What you need to transfer a title in Arizona

Arizona requires a bill of sale and the vehicle's current title certificate when you buy or sell a car. The bill of sale is a document signed by both the seller and buyer that records the sale price, vehicle details, and the date of transfer. You'll submit this along with the title to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division to officially register the vehicle in the new owner's name.

The bill of sale itself is not a government form — you can write one on plain paper or use a template. However, it must include specific information: the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, year, odometer reading, sale price, date of sale, and signatures from both parties. Arizona does not require the bill of sale to be notarized, but having it notarized adds legal weight if a dispute arises later.

The current title certificate must be signed by the seller in the designated area. If the title has a lien (meaning a lender still owns the vehicle), the lender's release or consent may be required before the transfer is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • A bill of sale in Arizona must include the VIN, vehicle details, sale price, date, and signatures from both buyer and seller, but does not have to be notarized.
  • You submit the signed bill of sale and the current title certificate together to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division to transfer ownership.
  • The seller must sign the title in the correct location; if there is a lien, the lender must release it or consent to the transfer.
  • Arizona charges a title transfer fee that varies based on the vehicle's value; you can find the current fee on the ADOT website.
  • The new owner has 10 days from the date of purchase to register the vehicle and transfer the title, or face a late fee.

What information must be on the bill of sale

The bill of sale should clearly state the vehicle identification number (VIN), which appears on the title and on the vehicle itself (usually on the dashboard or driver's side door jamb). Include the year, make, model, and body style. Write down the odometer reading as it appears on the vehicle at the time of sale — this protects both parties and is required by Arizona law.

Record the sale price in words and numbers. Even if the vehicle is a gift, write "gift" or "$0" rather than leaving the price blank; this prevents confusion about whether a transaction occurred. Add the date of sale and the full names and addresses of both the seller and buyer. Both parties must sign and print their names. If either party is a business or organization, the authorized representative must sign on behalf of that entity.

You do not need to include the vehicle's title number on the bill of sale, though it does not hurt. You also do not need to list the vehicle's color, though doing so can help prevent fraud or mix-ups if multiple vehicles are involved.

How to submit the bill of sale and title to ADOT

The buyer takes the signed bill of sale and the seller's signed title certificate to an ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office or an authorized third-party office. Arizona has Motor Vehicle Division offices in most counties; you can find the nearest one on the ADOT website. Some counties also allow you to mail in the documents, though in-person submission is faster and allows staff to catch errors on the spot.

Bring the original title certificate (not a copy), the signed bill of sale, proof of insurance, and a valid photo ID. You will also need to pay the title transfer fee, which is based on the vehicle's value. The fee schedule is on the ADOT website and changes yearly. Bring a check or be prepared to pay by card, depending on the office's payment methods.

The Motor Vehicle Division will verify that the title is clear (or that any lien has been released), check that the bill of sale matches the title, and process the transfer. You will receive a new title certificate in the mail within one to two weeks. During that time, you can drive the vehicle with a temporary registration receipt issued at the office.

What happens if the title has a lien

If the seller still owes money on the vehicle, the title will show a lien holder's name (usually a bank or credit union). The lien holder must release the lien before the title can be transferred to the buyer. This is done by the lender, not by the seller or buyer.

The seller should contact their lender and request a lien release or payoff letter. The lender will either provide a release document to be included with the title, or will send the release directly to ADOT. Some lenders require the loan to be paid off before releasing the lien; others will release it once the sale is documented. Ask the lender what their process is before the sale takes place.

If the lender does not release the lien in time, the Motor Vehicle Division will not process the title transfer. The buyer should not hand over payment until the lien release is confirmed in writing or the lender has notified ADOT directly.

Timing and late fees for title transfer

Arizona law requires the buyer to transfer the title within 10 days of the purchase date. This means submitting the bill of sale and title to ADOT within 10 days, not receiving the new title certificate. If you miss this important date, ADOT will charge a late fee on top of the regular transfer fee.

The 10-day clock starts on the date written on the bill of sale. If you buy a vehicle on a Friday, you have until the following Friday to submit the paperwork. Weekends and holidays do not extend the important date. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, you have until the next business day.

Submitting the paperwork early is the safest approach. Many buyers submit within a few days of purchase to avoid any risk of missing the important date and to get their temporary registration receipt right away.

Private sale versus dealer sale

When you buy from a private seller, you and the seller create and sign the bill of sale together. When you buy from a licensed dealer, the dealer usually prepares the bill of sale or a sales contract that serves the same purpose. Either way, the document must contain the same required information: VIN, vehicle details, sale price, date, and both signatures.

Dealer sales often move faster because the dealer handles much of the paperwork and may even submit the title transfer on your behalf. However, you are still responsible for confirming that the transfer is submitted within 10 days. Private sales require more coordination between buyer and seller, but the process is the same once the bill of sale is signed.

In both cases, the buyer should keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for their records. This protects you if a dispute arises later about the sale price, condition, or date of transfer.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not leave the sale price blank or write "as is" instead of a dollar amount. ADOT needs a clear price to process the transfer and to calculate any applicable taxes. Do not sign the title before you are ready to transfer it; once signed, the title is considered released and cannot be re-signed by the same owner.

Do not assume the seller will submit the paperwork on your behalf. As the buyer, you are responsible for getting the bill of sale and title to ADOT within 10 days. Do not forget to bring proof of insurance when you submit the documents; ADOT will not process the transfer without it. Do not mail the original title unless you are certain the office accepts mailed submissions; losing the original in the mail can delay the transfer by weeks.

Do not ignore a lien on the title. If the title shows a lien holder, the transfer cannot be completed until that lien is released. Confirm the lien release in writing before you hand over payment to the seller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write the bill of sale on any piece of paper?

Yes. Arizona does not require a specific form or format for the bill of sale. You can write it on plain paper, print a template from the internet, or use one provided by a dealer. The key is that it includes all required information (VIN, vehicle details, sale price, date, and signatures) and is signed by both parties.

Do I need to have the bill of sale notarized?

No, notarization is not required by Arizona law. However, having a notary public witness and stamp the bill of sale adds legal proof that both parties signed it and can be helpful if a dispute arises later. Some people choose to notarize for this reason, but it is optional.

What if I buy a vehicle but do not transfer the title right away?

You have 10 days from the purchase date to submit the bill of sale and title to ADOT. If you miss this important date, ADOT will charge a late fee in addition to the regular transfer fee. The longer you wait, the more you owe. You also cannot legally register the vehicle in your name until the title is transferred.

Can the seller mail the signed title to me instead of meeting in person?

Yes, the seller can mail the signed title to you. However, you must still bring the original title (not a copy) to ADOT to complete the transfer. If the title is lost or damaged in the mail, you will need to request a duplicate title from ADOT, which delays the process. Using a find mailing method or meeting in person is safer.

What if the bill of sale and title have different sale prices?

Make sure the sale price on the bill of sale matches any price shown on the title or related documents. If there is a discrepancy, ADOT may reject the transfer or ask for clarification. Both documents should reflect the same transaction. If you discover a mismatch, contact ADOT before submitting to avoid delays.