How To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Arkansas in 2026

In Arkansas, transferring a vehicle title to a family member involves a formal legal procedure managed by the Office of Motor Vehicle within the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). The transfer itself can be executed as a gift (with no monetary exchange) or as a private sale at an agreed price, each with separate tax consequences. To properly record the transfer of ownership in Arkansas's vehicle titling system, both the current and new owners must follow the DFA's required procedures.

What Does Transferring a Car Title to a Family Member in Arkansas Mean?

A motor vehicle title transfer in Arkansas is the formal legal process through which recorded ownership of a vehicle passes from one individual to another via the state's official titling system. The Arkansas certificate of title, issued by the DFA Office of Motor Vehicle, serves as the primary legal instrument establishing ownership of any motor vehicle registered in the state. The original owner remains the party of record until a new certificate of title is issued in the recipient's name.

All title applications in Arkansas are submitted at DFA-operated State Revenue Offices. The Office of Motor Vehicle examines every title application submitted through those offices for accuracy and compliance with state law, authorizes title production for all approved applications, and maintains the official state repository for vehicle registration, title, and lien records.

The transferee must apply for registration within 60 days of the date of transfer. Standard title processing occurs following the DFA's review of the submitted application. An expedited title is available for applicants who appear in person at the Central Revenue Office in Little Rock for an additional fee of $10.00 and can be picked up within three business days.

Eligible Family Members for Title Transfers in Arkansas

Arkansas law does not enumerate a closed list of family relationships that automatically qualify a vehicle transfer for tax-exempt treatment. The applicable tax treatment is determined by the nature of the transaction. Under Arkansas sales and use tax law as administered by the DFA, a vehicle transfer that constitutes a genuine gift is not treated as a taxable "sale," and no state sales or use tax is assessed at the time of registration.

A transaction does not qualify as a gift if any monetary consideration changes hands in connection with the transfer. This rule applies regardless of the family relationship between the parties.

Family relationships for which vehicle title transfers are routinely processed in Arkansas include:

• Spouses
• Parents and children (including stepparents and stepchildren)
• Grandparents and grandchildren
• Siblings
• In-laws
• Other close relatives

Regardless of the relationship, both parties must complete the standard title transfer documentation and submit the application to the State Revenue Office. When a sale occurs between family members — including a transaction at a reduced price — state sales and use tax applies to the gross purchase price at the time of registration, subject to the tiered rate structure detailed in the Cost section of this article.

How To Transfer a Car Title as a Gift to a Family Member in Arkansas

When a vehicle is transferred as a gift, with no monetary consideration, the following steps govern the process:

Step 1 — Confirm the absence of monetary consideration. A gift transfer must involve no payment of any kind. The presence of any monetary exchange — regardless of amount — converts the transaction to a taxable sale under Arkansas law. Both parties must confirm the transfer is unconditional prior to completing the title paperwork.

Step 2 — Complete the assignment on the reverse of the certificate of title. The current owner (donor) must complete the assignment section printed on the back of the existing Arkansas certificate of title. The transferor must print — not sign only — the transferee's full legal name in the assignment section. Both parties must sign and print their names in the designated areas. The following information must be entered:

• The recipient's full legal name and Arkansas address
• The date of transfer
• "Gift" or "$0.00" entered in the purchase price field
• The current odometer reading (required for vehicles subject to odometer disclosure — see Step 3)
• The donor's signature and printed name
• The recipient's signature and printed name

Step 3 — Complete the Odometer Statement. Federal regulation requires a written odometer disclosure at the time of ownership transfer for most motor vehicles. The DFA Odometer Statement must be completed and signed by both the donor and recipient for vehicles subject to this requirement.

Step 4 — Prepare a Bill of Sale. A bill of sale is strongly recommended for all gift transfers, even when no payment is involved. The document should identify the vehicle by year, make, model, and VIN; provide the full names and addresses of both parties; state the date of transfer; and include a notation that no monetary consideration was exchanged. Both parties should retain signed copies.

Step 5 — Submit the application to a State Revenue Office. The recipient must appear in person at a State Revenue Office and present all of the following:

• The assigned certificate of title
• Completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381)
• Completed Odometer Statement (if applicable)
• Proof of Arkansas automobile liability insurance
• Proof of personal property tax assessment or property taxes paid for the current year
• Valid government-issued photo identification
• Payment for applicable fees

Step 6 — Obtain the new title and registration. The DFA Revenue Agent processes the application upon submission. The new certificate of title is mailed to the recipient following DFA review. Vehicle registration and license plates are issued during the office visit.

Step 7 — File a Notice of Transfer (recommended). Following the gift transfer, the donor may submit a Release of Liability notification online through the DFA's MyDMV service. An owner who has completed a bona fide transfer and delivered possession of the vehicle is not liable for damages resulting from the vehicle's subsequent operation. Filing the notification creates a formal record of the transfer date.

How To Transfer a Car Title as a Sale to a Family Member in Arkansas

When a family member purchases a vehicle at an agreed price, the transaction is processed as a private sale. The steps below apply:

Step 1 — Agree on a purchase price and complete the title assignment. Both parties must complete the assignment section on the reverse of the existing Arkansas certificate of title. The following information must be entered, and both the seller and buyer must sign and print their names in the respective designated areas:

• The buyer's full legal name and Arkansas address
• The agreed purchase price
• The date of transfer
• The current odometer reading (if the vehicle is subject to odometer disclosure requirements)

Step 2 — Prepare a Bill of Sale. A written bill of sale is required for sale transfers and serves as documentation for sales tax assessment. The bill of sale must include:

• Vehicle year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Full legal names and addresses of both parties
• The agreed sale price
• Date of transfer
• Signatures of both the seller and the buyer

Step 3 — Obtain a lien release if applicable. If a lienholder is recorded on the existing title, the seller must secure a completed Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315) from the lienholder. This document must be presented at the time of the title application.

Step 4 — Complete the Odometer Statement. The seller must provide the buyer with a completed Odometer Statement for all vehicles subject to the federal odometer disclosure requirement.

Step 5 — The buyer submits the application at a State Revenue Office. The buyer must appear in person at a State Revenue Office and present:

• The assigned certificate of title
• Completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381)
• Bill of Sale
• Odometer Statement (if applicable)
• Lien release documentation (if applicable)
• Proof of Arkansas automobile liability insurance
• Proof of personal property tax assessment or property taxes paid for the current year
• Valid government-issued photo identification

At the time of submission, the Revenue Agent will collect:

• The title transfer fee
• State sales and use tax on the gross purchase price, calculated per the tiered rate structure established under Act 1013 of 2021
• Applicable local city and county sales and use taxes
• Vehicle registration and validation decal fees

Step 6 — Register the vehicle. The buyer registers the vehicle in their name and receives Arkansas license plates during the visit to the Revenue Office. Registration fees are assessed based on vehicle type and manufacturer-rated weight class.

Step 7 — Seller files a Notice of Transfer. The seller is encouraged to file a Release of Liability notification through the DFA's MyDMV portal after the sale is completed to establish a formal record of the ownership change date.

What Documents Are Needed To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Arkansas

Required for All Transfers

• Arkansas Certificate of Title — The existing title, with the full assignment section on the reverse, completed by both parties. The transferor must print the transferee's name, and both parties must sign and print their names in the designated areas, consistent with the requirements of § 27-14-902.
• Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381) — The standard DFA registration and title application, completed by the new owner. Captures vehicle identification data, owner information, and any lienholder details.
• Odometer Statement — Required for most motor vehicles under federal regulation and Arkansas Motor Vehicle Regulation 1995-1. The Odometer Statement must be signed by both the transferor and transferee.
• Proof of Arkansas Automobile Liability Insurance — Current, valid insurance documentation covering the vehicle being transferred and registered.
• Proof of Personal Property Tax Assessment or Taxes Paid — A paper copy of the current year's personal property assessment or a tax payment receipt, as required for vehicle registration in Arkansas.
• Valid Government-Issued Photo Identification — Presented by the new owner at the Revenue Office.

Required for Sale Transfers Only

• Bill of Sale — Documents the agreed purchase price, vehicle description (year, make, model, VIN), full names and addresses of both parties, date of transfer, and signatures of seller and buyer.

Additional Documents That May Be Required

• Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315) — Required when a lienholder is recorded on the existing certificate of title. The lienholder must execute this form, and it must be presented at the time of the title application.
• Power of Attorney for Vehicle Transactions — Required when an authorized representative is signing on behalf of an owner who is unable to appear in person at the Revenue Office.

Note: Arkansas does not require notarization of title assignments or supporting documents for standard vehicle transfers. The federal odometer disclosure requirement, governed by 49 CFR Part 580, applies to most motor vehicles. Exempt vehicles include those with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 16,000 lbs., non-self-propelled vehicles, vehicles sold directly by the manufacturer to a federal agency, and vehicles that are 20 or more model years old as determined by the applicable federal threshold.

How To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member Online in Arkansas

A standard title transfer cannot be completed entirely online in Arkansas. The new owner must appear in person at a State Revenue Office to accomplish the following:

• Submit the assigned certificate of title and all supporting documents
• Pay the applicable title fee, any sales and use tax due (for sale transfers), and vehicle registration fees
• Obtain the new registration and license plates

Applications for an expedited title are also processed exclusively in person at the Central Revenue Office in the Ragland Building, Little Rock.

What's the Cost To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Arkansas?

All official fees are established by the DFA and published in the Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule.

Title Fees

Registration Fees

Annual registration fees are determined by vehicle type and manufacturer-rated weight class, per the DFA registration fee schedule:

When transferring a current license plate to a higher weight class, the difference between the two applicable registration fees is charged in addition to the $1.00 tag transfer fee. No refund is issued when transferring to a lower weight class.

Sales and Use Tax

When a vehicle is transferred as a sale, state sales and use tax is due at the time of registration and is collected by the Revenue Agent. Arkansas applies a tiered rate structure to used motor vehicles, as established under Act 1013 of 2021 and detailed by the DFA:

• Gross purchase price under $4,000: No state sales or use tax is collected.
• Gross purchase price of $4,000 through $9,999: A reduced state rate of 3.5% applies.
• Gross purchase price of $10,000 or more: The standard state rate of 6.5% applies. Texarkana residents are subject to a 7% rate.

Local city and county sales and use taxes may apply in addition to the state rate, based on the purchaser's county of residence. Local tax is not subject to the reduced 3.5% rate and is assessed independently. Each applicable local tax is capped at $25.00 per 1% of tax due.

Gift transfers: A vehicle transferred as a documented gift — with no monetary consideration of any kind — is not a taxable sale under Arkansas law. No state sales or use tax is collected at the time of registration for a qualified gift transfer.

Contact Information

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