Title & Registration

Electronic Title Transfers

The Division provides several different ways to transfer title, depending on the situation.

• Abandoned Vehicle Electronic Title Transfer
  • Available to towing companies and are processed through the towing company's business suite on ServiceArizona.com
• Dealer Reassignment Transfer (DRT)
  • Available to eligible Arizona dealers to transfer from customer to dealer and dealer to dealer through a web-based transaction
  • View the Dealer Transaction Types topic > Selling a Vehicle for Dealership section, or Forms & Signatures topic > Various Bills of Sale section for more information
• Electronic Title Transfer (ETT)
  • Available to individuals to transfer to another individual on AZMVDNow.gov
  • View the Electronic Title Transfer (ETT) section within this topic

Electronic Liens

• Electronic Lien and Title (ELT)
  • Vehicle title records with liens will have an ELT record that will electronically transmit vehicle title and lien information to the authorized lienholder
  • Lienholder can electronically release the lien, which then allows an electronic transfer of ownership, if applicable
  • View the Liens Overview topic for more information

Policy 8.6.4 Transactions Involving Electronic Titles & Records.

Electronic Title Record Viewing

Once a transfer of title is completed with or without a lien, the vehicle title record becomes electronic.

• An owner can view it by AZ MVD Now
• Lienholder can view the ELT through their ELT provider

When transferring an Arizona title record, the Arizona paper title or Title Transfer (Bill of Sale), form #38-1306 (which may be used when a paper title is not available, or the title is electronic) will need to be properly completed and submitted, along with any other required documentation.

For additional information on:

• Completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section
• Bill of sale form, see the Forms & Signatures topic > Title Transfer (Bill of Sale) section
• A company or dealership that is buying or selling a vehicle for signature requirements, see the Commercial Vehicles topic > Company or Dealership: Completing the Buyer or Seller Section on Title

The customer must show ID, if not the new owner, they must have a notarized POA.

Front of Title

The following must be verified on front of the title (or on the Title Transfer (Bill of Sale) form):

• Front of the title information matches the database record:
  • Current title number (must match last title issued) (paper title only)
    • Lien information
      • If lien is present, purchaser will need lien release
• Owner/Lessee field; determines signatures for seller(s) on back of title, depending on legal status, if applicable

Back of Title

The following must be verified on the back of the title (or on the Title Transfer (Bill of Sale) form):

Odometer Information

• Odometer Reading
• Odometer Reading Type

Seller's Information

• Seller(s) Signature per legal status, if applicable
• Seller(s) Name (printed) - Seller's s printed name is not required on the title if the Division can verify the signature
• Seller's Street Address - Seller's address is not required on the back of the title but there maybe times when the Division will require proof of address, see Title Document Overview topic > Out-of-State Title Documents section for additional information
• Dealer Number, if applicable
• Sale Date; which determines Late Title Transfer Penalty Fees (PEN)

Buyer's Information

• Buyer(s) Signature
• Buyer(s) Name (printed)
  • All new owners must be in person or a T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236 must be submitted with signatures for all new owners
• Buyer Street Address - The buyer's full address (street, city, state, and ZIP code) is required on One of the following:
  • A signed title
  • A signed Title Summary
  • A signed T&R Application, form #96-0236
    • For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section
• New Lienholder Driver License or EIN, if applicable
• New Lienholder Name, if applicable
• New Lienholder Street Address, if applicable
• Lien Date, if applicable

Additional Information to Verify before Title Transfer

• Emissions information, if applicable, view the Emissions Overview topic > Vehicles Requiring an Emissions Test and Vehicles Exempt from Emissions Testing sections for more information on emissions
• Possible Registration Credit and/or plate to use

When a vehicle is sold as a used car, the sale is identical to any Arizona title transfer, except the dealer or agent for the dealer will complete the dealer reassignments and purchase information, notarization is not required. Additional documentation may be required, such as a POA or fleet emissions.

Liens & Arizona Titles

Lienholders are now considered Owners in MAX. When liens are released, a Title Transfer (Bill of Sale), form #38-1306 is not required unless an actual transfer of ownership is being completed. Only proper lien release documentation is required.

Electronic liens will be released electronically, unless a paper lien released is submitted due to issues in having the lien released electronic. In either case, no other documentation is required.

Non-electronic liens will need a paper lien release and no other documentation is required.

View the Liens Overview topic > Lien Release section for more information.

Individuals may electronically transfer ownership of an eligible passenger vehicle to another individual on AZ MVD Now.

The ETT is completed on AZ MVD Now by the buyer and seller of the vehicle and the following conditions apply:

• The Arizona vehicle title record must have:
  • An Arizona title
  • Current Arizona registration
  • No lien(s) or brands
  • Current emissions, if applicable
  • Be a passenger vehicle
  • Have no prohibitive withdrawals that would prohibit a vehicle transfer
• Requirements for the seller and buyer are as follows:
  • Both buyer and seller must be individuals
  • Both must have Arizona customer records or numbers with a photo on file
  • The customer's records may not have any prohibitive statues that would prohibit a vehicle transfer
  • The seller must be the only owner of record or an 'OR' legal status between current owners

The vehicle may only be electronically transferred to the single buyer.

The Division, paired with Intellectual Technology Inc (ITI), will mail the physical license plate, validation tab, and registration to the customer.

A paper certificate of title is not required to be printed prior to processing the following when the Arizona vehicle title record has an eTitle in an ETT record:

• Adding additional owners, one of the following is required:
  • T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236
  • Arizona Title Summary
• Selling a vehicle to an Arizona Dealer who is eligible to process a Dealer Reassignment Transfer (DRT)

The lienholder will receive an electronic message if an electronic lien and title (ELT) is required or a paper certificate of title will be printed and distributed as required.

When titling a vehicle for the first time with a MCO or Factory Invoice, all the proper documentation or paperwork is submitted and properly completed.

• For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section

The customer must show ID, if not the new owner, they must have a notarized POA.

Front of Title

If MCO is submitted, the following must be verified on the front:

• Year, Make, Model, weight of vehicle, Body Style
• Name of the dealer, or buyer's name (when purchased directly from the manufacturer

Back of Title

If MCO is submitted, the following must be verified on the back:

Purchaser's Information

• Purchaser's (buyer's) complete name and address. The purchaser's full address (street, city, state, and ZIP code) is required on one of the following:
  • A signed title
  • A signed Title Summary
  • A signed T&R Application, form #96-0236
    • For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section
• Purchaser's (buyer's) signature and printed name, if applicable
• Odometer Reading

Seller's Information

• Dealerships printed name
• Dealer License Number
• Signature of person signing on behalf of dealership
• Notarization, if applicable

Odometer Disclosure Information

• Odometer Reading and Reading Type
• Signature of Seller(s) (Dealership)
• Printed Name(s) of Seller(s) (Dealership)
• Dealer's No, if applicable
• Signature of Purchaser(s)
• Printed Name(s) of Purchaser(s)
• Address of Purchaser(s) - The purchaser's full address (street, city, state, and ZIP code) is required on one of the following:
  • A signed title
  • A signed Title Summary
  • A signed T&R Application, form #96-0236
    • For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section
• Date of Statement (for odometer disclosure)
• Date of Sale; which determines late title transfer penalty fees

Lienholder Information

• Complete lien information, if applicable

All additional supporting documentation to the title transfer is required.

Factory Invoice Submitted instead of MCO

If Factory Invoice is submitted, the following must be verified:

• Date of sale to the dealer or the person who first received the vehicle from the manufacturer
• The name of the dealer or person
• A description sufficient to identify the vehicle
• A statement certifying the vehicle was new when sold

Additional Documentation

When the paperwork was completed by the dealership, it must include:

• T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236
  • For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section
• Any other additional title transfer documentation
• Dealer transmittal, if submitted for dealer work (see below) The lienholder will receive an electronic message if an electronic lien and title (ELT) is required or a paper certificate of title will be printed and distributed as required.

Additional Information to Verify before Transfer

• Possible credit plate to use

Since an out-of-state title transfer can either mean a change in ownership, either full or partial, or a transfer from another state to Arizona, meaning no change in ownership, documentation or requirements may differ.

The CSR will still need to verify all the proper documentation or paperwork is submitted and properly completed.

An emissions certificate is required on all qualifying vehicles coming from out-of-state when the qualifying vehicle will be registered in a non-attainment area, or commuting to a non-attainment area. An emission inspection is still required regardless of when the vehicle had last gone through an emission inspection out-of-state.

Changing Ownership

The out-of-state title must have:

• The correct owner(s) sign off in the Seller portion of the reassignment
  • Verify the owners signed off per the legal status (view the World Data Corp (Polk Book) Quick Reference Guide)
• The name and address of the buyer(s) must be entered on the title. The buyer's address (street, city, state, and ZIP code) is required on one of the following:
  • A signed title
  • A signed Title Summary
  • A signed T&R Application, form #96-0236
    • For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section
• The mileage verified
  • When vehicle is less than 10 or 20 model years old (depending on model year), both buyer(s) and seller(s) must print and sign their names in the odometer disclosure field
    • *View the Odometers Guidelines topic > Odometer Disclosure Statement section for the 10 or 20 year disclosure rule
• All new owners must be present to sign the Arizona Title Summary, or if not all owners are present and/or unable to return then all owners must properly complete a T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236

A sales invoice if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealership.

Liens on Out-of-State Titles (Changing Ownership)

When the out-of-state title reflects a lien from the seller, a lien release must be submitted for the seller’s lien. You will follow out-of-state lien release requirements.

When the back of the title reflects a lien for the new owner(s), the lien information must be entered during data entry in order to be reflected on the new Arizona vehicle title record or title.

Not Changing Ownership

The out-of-state title is not required to be endorsed, as ownership is not changing.

Legal Statuses

If there is no change in the legal status, only one signature is required on the Arizona Title Summary or the T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236 (regardless of the number of owners listed on the out-of-state title).

If there is a change in legal status, all owners must be present to sign the Arizona Title Summary, or if not all owners are present and/or unable to return then all owners must properly complete a T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236.

• For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section

Liens on Out-of-State Titles (Not Changing Ownership)

When the out-of-state title has a lien, the lien information must be placed on the Arizona title, or a lien release must be presented.

When the customer submits an out-of-state registration and states they are still making payments on the vehicle, you will need to verify the state is a title-holding state. An Arizona Registration Only (ARO) will now be processed instead of the out-of-state title transfer.

To verify if the state is title-holding, view the World Data Corp (Polk Book) Quick Reference Guide and use the 'Title Held by Lienholder' column.

If the state is non-title holding state, the customer must provide the out-of-state title in order to process the out- of-state title transfer.

Lessee

• An individual or company that is leasing a vehicle from a Lessor (which is typically a company, e.g., Toyota Leasing, GMAC Leasing)
• Makes monthly payments on the vehicle, while under contract with the Lessor, indicating the Lessee will return the vehicle at the end of the contract
• May choose to purchase the vehicle and the end of the contract, and then the Lessor may become the lienholder rather than the Lessor, or the vehicle will be paid in full

Lessor

• Has the authority to grant the Lessee permissions to operate and register the vehicle per their contract agreement, such as moving from another state and titling and/or registering the vehicle in Arizona
• Is the legal owner of the vehicle

When the Lessor does not want the Lessee on the title, the title will only show the leasing company as the owner. Therefore, the Lessee will require a Power of Attorney (POA) to obtain a registration renewal, replacement plate or registration from the Lessor.

View the Legal Statuses & Role Types topic > Regular Role Types section for more information on legal statuses.

Power of Attorneys

The Lessor will provide the Lessee either with a Power of Attorney, form #48-1001 or a POA on company letterhead in order for the Lessee to have permission to sign for the Lessor, if required.

POAs on company letterhead may have an expiration date. Carefully read the letter/POA to verify it is still valid at the time of service.

There may be instances when the Lessor will be the only one on the title and/or registration. When it is only the Lessor, the Lessee will need a POA in order to have any service completed.

When only the Lessor will be on the title and/or registration, the Lessee's address will be recorded as the Vehicle Domicile Address in order to receive any correspondence from the Division.

Situations

• Title transfers
  • Title is going into the Lessee(s) and/or Lessor(s) name for the first time
• Registration transfers (SPIs)
  • Registration is already established in the Lessee(s) and/or Lessor(s) name

Title Transfers Documentation

• A completed Lessor Authorization, form #40-0207
  • Gives the Lessee permission to title and/or register the vehicle in Arizona
• A notarized Power of Attorney
• T&R Application (Single), form #96-0236 may be submitted for Lessee/Lessor situations
  • If the application is submitted by the Lessor, the Lessee will not need to sign the T&R Application (Single) or the Arizona Title Summary
  • For additional information on completing a T&R application form, see the Title and Registration Application (Single) section

A Trust is a legal relationship where the trust has legal title (owns) the vehicle and the Trust will be recorded as Owner.

The vehicle will be listed in the name of a Trust and appointees (or trustees).

When there is more than one Trustee, a Legal Status will be required and is dependent on the submitted Trust documentation.

View the Legal Statuses & Role Types topic > Regular Role Types section for more information on legal statuses.

Trust Documentation

When the Trust is Not Needed for an Ownership Change

The Trust agreement does not have to be presented at the time of the initial title transfer when:

• When witnessing an endorsement of the Trustee(s), provided the Trustee(s) are on the front of the title
  • Proper ID will be requested to verify the person signing is the name of the trustee(s) on the front
  • All Trustee(s) must sign according to the legal status

When the Trust is Needed for Ownership Change

The Trust agreement does have to be presented at the time of the initial title transfer when:

• Ownership is going into the Trust name, and/or
• Trustee(s) are to be recorded on the title, along with the Trust
• When the owner(s) cannot provide the Trust name to create a record for the Trust
• When the trustee(s) are not listed on the document or cannot be verified; the original trust agreement, a certified copy of the Trust, or a Certification of Trust, form #96-2002 must be presented to determine the Trustee(s) and/or the legal status to be used
  • Upload the front of the Trust, along with the page that list the individuals that have the authority (Trustees) and the certification (court seal) of the Trust
    • Will need to make copies if stapled, do NOT take apart any stapled documents

When processing title transfers the correct name needs to be entered into the T&R database based off the current name on the documentation being submitted, the name entered will also be shown on the registration. A One and the Same, form #38-4306 or additional documentation (e.g., Letter of Permission from the lienholder, etc.) may be required, for name variations in order to complete the transaction.

A customer comes in and states she is still making payments on her vehicle and hands you an out-of-state registration. You will process what the MVD calls an ARO (Arizona Registration Only). The name on the out-of- state registration has the maiden name of the customer but she has recently gotten married and her Arizona DL already reflects the married name. The maiden name must be entered on the T&R database when processing the ARO.

When you are transferring an out-of-state vehicle title to Arizona and a lien is displayed on the title, you must enter the name(s) exactly as shown on the title. A ‘Letter of Permission’ from lienholder to change the name(s) may be acceptable, depending on the situation (e.g., the two individuals have married since the original title was printed). A One and the Same, form #38-4306 may need to be submitted at time of transfer, depending on the situation.

During an Arizona title transfer, the buyer’s name(s) is entered on the buyer line on the back of an Arizona title, as well as a new lienholder (if applicable). When processing the title transfer you must enter the buyer name(s) as they show on the back of the Arizona title since there is a new lienholder. If there has been a change in the names to be added to the new title, a ‘Letter of Permission’ from the lienholder will be required to change the name, depending on the situation (e.g., the two individuals had gotten married during the process of buying a car). Or, a One and the Same, form #38-4306 may need to be submitted at time of transfer, depending on the situation.

The PEN fees are assessed when a title service is not completed in the allotted time period as required per Arizona State Law. View the Fees (T&R) Overview topic > Late Title Transfer Penalty Fees (PEN) section for more information on the PEN fees.

ADOT is moving towards full eTitle implementation, meaning no paper titles will be produced. Currently title fees in the legacy system are based on when the title is first issued and subsequently when the title is printed a second time. This practice will need to change in a paperless title world. Shifting to a paperless title standard can remedy the inconsistencies in how the title charge is applied. Please refer to the table below to determine when to charge title fees.