Fees | Transfer by Owner | Transfer by Dealer | Lost Title | Procedures | Historic Value Title

The status of a vehicle changes from "new" to "used" as soon as it is sold by a dealer to someone other than another dealer. A used vehicle is normally one that has been previously titled and/or registered. There may be untitled or unregistered used vehicles in areas of the State where title and/or registration is not required. (R-2) When a customer states that they have a "Paperless Title" in another state and wish to obtain title and registration in Alaska, they must obtain a paper title from the other state before Alaska can issue a title or registration. If there is a lienholder, we can issue a "Registration only" until the lien has been satisfied.

Dealer Sale: A dealer is not required to obtain title in their name. [AS 28.10.281] They are required to reassign the title, in the dealer re-assignment on the back of the title, when the vehicle is sold and to submit the title and the buyer’s application to DMV within 30 days. [AS 28.10.291] If the vehicle is being taken out of state or to an area where title and registration is not required, the dealer is not required by statute to submit these documents to DMV. See T-80 for procedures when the vehicle has been reassigned to a dealer and the re-assignment portion of the title is full.

Sale to Individual or Company: Per state law, an individual or company that purchases a vehicle may not sell the vehicle to another party until they have been issued a title in their name. State law requires that the buyer obtain title and registration within 30 days of the transfer.

Federal law requires that a buyer must have the seller’s title properly released and the odometer reading completed when applying for title. This law prohibits states from licensing a vehicle unless the original title is submitted with the application. This requirement went into effective on April 29, 1989 and applies only to voluntary transfers and not to involuntary transfers such as court orders, repossessions, or lien sales. [AS 28.10.311] It is not permissible to use a lost title affidavit or chains of bills of sale to transfer title.

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TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

BY VEHICLE OWNER [AS 28.10.271(b)]

1. Signature of the owner(s) shown on the face of the title.

• OR Conjunction – One owner must sign to release.
• AND Conjunction – ALL owners must sign to release.

2. Complete the reassignment to the buyer or transferee.
3. Complete the odometer disclosure or submit a separate odometer statement. (T-25)
4. Buyer must provide the current odometer reading on the Application for Title and Registration. (Form 812)

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BY LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER

1. Complete the reassignment section of the title, in full.
2. Complete the odometer disclosure or submit a separate odometer statement, when applicable. (T-25)
3. Sign the back of the title in the reassignment section.
4. Odometer reading required on the Application for Title and Registration. (Form 812)

If a title has been lost, regardless of whether the buyer or the seller lost it, the owner shown on DMV records must apply for a duplicate title (T-060). When the vehicle has been re-sold to a third party and the title has been lost, provide the customer with a surety bond packet. If the title was issued in another state, the owner must contact that state to obtain a duplicate. See R-3 regarding confidentiality of motor vehicle records.

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To transfer a title the applicant must provide the following documents. [AS 28.10.321] If the title is being transferred four (4) months or less before the registration expires, the customer will not receive a pre-bill. Be sure to advise the customer and provide the renewal options available to them.

1. Application for Title and Registration (Form 812). Odometer reading may be required. (T-25)
2. Original title, properly released with the assignment completed. An official state form that permits transfer from dealer to dealer or from a dealer to a private individual is acceptable as long as the original title is surrendered.* Assignment must have the odometer reading or a separate odometer disclosure from the seller.
3. Registration, if available.
4. Any other documents required for registration such as proof of payment of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, if applicable at the time of transfer.
5. When the residence address of the buyer is within the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) or Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) and meets the criteria for model year and vehicle class, an I/M certificate or other proof of compliance with the emissions program may be required prior to title transfer, even when the vehicle is currently registered. (See R-430)
6. Lien release, if applicable. When there is a lien on the previous Alaska title, a lien release is required to remove the lien. When there is a lien on an out-of-state title and the lien has not been satisfied, the vehicle owner may either obtain a conditional lien release contingent on issuance of an Alaska title with the same lien, or they may obtain a registration only (T-50).

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* When a customer requests that they be able to retain the original title due to historic value:

• Historic Vehicles - At least 30 years old. - Acceptable
• Vehicles less than 30 years old - Use your judgment depending on the circumstances.

1. Process the transaction following all normal procedures.
2. Make a copy, front and back, of the original title.
3. Write/stamp “VOID” on the original title, being careful not to write over important information.
4. Indicate on the copy that the original was retained by the customer and that you made the copy from the original document. Place the copy of the title in your batch work.
5. Return the original title to the customer.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN A TITLE BE RETAINED BY THE CUSTOMER
WITHOUT INDICATING ON THE ORIGINAL THAT IT IS NO LONGER A NEGOTIABLE DOCUMENT.

Cross Reference:

HISTORY:

8/31/03 - Added reference to T-80 in regards to the reassignment portion of the title being full. Title and lien fees increased from $5.00 each to $15.00 each.

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