Selling or junking a car in Arizona, step by step
- Find your title (or replace it). If the title is lost or damaged, request a duplicate from the Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division) using Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236); it can be done online.
- Pay off any loan. If a lender is listed on the title, it must release the lien before the car can change hands. See our guide to junking a car with a lien.
- Sign the title over at pickup. The seller signs the back of the title and gives it to the buyer, or uses MVD's online eTitle Transfer. The seller should file a Sold Notice right after the sale and take the license plate off before the buyer takes the vehicle.
- Deal with your plates. MVD tells sellers to remove the license plate before the new owner takes possession of the vehicle.
- File the Sold Notice. A Sold Notice tells MVD the vehicle has changed owners, so the seller is not held responsible for later crimes, crashes, tickets or abandonment fees. File it on AZMVDNow.gov, or mail the form on the back of the registration or Form 46-8502.
How to sign over a title in Arizona
The seller signs the back of the title and gives it to the buyer, or uses MVD's online eTitle Transfer. The seller should file a Sold Notice right after the sale and take the license plate off before the buyer takes the vehicle.
Official page: azdot.gov. For general tips on avoiding mistakes, see how to sign over a car title.
Lost title? Getting a duplicate in Arizona
The owner of record can order a replacement through the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. They can also mail Form 96-0236 with the replacement box checked, and only one owner's signature is needed.
- Form: Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236) — download
- Available online: yes
- Official page: azdot.gov
More background: how to get a duplicate title before junking.
Sold Notice
A Sold Notice tells MVD the vehicle has changed owners, so the seller is not held responsible for later crimes, crashes, tickets or abandonment fees. File it on AZMVDNow.gov, or mail the form on the back of the registration or Form 46-8502.
- Form: 46-8502
- Can be filed online: yes
- Official page: azdot.gov
Why it matters: release of liability when selling a car.
License plates after you sell
Plates stay with you, the seller, not the car. MVD tells sellers to remove the license plate before the new owner takes possession of the vehicle.
Source: azdot.gov
Junk and salvage titles in Arizona
A salvage title is issued when repairing the damage would cost more than the vehicle is worth, and the vehicle cannot be driven until it is repaired and inspected. The owner can keep it for parts or scrap, sell it as salvage with disclosure, or rebuild it to get a restored salvage title.
Official page: azdot.gov. Background: salvage vs. rebuilt vs. junk titles.
Selling a car without a title in Arizona
When there is not enough paperwork to prove ownership, an applicant can pursue a bonded title. The steps are a vehicle inspection, an affidavit, notice to prior owners and lienholders, and a surety bond of 1.5 times the vehicle's value (Form 40-1001 for vehicles).
Official page: azdot.gov
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Arizona title questions
How do I replace a lost car title in Arizona?
The owner of record can order a replacement through the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. They can also mail Form 96-0236 with the replacement box checked, and only one owner's signature is needed. The form is Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236).
Do I need to notify Arizona when I sell or junk my car?
Arizona uses the Sold Notice. A Sold Notice tells MVD the vehicle has changed owners, so the seller is not held responsible for later crimes, crashes, tickets or abandonment fees. File it on AZMVDNow.gov, or mail the form on the back of the registration or Form 46-8502.
What happens to my license plates when I sell a car in Arizona?
MVD tells sellers to remove the license plate before the new owner takes possession of the vehicle.
Can I junk a car without a title in Arizona?
When there is not enough paperwork to prove ownership, an applicant can pursue a bonded title. The steps are a vehicle inspection, an affidavit, notice to prior owners and lienholders, and a surety bond of 1.5 times the vehicle's value (Form 40-1001 for vehicles). Confirm the details with the Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division).
Official sources
- Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division) — homeazdot.gov
- Selling or transferring a vehicle titleazdot.gov
- Duplicate or replacement title (Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236))azdot.gov
- Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236) formapps.azdot.gov
- Sold Noticeazdot.gov
- Junk and salvage vehiclesazdot.gov
- Selling without a titleazdot.gov
Summarized from official Arizona government websites in October 2026. Fees and procedures change; always confirm with the Arizona MVD (ADOT Motor Vehicle Division) before you sell. This guide is general information, not legal advice.