What You Need to Transfer a Car Title in Arkansas

To transfer a car title in Arkansas, you’ll need a properly assigned title, a bill of sale with purchase price, odometer disclosure (for applicable model years), valid ID, proof of Arkansas liability insurance, county property assessment paperwork and proof you’re not delinquent on personal property taxes, a lien release if there’s a loan, and a completed Arkansas Vehicle Registration Application. You must take these to a Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Revenue Office and complete the process—paying applicable sales/use tax and fees—within 30 days of purchase or moving into the state.

Who handles the title transfer—and when

Most dealership purchases are processed by the dealer on your behalf. For private-party sales or out-of-state vehicles you bring into Arkansas, you (or your lienholder) must complete the transfer at a DFA Revenue Office. Arkansas law generally requires titling and registering a newly acquired vehicle within 30 days to avoid penalties and interest on tax.

Documents you’ll need

The following items are typically required to transfer a vehicle title at an Arkansas DFA Revenue Office. Having originals (and copies where helpful) will streamline your visit.

• Assigned title: The existing title signed by the seller and buyer, including purchase price and odometer reading (if space is provided). For out-of-state vehicles, bring the out-of-state title.
• Odometer disclosure: Required for vehicles of model year 2011 and newer until they are 20 years old, consistent with federal rules. The disclosure is often on the title; otherwise, use the DFA’s odometer form.
• Bill of sale: Shows buyer/seller names, purchase price, date of sale, VIN, year, make, and model. This helps the state calculate sales/use tax.
• Lien release or lienholder information: If a loan is paid off, a lien release is required. If financing a purchase, your lender may record a lien on the new Arkansas title.
• Proof of Arkansas liability insurance: An insurance card or electronic proof meeting state minimums.
• Valid identification: Typically an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID.
• Vehicle Registration Application: The Arkansas application to title and register the vehicle (available at DFA offices and online).
• County assessment and tax status: Proof you have assessed your personal property (including the newly purchased vehicle) with your county assessor, and proof you have no delinquent personal property taxes (a paid tax receipt from the county collector if applicable).
• VIN verification (if required): Arkansas may require a VIN inspection in certain situations—commonly for some out-of-state, salvage, or corrected-title cases. Check with DFA before you go.
• Name-change or legal documents (if applicable): Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or power of attorney if someone is acting on your behalf.

While not every item applies to every transfer, these are the most common documents requested, and missing any can delay issuance of the title and registration.

Step-by-step: How to transfer an Arkansas car title

Follow these steps to make sure your Arkansas title transfer is accepted the first time and you avoid late penalties and tax interest.

1. Get the title properly assigned: Check the seller’s signature, buyer’s name, odometer disclosure (if applicable), and purchase price on the title. If there’s no space for price, use a bill of sale.
2. Assess the vehicle at your county assessor: Add the newly purchased vehicle to your personal property assessment. If you’re new to Arkansas, establish your assessment with the county.
3. Confirm tax status: Ensure you have no delinquent personal property taxes and bring the latest paid tax receipt if you were an Arkansas resident last year.
4. Secure insurance: Obtain Arkansas liability insurance and bring proof.
5. Complete the Vehicle Registration Application: Fill out the Arkansas form for title and registration (available at DFA).
6. Go to a DFA Revenue Office within 30 days: Bring all documents. You’ll pay state/local sales or use tax, the title fee, registration and plate fees, and any lien recording fees.
7. Receive your registration and plates: Arkansas plates are assigned to the owner and can often be transferred between vehicles of the same type; ask the clerk if you plan to move an existing plate.
8. Track the title: If there’s no lien, the paper title is mailed to you. If there’s a lien, Arkansas may hold or electronically deliver the title to the lienholder until the lien is released.

Completing these steps promptly keeps you legal to drive and ensures the vehicle record is updated in your name without penalties or delays.

Taxes, fees, and timing

What you can expect to pay

Arkansas collects state and local sales or use tax on vehicle purchases based on the purchase price (minus any qualifying trade-in). Additional fees apply for titling and registration, and there may be a lien recording fee if you finance the vehicle. Local rates vary by county and city.

Arrive prepared with a realistic estimate of your tax and fee total, as you’ll pay these at the DFA Revenue Office when you transfer the title and register the vehicle.

• Sales/use tax: Calculated on the purchase price and applicable local taxes; bring a bill of sale to support the amount paid.
• Title fee: A standard state fee is charged to issue the Arkansas certificate of title.
• Registration and plate fees: Vary by vehicle type, weight, and plate choice; optional specialty plates cost more.
• Lien recording fee (if applicable): Charged when a lienholder is listed on the title.
• Penalties/interest: May apply if you miss the 30-day deadline to title and pay tax.

Exact amounts can change, so check with the DFA Office of Motor Vehicle before you go or use their online calculators where available.

Special situations

Private-party purchases

For buyer-to-buyer transactions, you’ll handle all paperwork yourself at a DFA Revenue Office—be sure the title is properly assigned and the bill of sale is complete. Temporary tags are available in some circumstances; ask DFA about eligibility and cost if you need to drive before plates are issued.

Dealer purchases

Dealers commonly collect taxes and fees and submit title paperwork for you. Keep all receipts and follow up if you don’t receive registration or plates within the timeframe the dealer provided. If you financed the vehicle, expect the title to list your lienholder.

Out-of-state titles and new Arkansas residents

If you move to Arkansas or buy a vehicle titled elsewhere, bring the out-of-state title, purchase documentation, proof of Arkansas insurance, and complete county assessment steps. A VIN verification may be required in specific cases—confirm with DFA before your visit.

Gifts, inheritance, divorce, and trust transfers

Arkansas may require additional documents for non-sale transfers, such as gift affidavits, probate orders, wills, or court decrees. Sales/use tax can still apply to some gifts depending on the relationship and documentation. Contact DFA in advance to confirm required forms and whether a tax exemption applies to your situation.

Common mistakes that delay a title transfer

Avoid these frequent pitfalls to save a second trip to the Revenue Office.

• Missing or incomplete seller/buyer signatures or an incorrect odometer disclosure for applicable model years.
• No bill of sale or insufficient information to support the purchase price for tax purposes.
• Skipping county assessment or arriving with delinquent personal property taxes.
• Lien not properly released on a prior title, or absent lienholder information for financed purchases.
• Lack of Arkansas insurance at the time of registration.
• Waiting longer than 30 days, leading to penalties and interest.

Double-checking your documents before you go—especially signatures, VINs, and tax/assessment proofs—prevents most delays.

Where to go and how to confirm requirements

Title transfers are handled at Arkansas DFA Revenue Offices statewide. Many forms and location details are available on the DFA Office of Motor Vehicle website. If your case involves special circumstances (salvage, out-of-state, inheritance, or gifts), call ahead to verify documents and whether you’ll need a VIN verification.

Helpful resource: Arkansas DFA Office of Motor Vehicle

Summary

To transfer a car title in Arkansas, bring an assigned title, odometer disclosure (for 2011 and newer models until 20 years old), a bill of sale, valid ID, Arkansas insurance, county assessment proof and non-delinquency of personal property taxes, any lien release, and a completed Vehicle Registration Application to a DFA Revenue Office within 30 days. You’ll pay sales/use tax, title, and registration fees at that time. Extra documents can be required for out-of-state, gifted, inherited, or financed vehicles, so check with DFA in advance if your situation isn’t a standard purchase.

Is a bill of sale required in Arkansas?

Yes, a bill of sale is required in Arkansas when transferring a vehicle title, but you might not need a separate one if the existing title has the necessary fields for odometer readings and purchase price. For older titles lacking these fields, or for out-of-state vehicle titles, a completed bill of sale is necessary for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to process the title transfer.
 
When you need a Bill of Sale:

• Transferring a vehicle title: in Arkansas. 
• When the vehicle title is from out of state . 
• If the vehicle title is older: and does not have the required fields for odometer reading and purchase price on the back of the title. 

When you might not need a Bill of Sale: 

• If the existing vehicle title has the appropriate fields to record the odometer reading and purchase price, and these fields are properly completed.

Key points to remember:

• The Bill of Sale serves as an odometer disclosure statement, which is a federal requirement. 
• The bill of sale must contain all necessary information, such as the buyer’s and seller’s names, contact details, the item’s description, sale price, date of the sale, and signatures. 
• For a valid title transfer in Arkansas, the bill of sale is an essential document. 

How much is a car title transfer in Arkansas?

License Plate Fees in Arkansas
– Title Transfer Fee: The title transfer fee in Arkansas is $10. It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change, so be sure to check with the local DFA office for the most up-to-date information.

What do I need to transfer a car title in Arkansas?

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1. Completed Arkansas title with the sellers and buyers names printed, signed and dated on all required areas.
2. Vehicle Identification Number.
3. Bill of sale.
4. Proof of insurance.
5. Federal odometer statement.

Do both parties need to be present to get a bill of sale notarized?

If both buyer and seller are required to sign, then both will have to appear before a notary, but not necessarily the same notary or even at the same time. A split signing could accomplish getting both signatures notarized if that’s more convenient.