Overview
What you can't skip is that untitled, unregistered driving is its own risk (a citation, not a title fine), and if your registration lapses while you're sorting out the paperwork, the DMV recalculates your registration and MVRT from the original expiration date rather than the transfer date. Below, the exact cost for common title scenarios.
01 - Official fees
Alaska title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title issuance (new or transfer) | $15 | |
| Duplicate title | $15 | |
| Lien recording | $15 | |
| Duplicate plate or tab | $5 | |
| Duplicate paper registration | $2 | |
| Specialty plate transfer | $5 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Alaska
- 1
Get the seller's signed-over title (or dealer paperwork for a new purchase).
- 2
Complete Form 812, Application for Title.
- 3
Submit it to any Alaska DMV office, by mail, or through the online portal within 30 days of the sale.
- 4
Pay the $15 title fee, plus $15 more if a lender needs a lien recorded.
- 5
If registration is also due or has lapsed, pay that and any MVRT owed in the same transaction.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Alaska vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Alaska title transfer FAQ
How much does a title transfer cost in Alaska?
$15 flat for the title itself. Add $15 if a lender is financing the vehicle and needs their lien recorded. There's no sliding scale by county or vehicle value the way some states run it - one price statewide.
What's the deadline to title a vehicle after buying it?
30 days from the date of sale, per Alaska law. Dealers get the same 30-day window to process new-purchase titles and can issue a temporary permit while paperwork is pending.
What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline?
Alaska's DMV title pages don't publish a specific late-transfer dollar penalty the way many states do - we couldn't verify one. What's certain is that driving without valid registration risks a citation, and if your registration expires in the meantime, the DMV recalculates your fees and MVRT from the original expiration date rather than giving you a grace period.
Do I need a new title if I'm just renewing registration, not selling?
No. Titles and registration are separate in Alaska - your title stays valid indefinitely as long as you own the vehicle. Only a sale, gift, inheritance, or lien change requires new title paperwork.
How do I get a duplicate title if mine is lost?
Same $15 fee and same Form 812, checked as a duplicate request instead of a transfer. You'll need your VIN and current registration info on hand.
Does transferring a title trigger a new MVRT charge?
Not by itself. The DMV's own chart notes that MVRT is collected only at original issuance or renewal of registration - a mid-cycle ownership change (sale or gift) doesn't reset that clock unless the registration has already expired for some other reason.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.