You do not have to notarize a car title in Arizona. The state removed that requirement in October 2022, and private-party title transfers between Arizona residents now go through without a notary stamp on the seller’s signature.1Arizona Secretary of State. Arizona Notary Manual The seller signs and dates the Certificate of Title in the assignment section on the back, the buyer signs as well, and that is enough for the Motor Vehicle Division to process the transfer.
For years before that change, Arizona law required a notary public to witness the seller’s signature on the title. The purpose was fraud prevention: the notary confirmed the person signing away ownership was who they claimed to be. When the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division updated its procedures, notarization became optional for in-state transfers rather than mandatory.1Arizona Secretary of State. Arizona Notary Manual
When Notarization Is Still Worth Doing
Even though Arizona no longer requires it, there are a few situations where paying for a notary stamp is still smart.
The first is an out-of-state buyer. If the person buying your car is going to register it in another state, that state’s DMV may not yet recognize Arizona’s rule change. Some out-of-state agencies still expect a notarized seller’s signature on the title they receive from Arizona, and an un-notarized title can be rejected. A notary stamp costs a few dollars and eliminates the risk of the buyer coming back to you weeks later asking for a corrected document.
The second is a high-value sale. Notarization creates a verified record of who signed the title and when. If a dispute ever arises over whether the seller actually authorized the transfer, a notarized signature is much harder to challenge than an unwitnessed one. For an expensive vehicle, that extra layer of proof can be worth the small cost.
If you do decide to notarize, do not sign the title before you get to the notary. The whole purpose of notarization is that the notary watches you sign. Bring the unsigned title, sign it in front of them, and let them complete the acknowledgment.
How to Sign the Title Correctly
Because there is no notary in the picture for most sales, the seller’s careful handling of the title is what keeps the transfer valid. The seller signs on the back of the Certificate of Title in the designated assignment section. The buyer signs the back of the title as well, and both parties sign the Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236), which captures the vehicle identification number, odometer reading, date of sale, and sale price.2Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Title and Registration Application Form 96-0236
Any errors, cross-outs, or corrections on the title itself can void the document. Write carefully, and copy the information exactly as it appears on the existing title.
If the title lists more than one owner, the legal status notation between the names controls who has to sign:
- “Or” — either owner can sign alone.
- “And” — both owners must sign.
- “And/Or” — both owners must sign.
This trips people up constantly. If the title says “And” and only one owner signs, MVD will reject the transfer. Check the legal status line before anyone picks up a pen.3Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Title Transfer Bill of Sale
One practical rule: do not sign the title until the buyer has paid you in full. A signed title is essentially a blank check for ownership. Once your signature is on it, the document can be used to transfer the vehicle to anyone.
If the Title Is Electronic
If your title is held electronically, you need to request a paper copy before you can sign it over. The owner of record can order one through AZ MVD Now or by mail for $4, and mail requests can take up to six weeks.4Department of Transportation. How Do I Apply for a Duplicate Title and What Is the Fee Plan ahead if you know you are going to sell.
Arizona also offers an eTitle Transfer through AZ MVD Now that avoids paper entirely. Both parties need active accounts with enhanced authentication. The buyer generates an eTitle Buyer Code and shares it with the seller, the seller logs in, enters the odometer reading and buyer code, and releases ownership, and the buyer completes the title and registration on their end. The online option is limited to passenger vehicles currently titled and registered in Arizona with no more than two owners. Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and any vehicle with an active lien cannot use it, and transfers involving a power of attorney or divorce decree must be handled in person.5Department of Transportation. Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle (eTitle Transfer)
A Bill of Sale Is Optional but Recommended
Arizona does not require a standalone bill of sale for a private transfer, and the state accepts a completed Title Transfer Bill of Sale (Form 38-1306) as an alternative to the title itself for vehicles already titled in Arizona.6Department of Transportation – AZdot.Gov. Vehicle Title Even when the title is available, drafting a separate bill of sale is smart practice. It records the sale price, the date possession changed hands, and the condition of the vehicle. The date matters because the seller can remain liable for accidents or violations until MVD records reflect the new owner, and a bill of sale draws a clear line for when the buyer took over.
File a Sold Notice Within 10 Days
The step that actually protects the seller after the sale is not notarization. It is filing a Sold Notice with MVD. Arizona requires this notice within 10 days of the sale, and it is free.7Department of Transportation – AZdot.Gov. Sold Notice The fastest way to file is through the AZ MVD Now portal at azmvdnow.gov, though you can also complete the form on the back of your vehicle registration and mail it in.8Department of Transportation. Sold Notice
Skipping this step is one of the most common and expensive mistakes sellers make. Without a Sold Notice on file, MVD records still show you as the owner. If the buyer gets into an accident, racks up traffic violations, or abandons the vehicle, you can be on the hook. Abandoned vehicle fees alone start at $500.8Department of Transportation. Sold Notice
Federal Odometer Disclosure Still Applies
Arizona’s rule change did not affect federal law. Federal regulations require the seller to make a written odometer disclosure during any private-party vehicle sale. The disclosure must include the odometer reading at the time of transfer, the date, both parties’ names and addresses, and the vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN. The seller must certify whether the reading reflects actual mileage, exceeds the odometer’s mechanical limits, or is inaccurate. Providing false information can result in federal fines or imprisonment.9eCFR. Part 580 – Odometer Disclosure Requirements
Arizona’s Title and Registration Application and the Bill of Sale form both include odometer certification fields, so completing those forms accurately satisfies the federal requirement. The buyer must also sign the disclosure, and the seller should keep a copy.9eCFR. Part 580 – Odometer Disclosure Requirements
Older vehicles are exempt from the disclosure requirement. For 2010 and earlier model years, no odometer disclosure is needed once the vehicle is at least 10 years old. For 2011 and later model years, the exemption starts at 20 years.9eCFR. Part 580 – Odometer Disclosure Requirements In 2026, that means 2010 and older models are exempt, while a 2011 model will not be exempt until 2031.