What you need to do to transfer a car title in Arizona
To transfer a car title in Arizona, you must submit an process for Title and Registration (Form 44-131) to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about 10 business days if you submit in person at an ADOT office, or 15 to 20 business days by mail. You cannot transfer a title online in Arizona — you must go through ADOT directly, either in person or by mail.
The person transferring the title (the seller) and the person receiving it (the buyer) do not both have to be present, but the seller must sign the title document itself. If you are buying a car from a private party, the seller signs the back of the existing title. If you are buying from a dealer, the dealer handles most of the paperwork and submits it to ADOT on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete Form 44-131 and submit it to ADOT in person or by mail, along with the signed title, bill of sale, and payment.
- The seller must sign the back of the title document before you submit anything; ADOT will not accept an unsigned title.
- Proof of ownership means the current title document, a manufacturer's certificate of origin (for new vehicles), or a court order in rare cases.
- ADOT offices are located in Phoenix, Tucson, and several other cities; you can find the nearest one on the ADOT website and submit by mail if travel is not practical.
- If you buy from a dealer, the dealer typically submits the paperwork to ADOT for you, but you should confirm this before leaving the lot.
Documents the seller must provide and sign
The seller must give you the current title document and sign the back of it in the designated signature line. This is the most critical step — ADOT will reject any title that arrives unsigned or signed in the wrong place. The seller should sign in blue or black ink, not pencil. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from ADOT before the sale, but this adds time and cost to the process.
You also need a bill of sale, which is a written record of the sale that includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date, and the signatures of both buyer and seller. Arizona does not have a required bill of sale form, but ADOT provides a sample on its website. A handwritten bill of sale is acceptable as long as it contains all the required information. This document protects both parties and gives ADOT a record of the transaction.
If the title has a lien (meaning the seller still owes money on the vehicle), the lienholder's name appears on the title. The lienholder must release the lien before the title can be transferred to you. This usually happens when the seller pays off the loan, and the lender sends a lien release document to ADOT or to the seller. Do not accept a vehicle with an active lien unless you plan to pay off the loan yourself — you cannot register it in your name until the lien is gone.
What to submit to ADOT and where
Gather the signed title, the completed Form 44-131, the bill of sale, and a check or money order for the title transfer fee. Arizona charges a flat fee for title transfers; the exact amount depends on the vehicle type and whether you are also registering it. Check the ADOT website or call your local ADOT office for the current fee, as it changes periodically.
You can submit these documents in person at any ADOT office or by mail to the address listed on Form 44-131. In-person submission is faster — you typically receive your new title within 10 business days. By mail, allow 15 to 20 business days. If you submit by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so ADOT can return your new title to you. Do not send cash; use a check or money order only.
ADOT offices are located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, and several other cities. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the ADOT website. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead to ask about wait times can help you plan your visit. If you cannot reach an ADOT office easily, mailing your documents is a valid option and avoids a trip.
Odometer readings and title history
The odometer reading must be recorded on the title or on a separate odometer disclosure form. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, Arizona law requires the seller to provide an accurate odometer reading. If the seller cannot provide the reading (for example, if the odometer is broken), they must sign a statement saying so. ADOT will not process a title without this information.
Check the title for any notations about the vehicle's history — for example, whether it has been salvaged, rebuilt, flooded, or branded as a lemon. These notations stay with the title and affect the vehicle's value and insurability. If you see a notation you do not understand, ask the seller or a mechanic what it means before you complete the purchase. You cannot remove these notations from the title yourself; only ADOT can do that, and only under specific circumstances.
Timeline and what happens after you submit
Once ADOT receives your documents, they verify that the title is signed, the form is complete, and the fee is correct. If everything is in order, they issue a new title in your name. If something is missing or incorrect, ADOT will contact you — usually by phone or mail — and ask you to resubmit or provide additional information. This can add 5 to 10 days to the process, so double-check your paperwork before you mail it.
Your new title will be mailed to the address you provided on Form 44-131. Keep this title in a safe place — you will need it if you sell the vehicle later, register it in another state, or refinance a loan. If your title is lost or damaged after ADOT issues it, you can request a duplicate from ADOT for a small fee.
When a dealer handles the transfer for you
If you buy a car from a licensed Arizona dealer, the dealer typically submits the title transfer paperwork to ADOT on your behalf. You will sign the title and Form 44-131 at the dealership, and the dealer sends everything to ADOT. This is faster and simpler than doing it yourself, but you should confirm with the dealer that they will handle it before you leave the lot. Ask them for a timeline — most dealers submit within a few days of the sale.
Even when a dealer handles the transfer, you are responsible for making sure it is completed. If you do not receive your new title within 20 business days, contact the dealer and ask for a status update. If the dealer does not respond or says they have not submitted the paperwork, you can submit it yourself using the same process described above.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common reason ADOT rejects a title transfer is an unsigned or incorrectly signed title. The seller must sign in the signature line on the back of the title, not elsewhere. If the signature is in the wrong place, ADOT will return the entire submission and ask you to resubmit with a correctly signed title.
Another frequent mistake is submitting an incomplete bill of sale or one that does not match the information on the title. Make sure the VIN on the bill of sale matches the VIN on the title exactly. Mismatched VINs will cause ADOT to reject the submission.
Do not forget to include the fee. ADOT will not process a title transfer without payment. If you are unsure of the current fee, call your local ADOT office before you submit — it is better to include a slightly larger check than to have your submission returned for insufficient payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title if the seller is out of state?
Yes. The seller does not have to be in Arizona to transfer the title. They must sign the back of the title and send it to you, along with a bill of sale. You then submit both documents to ADOT. Make sure the signature is in blue or black ink and is clearly legible. If you are concerned about the authenticity of the signature, ask the seller to have it notarized.
What if the title has two owners listed?
Both owners must sign the back of the title for the transfer to be valid. If one owner refuses to sign or cannot be located, ADOT cannot issue a new title in your name. In rare cases, you may need a court order to transfer the title. Consult an attorney if you encounter this situation.
How long does it take to get my new title after I submit?
If you submit in person at an ADOT office, you typically receive your new title within 10 business days. If you submit by mail, allow 15 to 20 business days. Times may vary depending on how busy ADOT is and whether your submission is complete and correct.
Do I need to register the vehicle at the same time I transfer the title?
No, but most people do both at the same time because they are submitted to ADOT together. You can transfer the title without registering the vehicle, but you cannot drive it on public roads until it is registered. If you are buying the vehicle but do not plan to drive it when ready, you can transfer the title first and register it later.
What if the seller lost the title?
The seller must request a duplicate title from ADOT before the sale can be completed. They can do this by submitting Form 44-131 and paying a duplicate title fee. This process takes 10 to 20 business days, so plan accordingly. Once the seller receives the duplicate, they sign it and send it to you, and you proceed with the normal transfer process.