Arizona Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Arizona?

Arizona does not require a separate bill of sale for a private-party vehicle transfer, but the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) uses it to verify the purchase price, assess the Vehicle License Tax, and confirm the details of the transaction. The primary transfer documents are the properly assigned title and a completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236). A bill of sale provides both parties with a dated written record of the sale terms.

The buyer must transfer the title within 15 days of the sale. Filing after this window triggers a late filing fee.

Does an Arizona bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Arizona does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for a standard private-party sale. The buyer and seller sign the title assignment section on the back of the certificate of title, and the buyer presents the signed title and bill of sale to an MVD office or authorized third-party provider to complete the transfer.

What information does an Arizona vehicle bill of sale need to include?

A complete Arizona vehicle bill of sale should include the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and seller, the date of sale, the agreed purchase price, and the vehicle's year, make, model, body style, color, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The odometer reading must be disclosed — Arizona uses the odometer disclosure section on the back of the title consistent with federal requirements (49 CFR §580.5) for vehicles less than 20 model years old. The as-is nature of the sale should also be stated.

Why is there no sales tax on private vehicle sales in Arizona?

Arizona does not impose a transaction privilege tax (Arizona's equivalent of a sales tax) on private-party vehicle sales between individuals. This is one of Arizona's most significant advantages for vehicle buyers — a car purchased from a private seller is not subject to sales tax at the time of sale. Arizona dealers do collect and remit transaction privilege tax on their sales, but that obligation does not extend to private transactions.

Instead of a sales tax, buyers pay a Vehicle License Tax (VLT) at registration, which is assessed annually based on a percentage of the vehicle's assessed value (A.R.S. §28-5801). The VLT replaces property tax on vehicles in Arizona. The assessed value starts at 60% of the MSRP for the model year the vehicle was manufactured and decreases each subsequent year, so older vehicles carry a lower VLT.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller should complete an AZ Sold Notice (available on the MVD website) to notify the state that the vehicle has been transferred. This protects the seller from liability for parking citations, camera tickets, or other violations that occur after the sale. The seller should retain a copy of the signed bill of sale and the assigned title as proof of the transfer.

Arizona is one of the few states that gives the seller a choice about license plates: they may either transfer with the vehicle to the new owner or stay with the seller for use on a new vehicle. If the seller wants to keep the plates, they must remove them before delivering the vehicle.

What if the vehicle has multiple owners?

If the vehicle is titled to more than one person, all owners on the title must sign the bill of sale. Use the "Add a co-seller" option on the form to add the second seller's name and address. Both sellers' names and signature lines will appear on the document. For electronic signing, each co-owner can sign on the same device in sequence, or the document can be passed from one device to another via QR code or shared link. Both buyers can likewise be named on the bill of sale using the "Add a co-buyer" option.