What you need to do to transfer a title in Arizona

To transfer a vehicle title in Arizona, you submit form REG 14 (process for Arizona Title) to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about 10 business days if you submit by mail, or you can complete it in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office the same day. You do not need to transfer the title before you drive the vehicle home if you have a bill of sale, but the title must be transferred within 10 days of purchase to avoid penalties.

Arizona requires the seller to sign the title in the designated area before you submit it. If the seller cannot sign in person, they can authorize a power of attorney to sign on their behalf, but ADOT will ask for documentation of that authorization. The buyer (you) also signs the title to show acceptance of ownership.

Key Takeaways

  • Form REG 14 and the signed title are the core documents ADOT needs; you also need a bill of sale and payment of the title transfer fee, which varies by vehicle value.
  • You can submit by mail to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division, in person at any Motor Vehicle Division office, or through an authorized third-party service such as a title company or some auto dealers.
  • The title must be transferred within 10 days of purchase; waiting longer can result in late fees and registration penalties.
  • If the seller's name on the title does not match their current legal name, you will need a certified copy of a legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

Documents the seller must provide

The seller must give you the original title signed in the signature section. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from ADOT before the sale, but this adds time to the process. The seller also provides a bill of sale, which is a written record of the sale price and date. Arizona does not have a required bill of sale form, but ADOT recommends using one because it protects both buyer and seller if questions arise later.

If there is a lien on the title (meaning the vehicle is financed), the lienholder's name appears in the lien section. The seller's 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 ask the seller to confirm the lien has been released before you complete the purchase. If the lien is not released, ADOT will not issue a new title in your name.

How to submit your transfer to ADOT

You have three main routes: mail, in-person visit, or a third-party service. By mail, send the signed title, completed form REG 14, your bill of sale, and a check or money order for the transfer fee to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division, 1801 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Processing takes about 10 business days. In person, visit any Motor Vehicle Division office with the same documents and pay by cash, check, or card; you walk out with a receipt and the title arrives by mail within two weeks. By third party, you can use a title company, some auto dealerships, or a notary service; they charge a fee on top of the state transfer fee but handle the paperwork for you.

The transfer fee depends on the vehicle's value. As of 2024, the fee ranges from about $7 to $20 for most used vehicles, but ADOT's website lists the exact amount based on your vehicle's assessed value. If you are unsure of the fee, call ADOT at 602-255-0072 before you mail your payment.

What happens if the seller's name does not match the title

If the seller's legal name has changed since the title was issued—through marriage, divorce, or court order—you need a certified copy of the document that shows the name change. For a marriage, bring a certified marriage certificate. For a divorce, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. For a legal name change, bring the court order. The seller does not have to appear in person, but ADOT will not process the transfer without this documentation.

If the title lists multiple owners and only one is selling, the other owner(s) must sign the title as well, or provide a notarized statement releasing their interest. This protects ADOT and you from future ownership disputes.

Transferring a title when the seller is out of state

If the seller lives outside Arizona, they can still sign the title and mail it to you, or you can arrange for them to sign it in front of a notary public in their state. The notarized signature is accepted by ADOT as proof of authorization. The seller then mails the signed title and any supporting documents to you, and you submit everything to ADOT as if the seller were in Arizona.

Some sellers use a power of attorney to sign on their behalf. If this is the case, the seller must provide you with a notarized power of attorney document that specifically authorizes the agent to sign the title. ADOT will review this document as part of your transfer request.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

If you submit by mail, ADOT processes the transfer in about 10 business days. You will receive a new title in your name by mail; there is no email confirmation. If you submit in person, you receive a receipt when ready and the title arrives within two weeks. If ADOT finds an issue with your documents—such as a missing signature or incorrect fee—they will contact you by phone or mail, and processing pauses until you respond.

Once the new title arrives, check it for errors: your name, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the odometer reading, and any liens should all be correct. If something is wrong, contact ADOT when ready to request a correction. Do not register the vehicle until the title is in your name and error-free.

Common reasons transfers are delayed or rejected

The most common issue is a missing or illegible signature from the seller. ADOT cannot process a title transfer without the seller's signature in the correct location. Another frequent problem is a lien that has not been released; if the title shows a lienholder, ADOT will not issue a new title until that lien is cleared. Incorrect or missing payment also stops the process—make sure your check or money order matches the fee amount for your vehicle's value.

Odometer discrepancies can also trigger a hold. If the odometer reading on the title does not match what you see on the vehicle, or if the title shows "not actual" (meaning the mileage is unknown), ADOT may ask for an explanation. This is a fraud prevention measure and is usually resolved quickly with a written statement from you and the seller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the vehicle before the title is transferred to my name?

Yes, if you have a bill of sale signed by the seller. The bill of sale proves you own the vehicle and can be used as temporary proof of ownership. However, you cannot register the vehicle in Arizona until the title is in your name, so you should not drive it on public roads for more than a few days. Complete the title transfer within 10 days of purchase.

What if the seller lost the title?

The seller can request a duplicate title from ADOT before selling the vehicle to you. They fill out form REG 14, pay a small fee, and receive a duplicate within about 10 business days. If the seller does not have time for this, some title companies can handle the duplicate request as part of your transfer, but this adds time and cost to the process.

Do I need a notary to transfer the title?

No, a notary is not required for a standard title transfer in Arizona if the seller signs in person or mails you the signed title. A notary is only needed if the seller is out of state and cannot sign the title in front of you, or if a power of attorney is being used to sign on the seller's behalf.

What if there is a lien on the title and the seller has not paid it off?

Do not complete the purchase until the lien is released. Ask the seller to contact their lender and confirm the lien will be removed before the sale closes. Once the lien is released, the seller's lender sends a release document to ADOT, and the title is updated. You can then proceed with the transfer.

How long does it take to get the new title after I submit the transfer?

If you submit by mail, allow 10 business days for processing plus mail delivery time, so about two to three weeks total. If you submit in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, you receive a receipt the same day and the title arrives by mail within two weeks. Third-party services vary, but most deliver within the same timeframe.