The basic steps to transfer a car title in Arizona
To transfer a car title in Arizona, you and the seller must complete an process for Title and Registration (Form 44-132), sign it in front of a notary public, and submit it to your county's Motor Vehicle Division office along with the current title, proof of insurance, and the transfer fee. The process takes about two weeks once the Motor Vehicle Division receives your paperwork. You cannot legally drive the car until the new title is issued in your name.
Arizona requires the title transfer to happen within ten days of purchase. If you miss this important date, you may face a late fee and your registration may be delayed. The Motor Vehicle Division will mail your new title to the address you provide on the process.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete Form 44-132 with the seller and have both signatures notarized before submitting to the Motor Vehicle Division.
- The current title, proof of insurance, and the transfer fee (currently $12 for a standard title transfer) must accompany your process.
- Arizona law requires the title transfer to be filed within ten days of the purchase date, or you will owe a late fee.
- Processing takes approximately two weeks; you can check the status of your process online through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website.
What documents you need before you go
The seller must provide the original title document, which shows their name as the registered owner. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from the Motor Vehicle Division before the sale, though this adds time to the process. You will also need the bill of sale, which documents the purchase price and date — this protects both you and the seller if questions arise later.
Bring proof of Arizona auto insurance with you or have it ready to submit. The Motor Vehicle Division will not process your title transfer without current insurance. If you are financing the vehicle, bring the loan agreement or a letter from your lender stating the loan amount and the lender's name and address, since the lender's name will appear on the title.
You will need a valid Arizona driver's license or state ID. If you are not a resident of Arizona, bring your out-of-state driver's license and proof of residency in Arizona (such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days).
Finding a notary and completing the process
Both you and the seller must sign the process for Title and Registration (Form 44-132) in front of a notary public. The notary verifies your identities and witnesses your signatures. You can find notaries at most banks, credit unions, UPS stores, and some libraries. Some charge a small fee (typically $5 to $15 per signature). The Motor Vehicle Division offices themselves do not provide notary services, so you must arrange this separately.
Fill out Form 44-132 completely before you meet the notary. Section 1 asks for the seller's information; Section 2 asks for your information as the buyer. If there is a lien (a lender's claim on the vehicle), the lender's information goes in Section 3. Sign and date the form, then have the notary witness and stamp both signatures. The notary will add their seal and signature, which makes the document legally binding.
Where to submit your paperwork and what it costs
Submit your completed, notarized Form 44-132 to the Motor Vehicle Division office in the county where you live. Arizona has Motor Vehicle Division offices in all 15 counties. You can submit in person, by mail, or through an authorized third-party service (such as a title service company or some car dealerships). Submitting by mail takes longer because the Motor Vehicle Division must receive and process your paperwork, so expect an additional week if you mail it.
The title transfer fee is $12. If you are also registering the vehicle for the first time in Arizona, registration fees vary based on the vehicle's weight and age. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card at in-person offices; by mail, checks and money orders are accepted. Some offices accept online payment if you submit electronically.
If you miss the ten-day important date, Arizona charges a late fee of $10 plus $1 for each day past the important date. This fee is in addition to the standard $12 transfer fee.
What happens if the title has a lien or is held by a lender
If the seller financed the vehicle, the lender's name appears on the title as a lienholder. The lender must release the lien before the title can transfer to you. This usually happens automatically when the seller pays off the loan, but you should confirm the lien has been released before you complete your purchase.
Ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release letter or a title release. The lender will either mail the release directly to the Motor Vehicle Division or provide it to the seller. When you submit your title transfer process, include the lien release letter if the Motor Vehicle Division has not already received it. Without proof that the lien is released, your title will be issued with the lender's name still on it, and you will not have full ownership.
Tracking your new title and what to do if it does not arrive
The Motor Vehicle Division will mail your new title to the address you listed on Form 44-132. Standard processing takes about two weeks from the date they receive your process. You can check the status online through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth.
If your title does not arrive within three weeks, contact the Motor Vehicle Division office in your county. Bring your receipt or confirmation number if you have it. If the process was lost or rejected, the Motor Vehicle Division will tell you what is missing and allow you to resubmit. If the title was mailed but lost in transit, the Motor Vehicle Division can issue a replacement.
Do not drive the vehicle as the registered owner until you receive the new title. If you are stopped by law enforcement before the title arrives, show the officer your receipt from the Motor Vehicle Division and the bill of sale to prove you own the vehicle legally.
Transferring a title if the seller is deceased or the title is out of state
If the seller has passed away, the title must first transfer to the estate or the person who inherits the vehicle. This requires a court order or a death certificate and proof of inheritance (such as a will or probate document). Contact the Motor Vehicle Division in the county where the deceased lived to learn what documents are needed. The process takes longer because the Motor Vehicle Division must verify the inheritance before issuing a new title.
If you are moving to Arizona and the vehicle is currently titled in another state, you must transfer the out-of-state title to Arizona. Bring the out-of-state title, proof of Arizona residency, and proof of insurance to your local Motor Vehicle Division office. Arizona will issue a new title in your name. Some states require you to surrender the out-of-state title; others mail it back to you. The Motor Vehicle Division will tell you what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the car before the new title arrives?
No. Arizona law requires the title to be in your name before you can legally register and drive the vehicle. You can show a receipt from the Motor Vehicle Division and the bill of sale if stopped, but you should not drive regularly until the title arrives. If you need to move the vehicle before the title is ready, contact the Motor Vehicle Division about obtaining a temporary permit.
What if the seller and I cannot both go to the notary at the same time?
The seller and you must both sign Form 44-132 in front of a notary, but you do not have to be present at the same time. The seller can sign first, then you can sign later, as long as both signatures are notarized. Each of you will need to pay the notary fee separately. Make sure the notary dates both signatures on the same form.
Do I need to register the vehicle at the same time I transfer the title?
No, but you must do both within ten days of purchase. You can transfer the title first and register later, or handle both at the Motor Vehicle Division office in one visit. If you do both at once, bring proof of insurance and your vehicle's VIN. Registration fees are separate from the title transfer fee.
What if I bought the car from a private seller and they cannot find the title?
The seller can request a duplicate title from the Motor Vehicle Division before selling the car to you. This takes about two weeks. If the seller does not have time, you can still purchase the vehicle, but you will need to file for a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or a court order proving ownership. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division in the county where the vehicle is currently titled to learn which option applies.
Can I transfer the title online?
Arizona does not offer full online title transfer for private sales. You must submit Form 44-132 with original notarized signatures either in person or by mail. Some authorized third-party services offer to handle the paperwork for you, but they charge a fee on top of the Motor Vehicle Division's $12 transfer fee.