What Do I Need To Transfer a Car Title in Arizona?
Published September 1, 2023
Most transactions that involve a car also involve a car title. The main difference between one case and another is what you do with the car title. For example, if you’re buying a car from a dealership, you must obtain a copy of the car title from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Obtaining a car title from the DMV when purchasing a car from a dealership is pretty simple. The dealer will send the title application to the DMV; then, the DMV will send the title to you.
Put simply; you don’t need to do anything as it’s automatic. However, the same cannot be said if you’re the one selling the car or giving the car to someone as a gift.
In this case, you must do the legwork to transfer the car title.
As one might expect, it’ll be an arduous process, so why go through all the trouble?
Why Should I Transfer My Car Title?
If you don’t transfer your car title despite having sold or given the car, you would still technically own the vehicle. So, wouldn’t it be beneficial if you didn’t go through all the trouble of transferring your title?
Setting ethics aside, yes, such a move does offer several benefits.
However, at the same time, there are consequences to doing so.
Let’s say you have a car and recently gave it to your niece as a gift. You assumed you transferred the car title since she’s not asking for it anyway.
Several weeks later, you find out you must pay hundreds of dollars in ticket fines. It turns out your niece committed a ton of parking violations. Usually, she will be responsible for paying for them, but since your name is what appears in the car title, you’re legally responsible.
This is one example of the consequences of not transferring your car title. If this convinces you to continue your decision, let’s proceed to the requirements for a title transfer in AZ.
Requirements Transfer a Car Title in Arizona
The requirements you need to gather to transfer a car title in Arizona include the following:
1. Title and Registration Application
This form must be filled out when transferring a car title. It includes important information about the vehicle, such as the VIN (vehicle identification number), make, year, model, and odometer reading. This form ensures that the necessary details are recorded accurately during the transfer process
2. Completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
This specific form is required when transferring an out-of-state vehicle title. It provides detailed information about the vehicle being transferred from another state. The form helps ensure that the title transfer process complies with Arizona regulations.
3. Signed or notarized vehicle title
The vehicle title is an essential document that proves ownership of the vehicle. In order to transfer the title, it must be signed by both parties involved in the transfer (seller and buyer). Alternatively, the title can be notarized, which involves having a licensed notary public witness the signing of the title and affix their official seal to it.
4. Lien release
A lien release form is required if there is an active lien on the vehicle, meaning there is a loan or financial obligation against it. This document confirms that the lien has been satisfied, allowing for the transfer of the title to the new owner.
5. Additional documents
Additional documents may be required depending on the title transfer circumstances. This could include bills of sale, which serve as proof of purchase and payment for the vehicle. There is also the possibility of needing a Title Transfer Bill of Sale form (Form 38-1306), which provides further details about the sale transaction.
Once you have these, the remaining steps should be easy to follow.
How Do I Transfer a Car Title in Arizona?
To finalize the car title transfer, you need to follow these steps:
- Have over the signed and notarized car title and the lien release to the buyer.
- Let the buyer sign the filled-out Title Transfer Bill of Sale 38-1306.
- Visit your local Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office.
- Submit the Title Transfer Bill of Sale 38-1306. They may ask you to submit an odometer reading of the car if it’s from 2011 or later. So, make sure you prepare it beforehand.
Note: You must pay the appropriate fees during your visit to their office.
- Once MVD processes the transaction, you must submit a Sold Notice. You can do so by creating an account on AZMVDNow.gov and clicking Sold Notice somewhere on the site.
Note: A Sold Notice informs MVD and all involved agencies that you have already transferred the car’s ownership to another person. This frees you from any responsibility over that car, such as the responsibility to pay for damages it will cause or tickets it will incur.
Though the car title transfer is complete, you must still do a few things, like removing the license plate. Doing so will eliminate your responsibilities over the car you gave or sold.
You can either put the license plate on your new car or get a refund if you don’t intend to.
There’s a 30-day period wherein you can request a refund. If this method is too challenging for you, there’s yet another method that’s perhaps easier. You need only to do the following:
- Log in to the AZMVDNow.gov website.
- Check if your car qualifies for the eTitle Transfer.
- Fill out a form that asks for the vehicle’s information.
- Send the form to the buyer.
- Wait for their approval.
The Sold Notice will automatically be placed on the vehicle. All you have to do at this point is remove the license plate. This method is much easier, but the service only applies to specific individuals.
To check if you’re eligible, read this eligibility list.
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About The Author
Get inspired and educated by Rei Bayucca, an experienced writer with a knack for thought-provoking articles. With a wealth of industry knowledge, Rei delivers expertly crafted content that will keep you coming back for more.
