How to Sell a Car in Alaska Privately? (State Guide)

Not directly. Alaska requires a title to transfer a vehicle, and no junk or age exception; sell a titled vehicle by getting a duplicate title first, or apply for a surety bond title if you have no or inadequate proof of ownership. The legal basis is AS 28.10.216 and 2 AAC 92.010(b).

If you never received a title from the seller, the surety bond route uses Form 824.

Junk buyers are often more flexible, since a car headed for scrap is not being retitled, but that varies by buyer.

Learn more: How to Sell a Junk Car in Alaska?

Alaska gives buyers 30 days from the date of sale to complete title and registration transfer at the DMV. If the 30th day falls on a weekend or state holiday, the next business day counts as the deadline.

Late registration can carry a penalty. That’s the buyer’s problem, not yours, but it’s a good reason to report the sale right away.

Alaska does not require the title assignment to be notarized for a private sale. Sign the title exactly as your name appears on it, in blue or black ink.

A bill of sale is recommended for private vehicle sales in Alaska. There is no state-issued bill of sale form; a generic document works fine, and there is no dollar threshold to worry about.

Notarization is not required. Use our free bill of sale generator to make one in minutes.

Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender.

In Alaska, the lienholder signs the release on the front of the title, or provides a notarized lien release letter on company letterhead with the VIN; a PAID stamp alone is not accepted.

If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.

It depends on whether the estate went through probate. If probated: an original or certified copy of the Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or Letter of Appointment with the title. If not probated: a notarized Form 827 affidavit. Submit with an Application for Title and Registration (Form V1) and a released title or notarized lost title affidavit; the successor must title the vehicle in their own name before selling it.

Alaska’s small estate threshold: $150,000 total estate (vehicles not over $100,000 and other personal property not over $50,000) for the small estate affidavit; the owner must have died at least 30 days prior.

It depends on how the names appear on your title. If the names are joined by “AND,” all listed owners must sign. If they’re joined by “OR,” either person can sign alone.

Check the title carefully before the sale so there are no delays at pickup.

Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Alaska doesn’t allow corrections on title documents.

You’ll need a clean duplicate title. Download Form 809, submit it in person at any DMV office, or by mail to DMV Headquarters in Anchorage with your ID and $15.00, and start over with the new title.

Nothing extra for you as the seller. Your obligations are the same: sign the title correctly and report the transfer to the DMV Immediately.

The buyer may need to meet inspection or registration requirements in their home state. That’s their responsibility, not yours.

Standard Alaska plates stay with the car. You should leave the standard plates on the vehicle for the buyer, and remove personalized or specialty plates to keep.

Contact the DMV to cancel your registration so you’re not billed going forward.

Yes. Report the transfer to the DMV Immediately. You can do this File online through the DMV vehicle transfer portal, or mail the Notice of Vehicle Sale tear-off from the title to the DMV..

Without this filing, you could be held responsible for tickets, accidents, or other issues involving the car after the sale.