Transferring a Car Title in Alaska
Steps and fees to transfer a vehicle title in Alaska when you buy, sell or inherit a car, and the deadline to register after moving.
Short answer: An Alaska resident who buys a vehicle must apply for a title in their name within 30 days of the sale. Alaska DMV, Titles; New Vehicle; Selling a Vehicle in Alaska; Deceased Owner
| Transferring a car title | An Alaska resident who buys a vehicle must apply for a title in their name within 30 days of the sale. The buyer submits the title (properly released by the seller and assigned to the buyer) or manufacturer's certificate of origin, a Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1), and an odometer reading for vehicles under 12,000 pounds and less than 20 years old, at a DMV office or by mail to DMV headquarters in Anchorage; the title fee is $15 (plus $15 to record a lien). The seller signs the title assignment, gives the title to the buyer, and should send the Notice of Vehicle Sale to the DMV (it can also be recorded online). If the owner has died, a surviving "OR" co-owner may release the title; otherwise a court-appointed estate representative signs, or for estates of $150,000 or less a successor may use the small-estate affidavit (Form 827). Other pages: https://dmv.alaska.gov/vehicle-services/titles/ ; https://dmv.alaska.gov/vehicle-services/selling-a-vehicle-in-alaska/ ; https://dmv.alaska.gov/vehicle-services/deceased-owner/ |
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| Registering after you move | New residents must transfer an out-of-state driver license within 90 days (30 days for commercial drivers), which requires a written knowledge test, a vision test and identity and residence documents; a driving test is not required for someone who has held a license from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canada or South Korea in the last five years. A person establishing residency must apply for vehicle registration within 10 days of entering the state or taking a job in Alaska (visitors may drive on a current out-of-state registration for 60 days). Some vehicles may need an inspection and receive temporary registration. |
More Alaska car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Alaska
- Driving Without Insurance in Alaska
- SR-22 Insurance in Alaska
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Alaska
- All Alaska car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
How do you transfer a car title in Alaska?
An Alaska resident who buys a vehicle must apply for a title in their name within 30 days of the sale. The buyer submits the title (properly released by the seller and assigned to the buyer) or manufacturer's certificate of origin, a Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1), and an odometer reading for vehicles under 12,000 pounds and less than 20 years old, at a DMV office or by mail to DMV headquarters in Anchorage; the title fee is $15 (plus $15 to record a lien). The seller signs the title assignment, gives the title to the buyer, and should send the Notice of Vehicle Sale to the DMV (it can also be recorded online). If the owner has died, a surviving "OR" co-owner may release the title; otherwise a court-appointed estate representative signs, or for estates of $150,000 or less a successor may use the small-estate affidavit (Form 827).
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Alaska?
New residents must transfer an out-of-state driver license within 90 days (30 days for commercial drivers), which requires a written knowledge test, a vision test and identity and residence documents; a driving test is not required for someone who has held a license from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canada or South Korea in the last five years. A person establishing residency must apply for vehicle registration within 10 days of entering the state or taking a job in Alaska (visitors may drive on a current out-of-state registration for 60 days). Some vehicles may need an inspection and receive temporary registration.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.