Arizona Motor Vehicle Title Bond

How do I obtain a bonded title?

We recommend contacting the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division to ensure you meet all requirements before purchasing a bond with Self Service Surety. It is your responsibility to follow Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division directions prior to purchasing a bond. For convenience we have summarized some critical steps here:

1. Collect all documentation required by the ADOT MVD: Vehicle Inspection Report: be sure to alert the inspector that you are applying for a Bonded Title, Emissions Test (for residents or commuters to the Phoenix or Tucson metropolitan areas), Bond Affidavit: either notarized or signed in presence of MVD agent, Title and Lien Searches: depending on results of the search, you may need to provide lien releases, send certified letters to records returned in the search, and provide responses and receipts to certified letters.
2. Visit a Motor Vehicle Division location with all documentation. If documents are approved, the Motor Vehicle Dealer will set the bond amount (typically 1.5 times the vehicle’s fair market value).
3. Return to selfservicesurety.com, click the “ORDER BOND” button, and complete your purchase online. We will mail you the bond.
4. Bring the bond and all previously collected documents to the MVD office. If your vehicle inspection indicates that a new Arizona Serial Number must be issued, bring the vehicle.

Obtaining a bonded title can be an involved and complicated process. Refer to the Bonded Title Requirements Packet and consult MVD agents to make sure you meet all requirements.

Who needs an Arizona title bond?

If you purchase or otherwise receive a motor vehicle with a lost or improperly assigned title, a title bond is required to establish your ownership of the car and to register your vehicle.

Why are title bonds required?

A title bond ensures that compensation is available to individuals who subsequently come forward as rightful owner of the vehicle. A rightful owner that comes forward prior to the bond’s expiration may be entitled to compensation up to the full penalty amount of the bond. After the bond’s expiration, the title is considered clean and no further claims can be made. Arizona Bonded Titles expire after 3 years, at which point you can apply for the “bonded” brand to be removed.