Arizona Buying a Vehicle

Getting a Title and Registration for a Vehicle Purchased from a Dealership

Any time you purchase a vehicle in Arizona, you have to apply for a title within 15 days of purchasing it. You can transfer the title electronically or contact an MVD office then give the office a signed-off title and title application. If the vehicle was registered in another state and you want to drive it in Arizona, you have to register it as soon as you become a resident of Arizona. After that, you have to get the vehicle inspected and get an emissions compliance form as proof that the vehicle passed the inspection. The car dealership will usually handle the title and registration paperwork for you if you buy a vehicle from them, although they will likely charge you a fee.

Getting a Title and Registration for a Vehicle Purchased from a Private Party

You have to get certain documents from the seller if you purchase a vehicle from a private party. These documents include:

1. A bill of sale
2. The vehicle title, which must include the purchase price, the completed transfer sections, and the notarized signatures of you and the seller

The seller can apply for a replacement title if they do not have the title. However, you should not buy a vehicle that does not have a title certificate. The Arizona MVD does not require you to file the bill of sale but the bill of sale does provide more proof that the transaction between you and the seller was legitimate.

How To Fill Out The Title

To fill out the title yourself, you will need proof of ownership, the Title and Registration Application, and sufficient payment for all the fees. The title transfer fee is $4, the registration fee is $8, the air quality research fee is $1.50, and the vehicle license tax varies by vehicle value. The Highway Patrol operations fee is $32 per vehicle per registration year for most vehicles. You can simply fill out the Title and Registration Application, make sure it has the seller’s notarized signature and bring it along with everything else to your local MVD office in Arizona. Arizona MVD offices accept cash, money orders, and checks.

Registering the Vehicle After Purchase

In Arizona, you have to go to an MVD office in person to register a vehicle. You will need an emissions compliance form if you live in the Phoenix or Tucson areas. You will also need proof of Arizona car insurance that at least meets Arizona’s required coverage amounts:

1. $25,000 per person
2. $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
3. $15,000 per accident for property damage

You are also required to bring a completed Title and Registration Application, photo identification, and payment for Arizona registration fees. One of these fees changes depending on the value of the vehicle you purchased. For each $100 of the vehicle’s value, you will be assessed:

1. $2.80 for new vehicles
2. $2.89 for used vehicles
3. $4 for alternative fuel vehicle

You will have to pay the total tax amount for all years you are registering the vehicle for if you are registering it for 2 years or 5 years.

How to Submit Payment for Vehicle Registration Fees