How Do I Register a Car Bought in Arizona With a California Title Through a Private Seller?

Buying a car in another state from a private seller and registering it is simple. Follow the same process as if you were moving to Arizona, and registering your vehicle in your new resident state. There are several processes involved which may take a few weeks to complete, but acquiring an Arizona title for your new vehicle is feasible and completed at your local Arizona state DMV.

Instructions

1. Insure the car you bought in California. Wait for your new insurance verification cards to arrive, or follow the insurance provider's instructions to obtain the insurance verification cards.

2. Submit your vehicle to an emissions inspection. Most vehicles manufactured after 2006 are exempt from emissions testing. Keep the passing test results to show at the DVM. Make the necessary car repairs, if the car does not pass the emissions test and re-test the vehicle.

3. Go to the Arizona DMV nearest to your location, once you have the passing results from the vehicle emissions test. As a new out-of-state registration you should make these changes in person, as new license plates will be assigned to you. Take your proof of insurance, your driver’s license, any other form of signed ID like a Social Security card, the car title, and the passing emissions test results.

4. Pay the title registration fees and the Vehicle License Tax and expect to have new Arizona license plates assigned to you. Arizona law requires that you be responsible for license plates, remove, and return them when selling a vehicle. The new Arizona title will be mailed to you.

References

• Arizona Department of Transportation: Vehicle Registration Information
• Arizona Department of Transportation: New Resident Information

Resources

• Service Arizona: Vehicle Registration Renewal