Overview
That 60-day window is longer than the 30-day deadlines common in neighboring states, which gives you some breathing room to gather paperwork - but it also means a genuinely large penalty can build quietly if you assume Arkansas works like everywhere else. Use the calculator below if your transfer is already overdue.
01 - Official fees
Arkansas title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $10.00 | |
| Filing deadline | 60 calendar days | from date of sale/transfer |
| Late tax penalty | 10% flat | applied to the full tax bill once any day past 60 has elapsed |
| Sales tax owed (used-vehicle bands or 6.5%) | varies by price | see the Arkansas sales tax calculator |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local Arkansas DFA Revenue Office - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Arkansas
- 1
Get the seller's signature on the assignment section of the title, matching names to ID exactly.
- 2
Collect a bill of sale showing the price - it's what the Revenue Office uses to run the used-vehicle price bands.
- 3
Bring the title, bill of sale, proof of insurance, and ID to any DFA Revenue Office within 60 days of the sale.
- 4
Pay the $10 title fee along with sales tax and registration in the same transaction.
- 5
If you're already past 60 days, expect the 10% penalty added automatically before the office will issue anything.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Arkansas vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Arkansas title transfer FAQ
How much does a title transfer cost in Arkansas?
The title application fee itself is a flat $10. Budget for the full picture, though - sales tax under the used-vehicle price bands (or 6.5% for a new vehicle) and weight-based registration are collected in the same visit.
What exactly happens if I'm 90 days late transferring a title?
A single flat 10% penalty applies to your total sales tax bill - Arkansas doesn't add more for being further past the deadline. On a $650 tax bill (a $10,000 car at 6.5%), that's an extra $65 whether you're 61 days late or 300 days late.
Can I transfer an Arkansas title online?
No - a new-owner title transfer requires an in-person visit to a DFA Revenue Office with the physical title and bill of sale. Renewing an existing registration you already hold is what myDMV handles online.
Do I need a notarized bill of sale?
Arkansas doesn't require notarization for an ordinary sale - a signed bill of sale with the price, VIN, date, and both parties' names is standard. Gift transfers and some out-of-state titles may call for additional affidavits.
What if the seller never signed the title over properly?
The Revenue Office will reject the paperwork, and you'll need the seller to correct it - a defective assignment is one of the most common reasons a transfer misses the 60-day window through no fault of the buyer. Track the seller down before the clock runs out.
Is there a separate penalty for late registration versus late title transfer?
They're handled together in Arkansas - the same 60-day window and 10% tax penalty cover both the title and the tax payment, since the Revenue Office processes them as one transaction. There isn't a second, independent title-specific fine layered on top.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.