Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Arkansas

In Arkansas, vehicle registration, title, and lien records are administered by the Office of Motor Vehicle within the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). Registration information may need to be updated after a change of address, a legal name change, an error on a registration or title record, a vehicle purchase, a move into Arkansas, or the transfer of a license plate.

Arkansas Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

A registration review may be required in Arkansas when any of the following occurs, as discussed in the DFA guidance on vehicle tag renewal and in the motor vehicle FAQs:

A physical or mailing address has changed; the renewal address may be updated online so that tags and renewal notices are mailed to the correct location.
A legal name has changed, which also affects the title record because the application for title must be signed by the owner or owners.
An owner name is added to or removed from a registration and title.
A vehicle has been purchased, which starts the 60-day registration deadline from the date of purchase.
A person has become a resident of Arkansas, which starts the 60-day registration deadline under state law.
A license plate is transferred to another vehicle owned by the same person, involving a tag transfer fee and any difference in registration fees between weight classes.
A title has been lost, damaged, or stolen, requiring a replacement title.

Where to File an Arkansas Vehicle Registration Change

Arkansas administers registration and title records at the state level through the Office of Motor Vehicle, which establishes the operating procedures used in the State Revenue Offices. Transactions may be handled in three ways:

Online through the MyDMV service, which allows an owner to register a vehicle, apply for a title, transfer a license plate, pay sales tax, request a replacement title, and update the renewal address.
In person at any State Revenue Office, including the Central Revenue Office in Little Rock, which offers an expedited title option with 3-business-day processing.
By mail to the Office of Motor Vehicle at PO Box 3153, Little Rock, AR 72203-3153 for registrations in which no information other than the address has changed.

A feature particular to Arkansas is the county-level prerequisite that must be met before registration. Before a registration or renewal can be completed, the vehicle must be assessed by the county assessor, any personal property taxes must be paid, and liability insurance must be maintained on the vehicle. These conditions are automatically checked against the registration record before renewal by phone or internet is allowed.

Arkansas Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

Arkansas provides an online change of address service for the vehicle registration record, described as "Change Your Renewal Address," which updates the mailing address used for tags and renewal notices. An address-only change does not prevent renewal by phone, internet, or mail.

The driver license and vehicle records are updated separately. An address on a driver license or state identification card can be changed online at no charge, and a duplicate card may be ordered separately. Owners who renew by mail after moving should include the current vehicle registration and updated address with the renewal payment.

Arkansas Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change in Arkansas is both a registration matter and a title matter because the owner name on the registration must agree with the certified title of ownership. Arkansas law requires that an application for title be signed by the owner or owners of the vehicle. When joint ownership is indicated by "AND" on the title, lien contract, or manufacturer's statement of origin, the signatures of all owners are required; an incomplete application will be rejected.

To correct a name on a title, the owner applies to the State Revenue Office using an application for title or replacement title along with documentation of the name change. When a lien is recorded, the lienholder's release or permission is required, and DFA publishes an Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title form for that purpose. The fee to issue a replacement title is $10.00.

Correcting Incorrect Information on an Arkansas Registration Record

The correction process depends on whether the error appears on the registration record or on the title record.

Items on the registration record may be corrected at renewal or through any State Revenue Office, and a corrected or replacement registration can be requested with the proper documentation. When a license plate is transferred to another vehicle, the $1.00 tag transfer fee applies, and when the plate moves to a higher weight class, the difference between the two registration fees is also charged.

Errors in the title itself require a new title application. A lost, mutilated, or stolen title may be replaced by the titled owner of record for a $10.00 fee, and the last titled owner or owners must sign the application. DFA also publishes an Affidavit of Alteration form (10-308) for cases involving altered title documents. When a vehicle is sold, the seller should complete a Notice of Transfer of Ownership to notify the state of the transfer and to protect the seller from liability arising after the sale.

Arkansas Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

A newly purchased motor vehicle must be registered within 60 days of the date of purchase.
A new resident has 60 calendar days after becoming a resident to register a vehicle in Arkansas, consistent with the time period in Arkansas Code § 27-14-723.
A dealer must issue a temporary tag within the first 10 days after purchase of a motor vehicle; the temporary tag remains valid for 60 calendar days from issuance.
Registration late penalties consist of a 10% sales tax penalty on the total sales tax due, plus $3.00 for every 10 days the motor vehicle remains unregistered.
Before renewal, the vehicle must appear on the current-year personal property assessment with the county assessor, and personal property taxes must be paid up to date.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in Arkansas?

Arkansas vehicle registration and title records are administered by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Office of Motor Vehicle, which publishes a statewide fee schedule for title transactions and registration by vehicle type and weight. The current amounts for the most common changes are listed in the table below.

Registration Change or Service	Fee
Change of address on registration	— (MyDMV page)
Title fee (new title or title transfer)	$10.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Replacement (duplicate) title	$10.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Tag transfer fee to another vehicle	$1.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Lien filing fee	$0.50 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration—passenger cars and motor homes, 3,000 lbs or less	$17.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration—passenger cars and motor homes, 3,001–4,500 lbs	$25.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration—passenger cars and motor homes, 4,501 lbs and over	$30.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration—trucks and vans, ½ ton and ¾ ton, or 1 ton personal use	$21.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration—motorcycles 250 CC or more	$7.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration—motorcycles less than 250 CC	$3.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Registration — mobile/manufactured homes	$26.00 (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)
Validation decal	$2.50, plus $0.50 postage (Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule)

Contact Information

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Office of Motor Vehicle
Ragland Building, 1900 West 7th Street, Suite 1010, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-4692
Official Website: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Office of Motor Vehicle