8.6.2

TITLE TRANSFER

Effective Date: October 01, 2026

Review Due: October 01, 2028

Summary of Changes    

Added an Electronic Bill of Sale Receipt, form #13-1308 to Section A, H, and L.

Purpose

To provide guidelines for transferring the ownership of a vehicle or mobile home.

Authority

Administrative Revision A.R.S. §§ 28-370, 28-2009, 28-2052, 28-2055, 28-2056, 28-2058, 28-2060, 28-2162, 28-4409, 28-4555, 14-1201, 14-5101, 14-5210, 14-5306, 14-5605, 14-5606 and 28-2060.

Policy

1. The Division shall issue a vehicle/mobile home Arizona Certificate of Title when acceptable proof of ownership has been provided.  A properly assigned and endorsed certificate of title represents proof of ownership. The Division does not accept an in-state or out-of-state bill of sale (with or without an acquisition number) as proof of ownership to obtain title to a vehicle, with the exceptions of an Arizona Dealer Retail Bill of Sale, form #38-1305, Title Transfer Bill of Sale, form #38-1306, and Electronic Bill of Sale Receipt, form #13-1308.

2. The Division will not process any transaction when the customer presents documentation (may include licenses) that does not appear legitimate/acceptable.

General Requirements

3. The title of record is required with some exceptions, see the appropriate title and/or registration policy.

4. When a valid lien is recorded on the title, a lien clearance is required, see Policy 8.4.2 Lien Clearance Requirements.

5. An odometer disclosure statement from the seller to the purchaser may be required, see Policy 8.3.3 Odometer Disclosure Requirements.

6. A vehicle that is imported into this country must meet all United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Environmental Protection Agency standards prior to the issuance of an Arizona certificate of title, see Policy 8.13.1 Grey Market (Import) Vehicle.

7. Licensed Arizona dealers (or the dealer’s agents) are authorized to acknowledge signatures on title transactions for vehicles that are sold by or traded to the dealer, see Policy 8.6.3 Title and/or Registration Transactions Variations Specific to Dealer Transaction.

Seller’s Responsibilities

8. The owner of a vehicle/mobile home who is transferring title to another party must endorse the reverse side of the current paper title, Title Transfer Bill of Sale, form #38-1306, or Electronic Bill of Sale Receipt, form #13-1308.

• The Division adheres to a foreign state's statutes or regulations regarding the requirements for title sign-off.

9. Only the owner(s) listed on the vehicle record or face of the current paper title may release ownership, unless this right has been conveyed to another party by a notarized power of attorney or a legal document granting the authorization to sign.

• A court appointed conservator or guardian may sign ownership documents for the disposition of property belonging to a protected person. A certified copy of the court order appointing the conservator/guardian is required.

10. When the ownership on the existing title is in more than one name, the number of signatures required to release the ownership is dependent upon the legal status indicated on the title, see Policy 8.3.2 Legal Status Multiple Owners/Legal Status Change.

11. Upon the sale of a vehicle/mobile home, the seller shall notify the Division of the sale within ten days.  The seller must provide the date of sale and the buyer’s name and address (when available).

Purchaser’s Responsibilities

12. The purchaser of a vehicle/mobile home shall endorse either the paper certificate of title, Title Transfer Bill of Sale, form #38-1306, or Electronic Bill of Sale Receipt, form #13-1308, that was utilized by the seller.

13. If a vehicle is registered at the time of sale, the purchaser must apply for a certificate of title within 15 days after the purchase or transfer of the vehicle or pay an additional title penalty fee, a licensed motor vehicle dealer shall make application within 30 days after the purchase or transfer.

14. The purchaser must apply for a certificate of title within 30 days after acquiring an unregistered vehicle or mobile home or pay an additional title penalty fee.

Note:    The customer is given 30 days in which to apply for a certificate of title when purchasing a mobile home, an expired vehicle, or any vehicle acquired as a result of an operation of law.

15. The new owner (Arizona resident) must obtain a title (paper or electronic) before selling or transferring ownership to another person, company or dealer.

16. Separate reassignment documents and/or sequential Bills of Sale are not accepted. Exceptions: A bill of sale from the owner shown on the face of the title to the purchaser is acceptable when the seller’s signature or the notarization of the signature is incomplete or incorrect on a paper title.

17. When the title is assigned to an individual with an out-of-state address (non-resident) and the vehicle has subsequently been sold to an Arizona resident, company or dealer, the Division will not require the nonresident to obtain title.

Statement of Error/Release of Interest

18. When an error is made in the assignment (Transfer of Ownership) area of the title, the Division requires a Statement of Error, form #46-0307, and a Release of Interest, form #46-0306, to ensure the correct assignment of the vehicle/mobile home.

19. The Statement of Error form is completed by the seller, as listed on the face of the title.

20. The person whose name was erroneously entered as the buyer completes the Release of Interest form.

Vehicle/Mobile Home Previously Titled in Another State

21. Prior to issuing a title and/or registration for a vehicle that was previously titled in another state or Native Nation/tribal government, a physical inspection may be required; see Policy 8.12.2 Vehicle Verification Inspection.

22. Prior to issuing a title for a mobile home that is new to Arizona or that was previously titled in another state, a certificate of compliance or waiver issued by the Office of Manufactured Housing is required; see Policy 8.13.2 Mobile Home.

23. The owner of a vehicle/mobile home that has been titled and/or registered in another state or country and for which an application for a certificate of title is made, shall surrender the:

1. Registration card or other evidence of registration, when applicable.

2. Certificate of Title, or other satisfactory proof of ownership.

24. When converting an out-of-state title to an Arizona title, the owner is not required to endorse the out-of-state title. Only one signature is required on the title application (regardless of the number of owners listed on the out-of-state title) when:

1. The customer is converting the out-of-state title to an Arizona title.

2. There is no change in ownership.

3. There is no change in Legal Status.

Registered Scrap Metal Dealer/Licensed Automotive Recycler

25. A registered Scrap Metal Dealer or a Licensed Automotive Recycler may purchase a vehicle without obtaining a certificate of title when an Owner Affidavit, form #46-4421 is completed.

    1. When an Owner Affidavit, form #46-4421, is submitted, the vehicle may never be titled or registered again and must be branded Non-Repairable, see Policy 8.5.1 Title Brands.

Insurance Company Settlement In Result Of A Total Loss

26. A vehicle acquired by an insurance company as a result of a total loss insurance settlement, shall submit an application for a salvage, stolen or non-repairable certificate of title within 30 days of the title being properly assigned by the owner to the insurance company. The following must be submitted by the insurance company or its authorized agent:

    1. Properly endorsed certificate of title.

    2. Lien satisfaction, if applicable.

    3. The proper fees.

27. If an insurance company or its authorized agent is unable to obtain the documentation listed above within 30 days after an oral or written acceptance by the owner of an offer in settlement of the total loss, the insurance company or its authorized agent may submit an Insurance Settlement Certificate, form #96-0567, in place of the documents required above.