Short answer. Alaska DMV's seller steps: sign where indicated on the title, complete the Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner, and send in the Notice of Vehicle Sale; no notary step. The buyer has 30 days to title the car. Plates: depends on the plate.
At a glance
- Seller's signature
- Alaska DMV's seller steps: sign where indicated on the title, complete the Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner, and send in the Notice of Vehicle Sale; no notary step.
- Bill of sale
- A bill of sale doesn't move ownership; the signed title does.
- Odometer
- The seller certifies the odometer reading on a vehicle less than ten years old.
- Buyer's deadline
- The buyer transfers the vehicle into their name within 30 days of the sale.
- Plates
- Personalized or specialty plates come off at the sale. The page doesn't say what happens to standard plates.
- Title fee
- $15 title fee, plus $15 to record a lien.
- Seller's report
- The seller sends the DMV a report of the sale as soon as possible; no day count is given.
- Agency
- Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
If you're selling
- Find the title and clear any lien. Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien.
- Sign the title over. Alaska DMV's seller steps: sign where indicated on the title, complete the Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner, and send in the Notice of Vehicle Sale; no notary step. Don't sign until the buyer is ready, and write in the buyer's name and the sale date exactly.
- Write down the mileage. The seller certifies the odometer reading on a vehicle less than ten years old.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale. A bill of sale doesn't move ownership; the signed title does.
- Deal with the plates. Personalized or specialty plates come off at the sale. The page doesn't say what happens to standard plates.
- Report the sale. The seller sends the DMV a report of the sale as soon as possible; no day count is given.
- Cancel insurance and keep copies. Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report.
If you're buying
- Check the title against the car and the seller. The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it.
- Watch the title get signed. Seller: Alaska DMV's seller steps: sign where indicated on the title, complete the Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner, and send in the Notice of Vehicle Sale; no notary step. Buyer: the pages we read don't say whether your signature needs a notary.
- Get a bill of sale. A bill of sale doesn't move ownership; the signed title does.
- Check the mileage entry. The seller certifies the odometer reading on a vehicle less than ten years old.
- Insure the car before you drive it. Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away.
- Title it in your name in time. The buyer transfers the vehicle into their name within 30 days of the sale.
- Plates and fees. Personalized or specialty plates come off at the sale. The page doesn't say what happens to standard plates. Title fee: $15 title fee, plus $15 to record a lien.
Sold on the first of a month? See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale.
Your own checklist, marked step by step: seller · buyer.
In the agency's words
Seller
"the seller(s) must sign where indicated on the title and complete the assignment to the new owner"
Bill of sale
"A Bill of Sale is not valid for ownership transfer."
Deadline
"you are required to transfer the vehicle into your name within 30 days of the date of sale by obtaining an Alaska title."
Plates
"If your vehicle has personalized/specialty plates, remove the plates upon sale."
Report of sale
"Send or deliver this to DMV as soon as possible."
Not stated on the pages we read: the buyer's notary rule.
Official sources
- Selling a Vehicle in Alaska (checked November 2026)
- Alaska DMV: Titles (checked November 2026)
- Alaska DMV: New Vehicle (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency.
Common questions
Does the seller's signature on a Alaska title need a notary?
Alaska DMV's seller steps: sign where indicated on the title, complete the Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner, and send in the Notice of Vehicle Sale; no notary step. The agency's page: "the seller(s) must sign where indicated on the title and complete the assignment to the new owner."
How long does a buyer have to title a car in Alaska?
30 days. The buyer transfers the vehicle into their name within 30 days of the sale.
Is a bill of sale required in Alaska?
A bill of sale doesn't move ownership; the signed title does.
Do the plates go with the car in Alaska?
Personalized or specialty plates come off at the sale. The page doesn't say what happens to standard plates.
Does a Alaska seller have to report the sale?
The seller sends the DMV a report of the sale as soon as possible; no day count is given.
What is the title fee in Alaska?
$15 title fee, plus $15 to record a lien.
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