If you have purchased a car from Arizona, state law requires that you apply for a title (new car) or a transfer of title (used car) and registration within 15 days of purchase. This can be done simultaneously. Take the application to any of the MVD state offices or any of the 160 privately owned Authorized Third Party office.

Here are the requirements:

• Completed and signed Title and Registration Application
• Signed and notarized vehicle title
• Lien release (if applicable)
• Proof of insurance
• Emissions testing results (check here if required)
• Any other documents that apply (original or certified copy of power of attorney, personal representative papers, etc.)
• Written permission from the lienholder/lender if there is a lien on the used vehicle that has not been paid off
• Photo identification ( for example, driver’s license, ID card, etc). Check out the list of acceptable documents.
• All applicable title and registration fees

For more details, visit the Arizona MVD page for items needed for title and registration.

Vehicle registration is required once vehicle owner acquires the official resident status due to any of the following:

• employment in Arizona (except seasonal agricultural work)
• voter registration in Arizona
• enrollment of children in school (not paying non-resident tuition rate)
• operation of business and use of vehicles in Arizona
• operation of business to transport goods or passengers within Arizona
• residence in Arizona for a total of seven months or more during any calendar year (regardless of your permanent residence)

If you have purchased a car in the state, follow the requirements stated in the section above. For a vehicle that was brought or purchased from outside Arizona, submit the requirements in the next section.

Here are the requirements to submit at the MVD or Authorized Third Party office.

• Completed and signed Title and Registration Application
• Emission compliance form (Phoenix and Tucson areas only)
• Level I vehicle inspection, if out-of-state title and/or registration is missing
• Out-of-state title or registration documents (if title is held by lienholder)
• Out-of-state license plates
• Lien clearance (if applicable)
• Power of Attorney from the lessor (original or certified copy) for a leased vehicle
• Payment of all applicable title and registration fees

Before importing a vehicle into Arizona, make sure to check first if your vehicle can indeed be registered in the state.

• License plate assigned to the vehicle
• Registration card
• Certificate of ownership or other evidence of foreign registration
• Satisfactory evidence of ownership showing that the applicant is the lawful owner or possessor of the vehicle.
• Certificate of compliance to all federal vehicle equipment and emissions equipment requirements
• Examination and inspection to establish compliance with environmental quality

For more details, inquire at any Arizona MVD or Authorized Third Party office.

Here are the requirements for registering a vehicle previously reported as a total loss (salvaged):

• Completed Title and Registration Application
• Level III inspection results with these documentary requirements:
  • Proof of ownership (usually a title)
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Receipts or invoices for all component parts that have been repaired or replaced.
• Emissions compliance certificate (if applicable)
• Salvage title
• Applicable fees

For more information, check out the ADOT MVD’s FAQs on Vehicle Inspection and Salvage Vehicles.

You must notify the Arizona MVD within 10 days of changing your address. No fees are required for address change. Provide your name, date of birth, and driver license or identification card number. You may change your address online or contact the MVD:

• By email
• By phone:

602.255.0072 (Phoenix)
602.712.3222 (Hearing/Speech Impaired TDD Phoenix)
520.629.9808 (Tucson)
800.324.5425 (Hearing/Speech Impaired TDD Elsewhere)
Elsewhere in Arizona: 800.251.5866

Office hours:

Monday to Friday (except on state holidays)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Customers on hold by 4:30 p.m. will be served)

• By mail:

Arizona Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Division
4005 N. 51st Avenue
MD 555M
Phoenix, AZ 85031

If you are a resident of Arizona on active military duty and stationed out of state, you may renew your vehicle registration through the following:

• Online
• Mail (pay by check or money order only)

Arizona Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Division
PO Box 29035
Phoenix, AZ 85038

Apply for any of these exemptions if applicable by mail or in person at the MVD or Authorized Third Party office:

• Out-of-state emissions exemption if you own a vehicle that is located out of state at the time of registration renewal and is required to be emissions tested from the AZ Department of Environmental Quality.
• Registration Penalty Fee Waiver, Non-Use if your vehicle registration expires and the vehicle is not being driven or is in storage
• De-Insured Certificate (online submission) if you wish to maintain the current registration on a temporarily unused vehicle that you own or lease

Renew your registration every year. Check your renewal notice or current registration to see whether your due date is on the 15th or the last day of the month. The MVD sends a registration renewal reminders via mail or email one month prior to expiration. Renew your registration by the due date whether or not you receive this courtesy notice. The renewal notice is not required to renew; just use your current (or expired) registration document.

Here are your options for renewal:

• Renew online
• By phone using the MVD automated phone system at 888.713.3031
• Early renewal (based on an emissions test requirement):
  • Up to six (6) months before the expiration (if an emissions test is not required)
  • Up to three (3) months before the expiration if an emissions test is required (renew your registration by showing your current registration at the test station)
• In person at the Arizona MVD or Authorized Third Party office

• Registration
  • Registration fee: $4.50, $8.00 or $9.00 depending on the type of vehicle
  • Air quality fee: $1.50
  • Air quality compliance fee: 0.25 (depending on the location the vehicle is being operated in)
  • Vehicle license tax (VLT) based on assessed value 60% of the manufacturer’s base retail price reduced by 16.25% for each year since the vehicle was first registered in Arizona (15% before 8/1/98)
    • As of December 1, 2000 reduction for each $100 of the assessed value: $2.80 for new vehicles or $2.89 for used vehicles
• 90-day Registration: $15
• 30-day Permit: $15
• Five-Year Registration: only a one-year registration fee for the entire period (vehicle license tax and other applicable fees are calculated and paid for five years at the time of registration)
• Late registration

• • Initial fee: $8
  • Plus an additional $4 for each month past due