How to Gift a Car in Alaska in 2026

Gifting a motor vehicle in Alaska requires transferring the vehicle title in accordance with state law. When ownership is transferred without monetary exchange, the transaction follows the same titling and registration procedures required for any change in vehicle ownership. The donor assigns the title to the recipient, who then applies for a new title and registration in their name through the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

How Does Gifting a Car in Alaska Work?

Alaska statutes establish specific requirements for title transfers. Under Alaska Statute 28.10.271, the owner of a vehicle who transfers ownership must comply with established notification and title assignment procedures. A gift transfer is a change in ownership that must be documented and reported to the state, just as a sale would. However, unlike sales, a gift reflects no monetary consideration and thus may affect how certain taxes and fees are calculated or reported.

The recipient must apply for registration within 30 days of acquiring the vehicle if it will be operated on public roads in Alaska. This process generally takes place at a local DMV office or through the mail to the DMV headquarters in Anchorage.

Alaska Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

Title requirements in Alaska depend on the vehicle's characteristics. Most motor vehicles registered in Alaska require a certificate of title before registration can be issued. A certificate of title establishes ownership and must be transferred when ownership changes. The title document itself includes spaces for the seller to assign the vehicle to the buyer and for both parties to certify the odometer reading.

The current owner's name on the title must match exactly the name on the supporting documents. If the name on the title does not match the name on any supporting documents, processing delays may occur. Special attention should be paid to spelling, middle initials, and any suffixes or prefixes used on the title document.

Co-Owner Signatures

The method by which co-owners are listed on the title determines signature requirements for a gift transfer. When co-owners are joined by the conjunction "OR," only one owner is required to sign and release the title. When co-owners are joined by "AND" or appear with no conjunction between their names, both owners must sign to release the title. This distinction is critical to successful title processing, as titles with unsigned owners will be rejected by the DMV.

Odometer Disclosure

Federal law requires that an odometer disclosure statement be completed when a motor vehicle is transferred, unless the vehicle is exempt. Odometer disclosure is required for all motor vehicles under 12,000 pounds in unladen weight and vehicles less than 20 years old.

The donor and recipient must each certify the current odometer reading on the title or on a separate Odometer Disclosure form. The odometer reading must be accurate and cannot be changed after submission. If the odometer reading is not properly disclosed and certified by both parties, the title cannot be transferred. When space is not provided on the title itself, a separate disclosure form may be submitted with the other transfer documents.

License Plates

When ownership of a vehicle transfers in Alaska, existing license plates are handled according to their type. Standard-issue plates cannot be transferred to another vehicle. If the donor has personalized or specialty plates on the gifted vehicle, the plates must be removed before the transfer is completed. The recipient will receive new standard plates at no additional charge when the title and registration are processed.

If the donor wishes to transfer a personalized or specialty plate to another vehicle already owned, a separate plate transfer may be possible under certain conditions. This requires completing the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1) and, if applicable, paying a $5 fee, with a statement noting the plate transfer request.

Taxes and Fees

Alaska title fees for motor vehicles are fixed at $15. If the recipient establishes a lien or a lienholder is involved, an additional $15 lien recording fee applies. A title fee of $100 applies only to manufactured homes; it covers titling transfers, not registrations.

Upon registration, the recipient becomes responsible for vehicle registration fees, which vary by vehicle type and weight. The Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles publishes a Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT) fee table that shows registration fees by location and vehicle class. MVRT is collected only in municipalities and boroughs that have elected to impose it. Tax rates vary based on location and vehicle model year.

A gift transfer itself is not treated as a sale for purposes of determining taxable consideration, so the absence of a sale price should be clearly documented on the bill of sale or transfer documents. If the recipient registers the vehicle for road use, standard registration fees apply regardless of whether the vehicle was acquired through a gift or purchase.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Alaska

Step 1: Complete the Title Assignment

The donor must sign the "Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner" section on the back of the title, paying careful attention to the locations indicated on the form for the printed name and signature. The donor should sign exactly as the name appears on the face of the title. The recipient's name should be entered consistently with all transfer documents provided.

Step 2: Certify the Odometer Reading

For vehicles subject to odometer disclosure requirements, the donor must certify the current odometer reading. The recipient must acknowledge this reading. Both parties must sign the odometer disclosure section on the title or complete and sign a separate Odometer Disclosure form.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

The donor should complete a bill of sale or transfer document reflecting that the vehicle was transferred as a gift. This document should include the vehicle's year, make, model, serial number, and the date of transfer. Both donor and recipient should sign the bill of sale. This document protects the donor from future liability related to the vehicle and provides documentation of the gift transfer.

Step 4: Notify the DMV of the Pending Transfer

The donor must notify the Alaska DMV that the title transfer is pending. This can be accomplished by completing the Notice of Vehicle Sale for Transfer form or by notifying the department online through the DMV's vehicle transfer portal. The donor may also send a written notice to the DMV address provided below. Notification should be made as soon as the transfer is complete so the DMV does not renew the registration to the original owner.

Step 5: Submit the Application and Documents to the DMV

The recipient should gather all required documents and submit them to the Alaska DMV. This can be done in person at a local DMV office or by mail to the DMV headquarters in Anchorage. The recipient must include the completed Vehicle Transaction Application Form V1, the assigned title, the bill of sale, the odometer disclosure documentation, and payment for all applicable fees.

Step 6: Obtain Liability Insurance and Complete Registration

Before the recipient can receive a new title and registration certificate, the recipient must provide proof of Alaska liability insurance to the DMV. Alaska law requires minimum liability coverage of $50,000 for bodily injury or death of any one person, $100,000 for bodily injury or death for any accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

The recipient must register the vehicle within 30 days of acquiring it. If registration is not completed within this deadline, the vehicle cannot legally be driven on public roads in Alaska. Registration is typically valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Alaska

The following documents are required to complete a gift transfer of a motor vehicle in Alaska:

• The current certificate of title with the assignment section properly completed and signed by the donor
• A completed bill of sale or transfer document showing the vehicle was gifted, signed by both donor and recipient
• The completed Vehicle Transaction Application Form V1, signed by the recipient
• A completed Odometer Disclosure form or odometer disclosure certification on the title, signed by both parties (for vehicles under 12,000 pounds and less than 20 years old)
• Proof of valid Alaska liability insurance in the recipient's name
• Payment for the $15 title fee and any applicable registration fees
• The recipient's driver's license or other state-issued identification

If the vehicle being transferred is a manufactured home, the procedures and fee structure differ significantly. A separate Application for Manufactured Home Title is required, and the title fee for a manufactured home is $100 instead of $15.

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Alaska

The $15 title fee is charged for the issuance of a new title in the recipient's name. A lien recording fee of $15 applies only if a lienholder's interest will be recorded on the title.

Registration fees vary based on the vehicle's type, weight, and model year. The recipient should use the Alaska DMV registration cost calculator to determine the exact registration fee for the specific vehicle being registered. This calculator takes into account the vehicle type, location where the vehicle will be registered, and whether the vehicle qualifies for any special registration categories.

A Motor Vehicle Registration Tax may apply depending on the municipality or borough where the vehicle is registered. Not all areas of Alaska impose this tax. The tax rate varies by location. The recipient's registration is valid for two years from the date of issuance.

A gift transfer itself does not incur additional tax based on the sale price, as no monetary consideration is exchanged. However, all standard registration and titling fees, as well as any applicable MVRT, must be paid when the recipient registers the vehicle for road use.

Contact Information

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