Arkansas: Private-Party Vehicle Title Transfer Requirements

Requirements one by one

The seller endorses and delivers the title; the buyer files within 60 days

Arkansas handles titling through the Department of Finance and Administration's
revenue offices rather than a standalone DMV. Section 27-14-902(a) requires the
owner to "endorse an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of
title" and "deliver the certificate of title to the purchaser or transferee at
the time of delivery of the vehicle." The buyer then, under § 27-14-903(b),
presents that endorsed title and applies for a new certificate.

The buyer's filing clock is 60 days. Act 41 of 2023 extended the registration
window from 30 to 60 days, and the DFA now states that a motor vehicle "must be
titled and registered within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of transfer or
within sixty (60) calendar days of the date which a prior lien has been
released." When names on the title are joined by "and," every owner must sign
the application, and a lender must release its lien under § 27-14-909 before a
clean title can issue.

No notarization — but every owner signs

Arkansas does not require a notary for a private sale. What it does require is a
complete set of signatures: the DFA warns that "failure to have all signatures
will result in rejection of the application for title and registration."

A priced bill of sale is required

Unlike some states, Arkansas expects a bill of sale at the counter — "an invoice
or bill of sale reflecting the full purchased price of the vehicle" — because the
price sets the graduated sales tax. If the Arkansas title's control number is
3003001 or greater, the bill of sale and odometer statement on the back of the
title are enough; for an older or out-of-state title, a separate bill of sale and
conforming odometer statement must come with it. Form 10-313 combines the bill of
sale and odometer disclosure.

Assessment, taxes, and insurance gate the transfer

Arkansas treats vehicles as personal property, so before registering the buyer
must show the car is assessed with the county and that personal property taxes
are current, along with proof of liability insurance. State sales tax is 6.5% at
$10,000 or more, drops to 3.5% for a used vehicle priced $4,000 to $9,999, and is
not charged at all under $4,000.

What trips people up

• The county assessment step. You cannot register until the vehicle is
  listed on your current-year county assessment and your personal property taxes
  are paid — a step newcomers routinely miss.
• Assuming the plate goes with the car. Arkansas plates belong to the owner.
  The seller removes the plate (and can move it to another vehicle); the buyer
  registers in the buyer's own name.
• Missing the 60-day window. After 60 days the DFA adds a 10% penalty on the
  sales tax due plus $3 for every 10 days late.
• Watching the $4,000 line. A used car sold just under $4,000 owes no state
  sales tax; at $4,000 the 3.5% band kicks in, so the dated, priced bill of sale
  matters.

Common questions

Do I need to get the title notarized?
No. Arkansas does not require notarization for a private vehicle sale — just the
endorsed title and all required signatures on the application.

How long do I have to register?
60 days from the date of purchase, or from the date a prior lien is released.
After that, a sales-tax penalty and a per-10-day registration penalty apply.

Is a bill of sale mandatory?
Yes. Arkansas asks for an invoice or bill of sale showing the full price, which
determines your sales-tax band. Form 10-313 pairs it with the odometer
disclosure.

Does Arkansas require an inspection or emissions test?
No periodic safety or emissions test. The only inspection is a VIN verification
for an out-of-state or salvage-branded title.

Statutes and sources

• Ark. Code § 27-14-902 — owner's endorsement and delivery of the assigned
  title and expiration of registration with plate removal on transfer.
  https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar/transforms/ar/ocar/r78/gov.ar.code.title.27.html (accessed 2026-07-23)
• Ark. Code § 27-14-903 — transferee's presentation of the endorsed title and
  the 60-day registration window (subsection (a) as amended by Act 41 of 2023).
  https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2023R%2FPublic%2F&file=41.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2023%2F2023R (accessed 2026-07-23)
• Ark. Code § 27-14-909 — lienholder's release of lien and delivery to the
  owner.
  https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar/transforms/ar/ocar/r78/gov.ar.code.title.27.html (accessed 2026-07-23)
• Ark. Code § 27-14-911 — seller not liable for negligent operation after a
  bona fide sale, delivery of possession, and the endorsed title or § 27-14-916
  notice.
  https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar/transforms/ar/ocar/r78/gov.ar.code.title.27.html (accessed 2026-07-23)
• Ark. Code § 27-14-901 — Class C misdemeanor for failing to endorse and
  deliver a certificate of title.
  https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar/transforms/ar/ocar/r78/gov.ar.code.title.27.html (accessed 2026-07-23)
• Arkansas DFA — Vehicle Tag Renewal — 60-day title/registration deadline,
  required documents, odometer rule, and signature-rejection warning.
  https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/vehicle-tag-renewal/ (accessed 2026-07-23)
• Arkansas DFA — DSMV FAQs — graduated sales-tax bands and the late-
  registration penalty.
  https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/faqs-for-dsmv/ (accessed 2026-07-23)