How To Transfer a Car Title in Alaska 2026

Alaska residents who acquire a motor vehicle through purchase, gift, inheritance, or any other means of conveyance are obligated under AS 28.10.271 to apply for a certificate of title in their name within 30 days of the date of sale or transfer. Failure to satisfy this deadline may result in registration complications, processing delays, and difficulties establishing clear legal ownership. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (Alaska DMV) administers all vehicle titling transactions and is the designated authority responsible for issuing certificates of title to qualifying applicants.

Required Documents for Title Transfer in Alaska

The table below lists all documents required before initiating a vehicle title transfer in Alaska. Requirements marked "Conditional" apply only under the specific circumstances noted.

Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Alaska

Step 1: Complete the Assignment of Vehicle Title

The seller bears the initial responsibility for properly executing the assignment section located on the reverse side of the certificate of title. Per Alaska DMV requirements, the completed assignment must accurately reflect the following:

• The buyer's full legal name and mailing address
• The date of the sale or transfer
• The vehicle's odometer reading at the time of the transaction (where applicable)
• The printed name(s) and signature(s) of all sellers listed on the title

The applicable signature requirement depends on the conjunction used between the co-owners' names on the front of the title. Where the conjunction is "OR," a single co-owner's signature is sufficient to release the title. Where the conjunction reads "AND," or where no conjunction is present between listed owners, all parties must sign before the title may be released. Federal law expressly prohibits the DMV from processing title applications in which the odometer disclosure statement or seller signature fields have not been fully completed; accordingly, no fields on the assignment section may be left blank.

Upon completing the assignment, the seller must deliver the original title to the buyer at the time the vehicle itself is delivered. Copies or photocopies of the title are not accepted in place of the original document.

Step 2: Report the Sale or Transfer to the Alaska DMV

In addition to completing the title assignment, the seller is required by Alaska statute to notify the DMV of the transfer or assignment of their ownership interest in the vehicle. This notification should be submitted as promptly as possible following the transfer. Sellers may satisfy this obligation through any of the following methods:

• Completing the Notice of Vehicle Sale for Transfer printed at the bottom of the original certificate of title, and mailing or hand-delivering it to the DMV
• Submitting the vehicle sale report online through the Alaska DMV's secure digital portal
• Contacting the DMV directly through its online messaging system

Step 3: Assemble All Required Supporting Documents

Before submitting an application, the buyer must gather all documentation identified in the Required Documents table above. The following items merit particular attention during this stage:

Odometer Disclosure: Federal regulations require that any motor vehicle with an unladen weight of 12,000 pounds or less and less than 20 years of age be accompanied by a completed odometer disclosure at the time of ownership transfer. This disclosure is ordinarily completed on the assigned title itself. If the odometer statement was not completed on the title, the buyer must submit a separate odometer disclosure form (Form V6) with the application. If no disclosure is received or the disclosure is incorrectly completed, the Alaska DMV will permanently record the odometer reading as "Unknown" on the title—a designation that cannot be corrected except in cases of department error.

Lien Release: When the existing title carries an unreleased lienholder, the buyer must provide a written letter from the lienholder expressly confirming that the lien has been fully discharged. Documents bearing a "paid" stamp alone are not acceptable. The lien release letter must be an original document; photocopies are generally not accepted. Where the lienholder holds the original title in another state, applicants should contact the DMV for specific instructions prior to submitting the application.

Bill of Sale: Although a bill of sale does not serve as proof of ownership for title transfer purposes, both parties are strongly encouraged to execute one. A properly prepared bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the vehicle year, make, and model, the purchase price, the date of transaction, and the printed names and signatures of both the buyer and the seller.

Step 4: Complete the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1)

The buyer must complete the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1) before submission. This form constitutes the primary application instrument for both title issuance and vehicle registration in Alaska, and must meet the following standards:

• All fields must be completed; no portion of the form may be left blank
• The form must be signed in ink by the vehicle owner
• The applicant's full mailing address and Alaska residence address must appear in the designated Address Information section

Where the vehicle is encumbered by an active loan, the name and complete mailing address of the lending institution or individual lienholder must be entered in the "Other Information" section of the application. Upon processing, the Alaska DMV will mail the issued title directly to the lienholder of record.

If a notarized Power of Attorney (Form 847) has been executed, it must be included with the application package. This document is mandatory whenever a third party signs the application on the owner's behalf, and is required without exception for all leased vehicle transactions.

Step 5: Submit the Application to an Alaska DMV Office

Completed applications may be submitted either in person at an Alaska DMV office or through the mail.

For applicants submitting by mail, all original documents must be included in the packet. The DMV strongly recommends that mailed submissions be sent via certified or registered mail with delivery confirmation to reduce the risk of loss. All mailed applications should be directed to the following address:

State of Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles ATTN: Correspondence 4001 Ingra Street, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99503

Step 6: Pay the Required Title and Registration Fees

All applicable fees must be paid at the time of application. The table below details the standard fees associated with a vehicle title transfer in Alaska. Applicants may calculate the total amount due prior to submission using the DMV's online fee calculator.

For in-person transactions, payment may be made by cash, personal check, or credit/debit card. For mailed applications, payment must be submitted by check or money order made payable to "State of Alaska DMV." Cash must never be remitted through the mail. Applicants uncertain of the exact fee owed may submit the application without payment; the DMV will issue an electronic invoice for the correct amount upon review of the application.

Step 7: Receive Your New Certificate of Title

Following submission of a complete application and payment of all required fees, the Alaska DMV will process the title transfer and issue a new certificate of title to the applicant. The following timelines and conditions apply:

• Applicants submitting in person may receive temporary registration documents at the time of their DMV visit while the title application is under review
• Applications submitted by mail require approximately 2 months for processing and return delivery; applicants may include a prepaid, pre-addressed certified envelope to facilitate expedited return
• When a lienholder has been recorded on the application, the issued certificate of title will be mailed directly to the lienholder rather than to the registered owner
• For leased vehicles, the title will be transmitted to the lessor of record
• License plates, registration certificates, and tabs will be mailed to the owner's address on file upon completion of processing

Contact Information

Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
4001 Ingra Street, Ste 101, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles