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,000 pounds or more, vehicles that are not self-propelled, certain federal-agency sales, and certain new vehicles purchased for resale.
Lien Release
If a lien has been satisfied, the seller should obtain the release documentation before the transaction is presented for title work. Adding or deleting a lien requires a title application, the most current title, a $4 title fee, and a lien release that identifies the vehicle, states the payoff date, shows that the lien is paid, and bears the full signature of the lienholder or agent in the form.
Other State-Specific Documents
The buyer’s title application is filed on Form 96-0236, the Arizona Title and Registration Application. The same form is used for duplicate title requests and lien-related title changes. For special cases, MVD may require additional supporting documents, such as power-of-attorney papers or trust and estate representative documentation, as noted on Form 96-0236.
How To Transfer a Car Title in Arizona
Step 1: Complete the Title Assignment
The seller should sign the assigned title exactly as the ownership record requires. If the vehicle qualifies for electronic processing, Arizona also allows electronic title transfer through MVD’s online system. A vehicle with an unresolved lien is not eligible for eTitle transfer, so lien status should be resolved first.
Step 2: Prepare the Bill of Sale
For an Arizona-titled vehicle, the parties may use Form 38-1306 as the state bill of sale and transfer record. The form is especially useful when the parties want a detailed written record of the transaction, including branding, lien information, sale price, and signatures.
Step 3: Complete the Odometer Disclosure
The odometer statement should be completed at the time of transfer if the vehicle is not exempt. Arizona’s transfer statute requires the seller to provide the mileage disclosure, and the state bill of sale also contains a mileage certification section for use in qualifying transactions under A.R.S. § 28-2058.
Step 4: Deliver the Ownership Documents to the Buyer
At delivery, the seller should provide the assigned title and any supporting records required for MVD processing, including the bill of sale and, if applicable, the lien release. Arizona also directs the seller to remove the license plate before the vehicle leaves the seller’s possession.
Step 5: Buyer Applies for Title and Registration
The buyer must submit the ownership documents, the completed Form 96-0236, and all required fees to MVD or an authorized third party. A title application must be filed within 15 days of purchase, and A.R.S. § 28-2058 requires the acquiring owner to apply within that same 15-day period. If registration is required, the buyer must also obtain it and display a temporary plate, another permit, or a valid plate, as prescribed by the MVD, until the transfer is recorded.
Title Transfer Fee Schedule in Arizona
The following state fees may apply to a private-sale title transfer:
| Transaction | State Fee |
|---|---|
| Transfer transaction | Varies |
| Title only | $4.00 |
| Duplicate title | $4.00 |
| Lien filing only – vehicle/trailer | $4.00 |
| Level II inspection, if required | $20.00 |
| Arizona assigned number issued during Level II, if applicable | $5.00 |
| Level III inspection, if required | $50.00 |
Registration charges, vehicle license tax, plate fees, and emissions-related compliance costs may also apply, depending on the vehicle and the buyer’s circumstances.
Sales Tax on Private Vehicle Sales
Arizona generally does not impose a vehicle use tax on a casual private-party sale. Documentation showing a private-party purchase should be presented at registration.
That rule differs from purchases made from out-of-state dealers, which can trigger Arizona state and city use tax when the vehicle is registered in Arizona. For a true private-party sale, however, the Department of Revenue’s published guidance indicates that the transaction is ordinarily not taxed as a retail vehicle sale.
What To Do After Selling a Car in Arizona
After the transfer, the seller should file a Sold Notice within 10 days. Arizona’s official form states that the notice protects the seller from liability for tickets, accidents, and similar matters after the sale. The form requests the VIN, year, make, plate number, buyer name and address, date sold, and seller information.
Plate handling is also important in Arizona. The sold notice form states that the license plate must be removed from the vehicle and kept by the prior owner, and A.R.S. § 28-2058 provides that after transfer, the owner must transfer the plates, surrender them to the department or an authorized third party, or submit an affidavit of plate destruction within 30 days.
Insurance records should be updated promptly after the sale is completed and reported. Arizona’s A.R.S. § 28-4135 requires a motor vehicle operated on a highway in the state to be covered by current financial responsibility, so the seller should revise or cancel coverage associated with the sold vehicle after ownership has been transferred and the vehicle is no longer part of the seller’s insured inventory.
It is advisable to retain copies of the assigned title, bill of sale, lien release, and sold notice confirmation. Those records can help resolve later questions about ownership, plate disposition, insurance, or post-sale liability under the official Sold Notice process.
Contact Information
Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
1655 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 255-0072
Official Website: Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
