Abandoned Vehicles

Arizona accepts a sold notice or bill of sale as a form of proof of ownership when a vehicle is abandoned. When a vehicle is lost, stolen, unclaimed, or removed from a public highway or property, it is considered abandoned.

As a courtesy, Arizona provides a form that can be completed and submitted to avoid being fined an abandoned vehicle fee. The registered owner is charged a $500 fee for vehicles abandoned on private property and a $600 fee for vehicles left on federal and state properties.

Individuals do not have to use the provided bill of sale form. Instead, individuals can submit personalized documents.

Benefits of Creating a Bill of Sale

Though a bill of sale is not a legal requirement in Arizona, it is a good idea for an individual to create and keep one. Typically, a bill of sale includes pertinent information, such as the name, address, and phone number of the buyer and seller, when and where the purchase occurred, and the amount that was paid for the vehicle. In the case of a seller, maintaining this type of document protects the individual if the vehicle gets junked, is not promptly registered and titled, or it is discovered that it has outstanding parking violations. It also protects the buyer if it is later discovered that the vehicle was stolen or had recently been in an accident.

Though Arizona offers a downloadable bill of sale form, this version only requires the seller’s signature. Creating a customized form that includes both the signatures of the buyer and seller adds validity to the document, showing both parties willingly entered into such an agreement.

Details to Include in a Customized Bill of Sale

Buyers and sellers who opt to create their own bills of sale should include this information:

• The names, addresses, phone numbers, and signatures of both the buyer and seller
• The vehicle selling price and the date the final payment was made
• A description of the vehicle, including the make, model, year, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• The date and location of the vehicle sale
• An odometer reading

Both the buyer and seller should each have a copy as a receipt of the ownership transfer. Though the document does not need to be notarized, doing so gives it credibility.

Language Requirements

In addition to offering driver service forms in English and Spanish, the Arizona MVD accepts bills of sale in both languages.

Required Steps After Purchase

A sold notice must be submitted to ServiceArizona, a service provider that partners with the state, within 10 days of transferring, selling, or ending a lease agreement for a vehicle. The sold notice protects the individual from liability for accidents, tickets, and other violations. The seller must fill out the back of the Certificate of Title and give it to the buyer for the vehicle’s ownership to be transferred.

Then an individual must get the vehicle inspected and obtain an emissions compliance form to operate a vehicle legally in Arizona. After all appropriate documents are obtained, the vehicle must be registered with Arizona’s Motor Vehicle Division.

After a vehicle is transferred or sold, the registration is no longer valid. To transfer the title and register the vehicle, a buyer must visit an Arizona MVD location or an authorized third party. The buyer must be able to drive the vehicle to finish this transaction. Buyers that purchased vehicles in private sales must get a Restricted Use Three-Day Permit. Those who bought vehicles from licensed dealers must get temporary registration plates.

Titling and Registering Out-of-State Vehicles

Vehicles that were previously titled and registered in another state must be surrendered when individuals apply for titles and registrations in Arizona. If an out-of-state lienholder holds the title of the vehicle and the lender does not contract with an electronic lien and title service provider in Arizona, the new resident receives only an Arizona registration. A title is issued when the lien is paid off.

An out-of-state vehicle may not need to be inspected in Arizona if the owner provides a valid title or registration.

A bill of sale is between a buyer and seller for the purchase of a vehicle or personal property in exchange for cash or trade. The form should only be signed after the transaction has been finalized. The buyer is required to keep an original copy for registration purposes.