How To Transfer a Car Title in Arkansas 2026
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) — Office of Motor Vehicle administers all vehicle title and registration transactions in the state, including ownership transfers resulting from private sales, gifts, inheritance, and lien releases. Under Ark. Code § 27-14-903, as amended by Act 41 of 2023, the buyer of a motor vehicle must apply for title and registration within 60 calendar days of the date of transfer or the release of a prior lien; trailers, mobile homes, ATVs, and motorboats must be titled and registered within 30 calendar days. Most standard transfers can be initiated online through MyDMV, or completed in person at any State Revenue Office statewide.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Arkansas
The following documents are required or conditionally required, depending on the nature of the transaction. All original documents must be submitted; photocopies are generally not accepted for title transfers.
| Document | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original Certificate of Title (or MCO for new vehicles) | Required | Must be properly signed and assigned by all listed sellers; buyer's full name printed in the assignment section |
| Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381) | Required | All listed owners must sign |
| Bill of Sale / Odometer Disclosure Statement | Required | Mandatory for vehicles fewer than 20 years old; must be signed by both buyer and seller; may be on the back of the title if control number is 3003001 or higher and fully completed |
| Valid Arkansas Driver's License or State ID | Required | Current, government-issued identification |
| Proof of Liability Insurance | Required | Must be on file with the DFA system |
| Current-Year County Assessor Vehicle Assessment | Required | Proof the vehicle has been assessed or listed for assessment for the current year |
| Personal Property Tax Receipt | Required | Proof taxes due by the previous October 15 have been paid; acceptable as a tax collector receipt or certification stamped on assessment papers |
| Official Release of Lien | Conditional | Required if a lien is recorded on the current title; must be provided by the lienholder on the official DFA form |
| Power of Attorney for Vehicle Transactions | Conditional | Required when any party acts as an agent on behalf of an owner or company |
| VIN Verification | Conditional | Required for out-of-state titles branded as Salvage, Prior Salvage, or similar |
| Signed Lien Contract | Conditional | Required when the vehicle purchase is being financed at the time of registration |
| Current Registration Certificate | Conditional | Required if the buyer wishes to transfer an existing license plate from a previously owned vehicle |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Arkansas
Step 1: Complete the Title Assignment
The seller is responsible for preparing the certificate of title for transfer. Per the DFA's recent changes in the law, the seller must print the buyer's full legal name in the assignment section on the reverse side of the certificate of title. Both the seller and buyer must then sign and print their names in the designated sections of the title assignment.
When joint ownership is listed with the conjunction "AND," signatures from all listed owners are mandatory. When the conjunction "OR" connects co-owners, a single owner's signature is sufficient to complete the assignment. Errors or omissions in the assignment section will result in rejection of the title application and may require obtaining a corrected or replacement title before the transfer can proceed.
For new vehicles, the manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO), properly assigned to the buyer by the selling dealer, serves as a substitute for a prior title.
Step 2: Prepare the Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure
Under federal guidelines as implemented through the DFA's motor vehicle odometer disclosure requirements, all vehicles fewer than 20 years old must be accompanied by a fully completed odometer disclosure statement signed by both the buyer and the seller.
- If the Arkansas certificate of title being surrendered carries a control number of 3003001 or higher, the bill of sale and odometer disclosure printed on the back of that title is sufficient, provided all fields are completed accurately, and both parties have signed.
- If the control number is lower than 3003001, or if an out-of-state title is being surrendered, a separate Bill of Sale / Odometer Disclosure Statement must be completed and submitted alongside the title.
The bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model, date of sale, full purchase price (including any trade-in information, including the trade-in VIN and allowance amount), and the printed and signed names of both parties. Retaining a copy of all executed documents is strongly advised for both the buyer and the seller.
Step 3: Verify Tax Obligations and Supporting Requirements
Before submitting a title application, the buyer must confirm that the following conditions are satisfied, as the DFA's system will electronically verify each item and block processing if any is outstanding:
- County assessor vehicle assessment — The vehicle must be assessed or listed for assessment for the current calendar year with the buyer's county assessor.
- Personal property tax compliance — All personal property taxes due by the previous October 15 must be paid and evidenced by either a tax collector's receipt or a certification stamped on assessment papers.
- Liability insurance — An active Arkansas liability insurance policy must be in force and on file.
State sales and use tax applies to vehicle purchases based on the total gross purchase price per the DFA's vehicle tag renewal guidance, as follows:
| Purchase Price Range | State Sales/Use Tax Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under $4,000 | None | No state sales tax collected |
| $4,000 – $9,999 (used vehicles) | 3.5% | Reduced rate per Act 1013, effective January 1, 2022 |
| $10,000 or more | 6.5% (7% in Texarkana) | Standard rate applies |
Local taxes may apply in addition to the state rate; each local tax is capped at $25.00 per 1% of tax due. Tax is assessed on the total delivery price, including any rebate, freight charges, and additional equipment, but excluding Federal Excise Tax. If a trade-in vehicle is included in the transaction, tax is calculated on the net price after the trade-in credit is deducted.
Step 4: Complete and Submit the Title Application
The buyer must complete Form 10-381 (Vehicle Registration Application) and ensure that all required fields are fully and accurately completed. Incomplete applications will be returned without processing.
The completed application, together with all required supporting documents, may be submitted by one of three methods:
Option A — Online via MyDMV: The DFA's Transfer Vehicle Ownership service allows most standard private-party transfers to be completed electronically in approximately 15 minutes. This option is available for buyers who have an established MyDMV account.
Option B — In Person at a State Revenue Office: The buyer may visit any of Arkansas's statewide State Revenue Offices to submit documents in person. Staff can assist with completing required forms, and in-person submission allows for immediate confirmation of document acceptance.
Option C — By Mail: Original documents may be mailed to the Office of Motor Vehicle at the address below. Use of certified mail with a return receipt is strongly recommended when submitting original title documents.
Office of Motor Vehicle P.O. Box 3153, Little Rock, AR 72203-3153
Sellers who have completed a transfer are encouraged to submit a Notice of Transfer of Ownership to the DFA to formally document the change and limit post-sale liability exposure.
Step 5: Pay Required Fees
All applicable fees must be submitted at the time of the title and registration application. The standard fee schedule for title-related transactions is as follows:
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title Application Fee | $10.00 |
| Tag Transfer Fee (plate to another vehicle) | $1.00 |
| Lien Filing Fee | $0.50 |
| Replacement Title | $10.00 |
| Late Registration Penalty | $3.00 per 10-day period (not to exceed annual registration fee) |
| Late Sales Tax Penalty | 10% of amount due |
Registration fees are assessed separately based on vehicle type, weight, and classification. Payments may be made by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card, depending on the method of submission. Checks should be made payable to the Department of Finance and Administration.
A non-use affidavit (Form 10-300), available at any State Revenue Office, may be completed to waive penalties if the vehicle has not been operated on Arkansas public roads during the period following the title assignment date.
Step 6: Receive the New Certificate of Title
Upon acceptance of a complete and compliant application, the DFA's Office of Motor Vehicle reviews and processes the submission. Standard processing time for issuance of a new certificate of title is a minimum of three weeks. Buyers may check the status of a title application through the DFA online services portal.
Contact Information
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Motor Vehicle
Ragland Building, 1900 W. 7th Street, Suite 1010, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-4692
Official Website: Arkansas DFA Motor Vehicle
