Alaska Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Alaska costs $15 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $115 in total, with no state sales tax and the rest for title and registration.
Alaska title fees
These are the title-related fees in Alaska's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Lien | $15 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Alaska
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Alaska car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale (none) | $0 |
| Registration (2 years) (if you register it now) | $100 |
| Estimated total | $115 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift / inheritance | No state sales tax |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Gift / inheritance | No state sales tax |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Alaska
| Senior 65+ (permanent) | No registration fee or MVRT; title and lien still due |
|---|---|
| Active-duty nonresident military | No MVRT; registration, title and lien still due |
| Leased vehicle | Treated as commercial; different registration schedule |
How Alaska works out what you owe
- Local tax = (price - trade-in) x municipal sales tax rate (if any)
- Registration = vehicle fee (+ $10 in person) + MVRT for location and model year
- Total = local tax + title + registration + lien + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Alaska: dmv.alaska.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Alaska?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, fees and registration come to about $115.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Alaska?
Alaska charges no state sales tax on this private sale, though title and registration fees still apply.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Alaska?
Gift / inheritance: No state sales tax.
What happens to a car title after a death in Alaska?
Gift / inheritance: No state sales tax.