Do You Have to Notarize a Car Title in Arizona?

You do not have to notarize a car title in Arizona. The state dropped that requirement in October 2022, and private-party title transfers now go through without a notary stamp on the seller’s signature.¹ The seller signs and dates the Certificate of Title in the assignment section, the buyer signs as well, and the transfer moves forward from there.

For years before the change, Arizona law required a notary public to witness the seller’s signature on the title. The rule existed to deter fraud by confirming the person signing was actually the registered owner. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division updated its procedures and made notarization optional for in-state title transfers.¹ If you have an older title form with a notary block, you can leave it blank.

When Notarizing the Title Still Makes Sense

Optional does not mean pointless. A few situations are worth the small fee for a notary.

Selling to an out-of-state buyer is the biggest one. The buyer’s home-state DMV may not yet recognize Arizona’s rule change and could reject an un-notarized Arizona title when the buyer tries to retitle the vehicle. A notary stamp eliminates that risk.

Notarization also adds protection on high-value sales. It creates a verified record of who signed and when, which is much harder to challenge later if a dispute arises about whether the seller actually authorized the transfer.

If you decide to notarize, do not sign the title in advance. The notary has to watch you sign. Bring the unsigned title to the notary and sign it in front of them, or the stamp is meaningless.

How to Sign the Title Correctly

The seller signs the assignment section on the back of the Certificate of Title. The buyer also signs the back of the title and signs the Title and Registration Application, Form 96-0236, which captures the VIN, odometer reading, sale date, and sale price.²

Write carefully. Errors or cross-outs on the title itself can void the document, and copy names exactly as they appear on the existing title.

When the title lists more than one owner, the connector between the names controls who has to sign:

“Or” — either owner can sign alone.
“And” — both owners must sign.
“And/Or” — both owners must sign.

If the title says “And” and only one owner signs, MVD will reject the transfer.³ Check that line before anyone picks up a pen.

One more practical point: do not sign the title until the buyer has paid in full. A signed title is close to a blank check for ownership. Once your signature is on it, the document can be used to transfer the vehicle to anyone holding it.

Lien Releases and Electronic Titles

If a lender still holds a lien, the lien must be cleared before ownership can change hands. The lienholder releases the title electronically once the loan is paid off, and you will need a lien release document to include with the transfer paperwork.⁴

If the title is held electronically, the owner of record can request a paper copy through AZ MVD Now or by mail for $4.⁵ Allow up to six weeks if you request by mail, so plan ahead.

A Separate Bill of Sale

Arizona does not require a standalone bill of sale for a private-party transfer, but drafting one is smart practice. It records the sale price, the date possession changed hands, and the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale. The date matters because the seller can be held liable for incidents involving the vehicle until MVD records reflect the new owner. A bill of sale documenting when the buyer took possession helps draw that line.

Arizona also accepts a completed Title Transfer Bill of Sale (Form 38-1306) as an alternative transfer document for vehicles already titled in the state.⁴

File a Sold Notice Within 10 Days

With the notary gone, the sold notice is the step sellers most often miss. After signing over the title, the seller should file a Sold Notice with MVD. It is free, and Arizona requires it within 10 days of the sale.⁶ The fastest route is through AZ MVD Now at azmvdnow.gov. You can also complete the form on the back of your vehicle registration and mail it in.⁷

Without a Sold Notice on file, MVD records still show you as the owner. If the buyer gets into an accident, racks up traffic violations, or abandons the vehicle, you can end up on the hook. Abandoned vehicle fees alone start at $500.⁷

The eTitle Transfer Option

If neither party wants to visit an MVD office, Arizona offers a fully online transfer for eligible vehicles. The eTitle Transfer runs through AZ MVD Now, and both parties need an active account with enhanced authentication.⁸

The buyer generates a unique eTitle Buyer Code and shares it with the seller. The seller logs in, selects the vehicle, enters the odometer reading and the buyer code, and releases ownership. The buyer then reviews the vehicle information and completes the title and registration on their end.

Not every vehicle qualifies. The eTitle Transfer is limited to passenger vehicles currently titled and registered in Arizona with no more than two owners. Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and any vehicle with an active lien cannot use the online process. Transfers involving a power of attorney, divorce decree, or other legal documents have to be handled in person at an MVD or authorized third-party office.⁸

What the Buyer Does Next

Arizona law gives the buyer 15 days from the purchase date to apply for a new title.⁴ Missing that deadline triggers a penalty of $8 for the first month and $4 for each additional month, up to a maximum of $100.⁹

The buyer brings the signed title (or the Bill of Sale Form 38-1306), the completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236), and any lien release to an MVD office or an authorized third-party provider. The title fee is $4, with registration fees and the vehicle license tax on top.¹⁰

Arizona does not charge state sales tax on private-party vehicle sales. The 5.6% transaction privilege tax applies to dealer sales, but a sale between individuals within Arizona is exempt.

Transfers From a Deceased Owner

Notary questions come up most often when a title has to move out of a deceased owner’s name. Arizona provides a non-probate transfer process when the total personal property in the estate (including vehicles) does not exceed $200,000 and no probate court has taken jurisdiction. At least 30 days must have passed since the owner’s death, and all owners listed on the title must be deceased.¹¹

The person claiming the vehicle completes a Non-Probate Affidavit (Form 32-6901) along with the standard Title and Registration Application. If the vehicle is already titled in Arizona, the original title is not required. A lien release is needed if there is still an outstanding loan. The $4 title fee applies, plus standard registration fees. Documents go to an MVD office, an authorized third-party location, or the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division in Phoenix by mail.¹¹ If the estate exceeds the $200,000 threshold or probate is underway, the executor or administrator handles the transfer instead.

1
Arizona Secretary of State. Arizona Notary Manual
2
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Title and Registration Application Form 96-0236
3
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Title Transfer Bill of Sale
4
Department of Transportation – AZdot.Gov. Vehicle Title
5
Department of Transportation. How Do I Apply for a Duplicate Title and What Is the Fee
6
Department of Transportation – AZdot.Gov. Sold Notice
7
Department of Transportation. Sold Notice
8
Department of Transportation. Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle (eTitle Transfer)
9
Arizona Legislature. Arizona Revised Statutes 28-2162 – Delinquent Registration Penalty
10
Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code Title 28 Section 28-5801
11
Department of Transportation – AZdot.Gov. Vehicle Title Transfer After Owners Death (Non-Probate Transfer)