SellCarAdvisor is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. How We Work.
The bottom line: Arizona makes private car sales pretty simple. No notarization is required for in-state sales, there’s no emissions test before selling, and you can file your sold notice online through AZ MVD Now in minutes.
Sign over the title, remove your plates, and file your sold notice within 10 days. The buyer handles registration and title transfer after that. If you want to sell fast, you can also compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor in one place before deciding.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Arizona does not require it for in-state sales. Sign in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the title.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $4.00. Download Form 96-0236 and submit it to your local MVD office. Processing typically takes 15 to 30 days.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has 15 days to register the car and complete the title transfer at an MVD or Third Party location.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Arizona requires you to file a sold notice within 10 days of the sale through AZ MVD Now. It’s free.
- Bill of sale: Not required by Arizona law, but recommended for protection. Use the state’s Form 48-2004 or our free generator.
Compare Instant Offers
Step-by-Step Process for Arizona
Step 1: Prepare Your Arizona Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Arizona driver’s license – Names must match the title exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Download Form 96-0236 and submit it to your MVD office with your ID and $4.00. Processing typically takes 15 to 30 days, so request it early if you plan to sell soon.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender needs to release the lien before you can transfer the title. They can sign the title directly or provide an official lien release letter on letterhead. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Electronic titles:
Arizona offers full electronic title transfer through the AZ MVD Now app if both the buyer and seller have registered accounts. This can skip the paper title entirely and speed up the process.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Arizona, especially in Phoenix, Tucson, and Scottsdale where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like California and Nevada.
Arizona’s dry climate keeps vehicles in better shape year-round, which means buyers here often look for well-maintained used cars and trucks. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana gives competitive offers if you have a newer car in good condition.
Best for Newer Cars
Buys newer, low-mileage cars
Offers pickup or free drop-off
Competitive trade-in value
Best for Used Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Instant offer and free pickup
Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Learn more:
Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
Learn more:
Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at the bank), or meet at the buyer’s bank for a wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Arizona Title Transfer
The back of the Arizona title has an assignment section where you complete the sale. Use blue or black ink only, and write legibly. Do not use white-out or cross-outs.
Fill in the following:
- Buyer’s full legal name and address
- Date of sale
- Sale price
- Your signature in the seller section
- Odometer reading (required for vehicles less than 10 model years old)
Multiple owners on the title:
If the title says “AND,” every listed owner must sign. If it says “OR” or “AND/OR,” either owner can sign alone. Check the exact wording on your title before you begin.
Electronic title transfer option:
Arizona offers a full eTitle Transfer through AZ MVD Now if both the buyer and seller have registered accounts. This skips the paper title process entirely. If your title is electronic (held by a lender), the lender must release it before you can complete the transfer.
After signing:
Give the signed title to the buyer. They have 15 days from the date of sale to take it to an Arizona MVD or authorized Third Party location and complete the transfer in their name.
Made a mistake on the title? Don’t try to fix it yourself. Get a duplicate title using Form 96-0236 and start with a clean one.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Arizona, but it’s smart protection for both you and the buyer. It documents the sale price, condition, and both parties’ information in writing.
It doesn’t need to be notarized. Arizona has its own form (Form 48-2004) if you want an official version, or you can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Arizona License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Arizona, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer the plates to another vehicle you own within 15 days, or destroy them. The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
File your sold notice on AZ MVD Now within 10 days of the sale. It’s free and takes just a few minutes online.
This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle. It protects you from any tickets, registration fees, or accidents that come after the car changes hands.
Learn more: What is a Car Release of Liability Form? (Each State Forms)
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Arizona DMV Resources
State Resources:
- Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
- AZ MVD Now (online services portal)
- Arizona Selling Your Vehicle Guide
Phone Support:
- Phoenix area: (602) 255-0072
- Tucson area: (520) 629-9808
- Statewide: (800) 251-5866
You can also find your nearest MVD office through our list of state DMV websites.
Arizona Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $4.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 15 days from the date of purchase to take the signed title to an Arizona MVD or authorized Third Party location and complete the transfer.
If they miss this deadline, they may face late fees or penalties.
That’s the buyer’s responsibility, not yours. Your job ends once you’ve signed the title, handed it over, and filed your sold notice.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Arizona?
No, Arizona doesn’t require title notarization for in-state sales. Just sign in the assignment section in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the title.
If the buyer is from out of state, check their home state’s rules. Some states don’t recognize Arizona’s no-notarization policy and may require a notarized title for their own registration process.
When is a bill of sale required in Arizona?
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Arizona. It’s still smart protection for both parties, and Arizona has its own form (Form 48-2004) if you want an official version.
It doesn’t need to be notarized. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Arizona?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender. Your lender can either sign the title directly or provide an official lien release letter on company letterhead.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket at closing.
My car was inherited. What additional Arizona forms do I need?
If the car went through probate, you’ll need Letters Testamentary plus the signed title to transfer ownership.
For smaller estates under Arizona’s threshold, an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property may be enough to avoid full probate.
Both my spouse and I are on the Arizona title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the title reads. If it says “AND,” all listed owners must sign. If it says “OR” or “AND/OR,” either owner can sign alone.
Check the exact wording on your title before you start filling it out, since signing incorrectly can void the transfer.
What if I make a mistake on the Arizona title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. A corrected or altered title won’t be accepted by the Arizona MVD.
Get a duplicate title by downloading Form 96-0236 and submitting it to your local MVD with $4.00. Then complete the new title correctly before signing over to the buyer.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Arizona require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. Sign over the title, remove your plates, and file your sold notice.
The buyer may face extra steps when registering in their home state, such as a VIN inspection or emissions test.
Do Arizona license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Arizona license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer drives away.
You can transfer the plates to another vehicle you own within 15 days or destroy them.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car in their name.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires you to file a sold notice within 10 days of the sale. The fastest way is online through AZ MVD Now, which is free and available 24/7.
Filing protects you from any tickets, fines, or tax bills tied to the vehicle after it changes hands. Save your confirmation number as proof that you filed.
Article Update History
This article was last updated to reflect Arizona's current MVD rules, including the AZ MVD.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.