How To Transfer a Car Title in Arkansas
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Arkansas mandates a vehicle title to establish vehicle ownership (subject to specific limits and vehicle types).
Both the buyer and seller must undertake several specific procedures to guarantee the proper transfer of the title during the sale process including:
- Both must sign the AR vehicle title
- Complete the Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement
- Bring the documents to the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles
- Pay the $10 title transfer fee
This article covers all you need to know about how to transfer a car title in Arkansas.
Key Takeaways
The basic steps to transferring a car title in Arkansas include:
- Gather the necessary documents, including signed title and bill of sale.
- Get a lien release if there are any liens on the car.
- Complete the title transfer application and vehicle registration application.
- Pay the transfer fee and sales tax if applicable
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Documents Needed To Facilitate a Car Title Transfer in Arkansas
- How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas When You're the Buyer
- How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas When You're the Seller
- How To Transfer Car Ownership Without a Title in Arkansas
- How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas When the Owner Is Late
- How To Register a Car in Arkansas
- How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas If You Have an Out-of-State Title
- Conclusion
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
Documents Needed To Facilitate a Car Title Transfer in Arkansas
To transfer a car's title to a new owner, you must provide the following documents:
- A completed Arkansas title with the seller's and buyer's names typed, endorsed, and dated in all requisite fields.
- The Vehicle Identification Number.
- The Bill of Sale.
- Proof of a valid AR auto insurance policy.
- An odometer statement.
- A valid driver's license of the buyer and seller.
- Payment of the applicable title transfer, registration fees, and taxes.
Most Arkansas residents can complete the mandatory formalities and receive their vehicle's updated title, registration, and plates by mail within a few weeks.
How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas When You're the Buyer
Below are the steps for transferring a car title in Arkansas.
1. Obtain a duly signed title from the seller
The seller must sign and date the title form.
2. Obtain a lien release from the seller if any liens cover the vehicle
This should include a signed lien agreement and the Official Release of the Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title.
3. Obtain a bill of sale and odometer disclosure statement from the seller
Note that Arkansas requires these only if the control number is below 3003001 or you purchased a car that was registered outside of Arkansas.
4. Complete the Vehicle Registration Application
Visit the OMV office and pay the transfer fee of $10, in addition to the state and local taxes and registration charges (which vary based on the vehicle type and the county).
Fees may include:
- Vehicle registration: $17-$30 depending on weight
- Title transfer fee: $10
- Tag transfer fee: $1
- Lien filing fee: $.50
- AR car sales tax: 6.5% (up to 11.5% with local taxes)
How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas When You're the Seller
- Sign under the seller heading on the current title. Be sure to date it and fill out all required fields.
- Fill out and sign the Official Release of Lien form. If there are any lien-related documents, these must be presented to the buyer.
- Odometer disclosure statement. If the car is less than a decade old, complete an odometer disclosure statement and hand it over to the buyer. (Note that this is only mandatory if the control digits on the title are less than 3003001).
- Execute a bill of sale (once again, this is required only if the control number satisfies the criteria).
- Complete the Notice of Transfer of Ownership. This form can be submitted in person to the Revenue Department or sent via mail to the address listed below:
- Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 1272 Records Unit, Room 1100 Little Rock, AR 72203.
How To Transfer Car Ownership Without a Title in Arkansas
To transfer vehicle ownership in Arkansas without a title, visit the local Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration office and furnish the following:
- Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381): This form must be completed with the last title owner's signature or multiple owners listed.
- Permission to Issue a Replacement Title (Form 10-315): The lien holder must file this form if there is a lien on the vehicle.
- Payment of the $10 fee for a duplicate Arkansas vehicle title.
Additional documents that may be required include:
- Valid driver's license or ID card.
- License plate number.
- Vehicle's VIN, make, model, and year.
- Proof of ownership through vehicle registration.
- Detailed lien information and power of attorney.
For in-person replacement of the vehicle title, follow these steps:
- Locate the nearest Arkansas OMV facility.
- Provide valid identification as proof.
- Present evidence of vehicle ownership.
- Submit the required form.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
How Long Does the Title Transfer Process Take?
The Arkansas title replacement request is processed on-site, but it may take until the following day to receive the replacement title.
Ensuring accuracy in your license information is crucial to avoid mistakenly sending forms to an incorrect address. The duplicate Arkansas title should arrive by mail within 2 to 3 weeks.
How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas When the Owner Is Late
As a surviving spouse, beneficiary, or joint owner, you have the legal backing to transfer the vehicle title to another party following the owner's death.
The procedure for transferring a vehicle title depends on whether the vehicle was owned jointly or if the title was in the decedent's name.
If the vehicle's title was only in the decedent's name, determine whether the estate is undergoing probate.
Probate procedures come into play when no beneficiaries or living spouses are listed in the will. A probate court then determines the next steps concerning the deceased's assets.
How To Register a Car in Arkansas
After successfully transferring the vehicle's title, the registration process is mandatory to operate the vehicle on public roads legally. This procedure is required annually.
- Get the new title. Before registration, you must possess an Arkansas title for your vehicle and valid auto insurance that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements.
- The cost of registering your vehicle is contingent on its weight. For example, vehicles weighing 3,000 lbs or less attract a fee of only $17 annually, while those weighing over 4,500 lbs are $30.
- Additional fees. You will also be required to pay additional charges, such as the validation decal fee, which costs $2.50 and is mandatory for all automobiles once every two or three years, and postage fees (if registering by mail), which cost $0.39.
How To Transfer Car Title in Arkansas If You Have an Out-of-State Title
When transitioning your residency from one state to another, you must transfer the vehicle's title to your new state.
You may need to provide vehicle identification number (VIN) verification and show liability auto insurance in Arkansas.
The process is as follows:
- Perform an emissions test for your vehicle, if applicable.
- Visit the nearest Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location in Arkansas.
- Complete the requisite application forms as per the transfer process.
- Submit the relevant out-of-state documents, including the vehicle title and registration.
- Provide substantiation of a valid Arkansas auto insurance policy, VIN verification, and the recorded odometer reading.
- Fulfill the applicable car title transfer fees and any related expenses.
Conclusion
You must transfer your title in Arkansas when buying or selling a vehicle. The process is fairly simple. The buyer and seller must sign the title form, complete the bill of sale, and get an odometer reading. Along with these documents, bring your ID to the AR DMV to complete the process and pay the nominal $10 fee.
Check out our guides on how to transfer a car title in all 50 states!
