Arizona Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Arizona costs $4 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $269.42 in total, with no state sales tax and the rest for title and registration.
Arizona title fees
These are the title-related fees in Arizona's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $4 |
|---|
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Arizona
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Arizona car tax calculator:
| Title | $4 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale (none) | $0 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $8 |
| Air quality fee (if you register it now) | $1.50 |
| Vehicle license tax (VLT) (if you register it now) | $255.92 |
| Estimated total | $269.42 |
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 | No TPT; title, registration and VLT still due |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance / non-probate | No TPT; title, registration and VLT still due |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Arizona
| Casual private sale | No TPT or use tax; title, registration, VLT and air fee still due |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle | No $1.50 air quality fee; no separate EV surcharge |
| VLT base | Uses manufacturer's base retail price, not negotiated sale price |
| Title deadline | Within 15 days of purchase |
How Arizona works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price + doc fee - trade-in - assigned rebate
- Tax = taxable base x (5.6% state + county/city rate)
- Out-of-state purchase: use tax at domicile rate minus tax paid elsewhere
- VLT = (assessed value / 100) x rate, minimum $10
- Total = tax + title + registration + air quality fee + area fee + VLT + permit
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 Arizona: www.azleg.gov, azdor.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Arizona?
The title fee is $4. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, fees and registration come to about $269.42.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Arizona?
Arizona 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 Arizona?
Gift: No TPT; title, registration and VLT still due.
What happens to a car title after a death in Arizona?
Inheritance / non-probate: No TPT; title, registration and VLT still due.