Alaska — Interstate License & Title Services

Alaska at a Glance

Core deadlines, agencies and transaction rules.

30 daysPurchaser title-application deadline

10 daysNew-resident registration deadline

60 daysNonresident vehicle-registration grace

No ELTPrimary lienholder receives the title

Primary agency

Alaska Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles. Headquarters: 4001 Ingra Street, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99503; 907-269-5551.

State tax structure

Alaska has no statewide sales or use tax. Local municipalities may impose sales/use tax, and participating municipalities or boroughs collect MVRT through DMV.

Registration cycle

Most vehicles use a biennial, monthly staggered cycle. Commercial vehicles may register annually. Boats use three years; OHVs use two-, four- or six-year seasons.

Title & Proof of Ownership

What must be titled, accepted ownership documents, applications and title-only transactions.

Generally titled

Most motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, mopeds 50cc and over, non-USCG boats over 24 feet, and APVs intended for approved public-road use. Manufactured homes may be titled.

Optional / exempt

Undocumented boats 24 feet or less may be titled optionally. ATVs not used as APVs, snowmachines, USCG-documented vessels, registration-exempt vehicles and certain special mobile equipment are generally exempt.

Applications and fees

Vehicle Transaction Application V1: $15 title plus $15 lien if applicable. Manufactured Home Application 870: $100 plus $15 lien. Boat title: $20.

Proof of ownership

New vehicles use MCO/MSO; used vehicles use title; non-title jurisdictions use registration and bill of sale. Government surplus may use SF97-1 or DRMS Form 1427.

Foreign vehicles

Foreign ownership documents, customs clearance, CBP 7501, EPA/DOT compliance evidence and English translations are generally required. Military vehicles may require DD Form 430.

Title only

Available for vehicles located in Alaska, not used on highways and parked on private property. Affidavit of non-highway use is required and prior plates must be surrendered.

Electronic signatures, name variations and surrendered ownership documents

The Alaska reference reports electronic signatures are not accepted for these title documents. A notarized identity-verification letter may be needed for name variations. Alaska requires surrender of ownership evidence and uses NMVTIS during title transactions.

Bonded title / inadequate proof of ownership

A non-cancelable surety or cash bond equal to 1½ times the Alaska-appraised value is generally required for three years. Vehicle Appraisal Form 825, packet 824 and Verification of Vehicle 811 are used. The vehicle must be physically located and appraised in Alaska.

Stolen, Salvage, Reconstructed, Junk & Abandoned Units

Brands, inspections, insurer duties and involuntary ownership procedures.

Title brands

Brands appear in Remarks/Legends. Alaska commonly uses REC for reconstructed salvage, KIT for kit vehicles and Duplicate. Similar out-of-state salvage/reconstructed brands carry forward.

Salvage

A vehicle is treated as a total loss when repair cost exceeds current value. Insurers acquiring a total-loss unit surrender title. An owner-retained unit cannot be registered until reconstruction is complete.

Reconstructed / homebuilt

Verification of Vehicle 811, Reconstructed Vehicle Affidavit 829 or Homebuilt Trailer Affidavit 819, source titles, major-parts receipts, lien releases and title application are generally required.

Junk

Unrepairable units may require title marked “junk,” surrendered registration and Notice of Intent to Dismantle or Junk Vehicle 849. Boat destruction is reported within 30 days; snowmachine destruction within 15 days.

Abandoned vehicles

Property-owner claims and lien sales require notice, proof of mailing, Claim of Ownership/Involuntary Lien 826, V1 and Verification of Vehicle 811. Auction documents may support title issuance.

Odometer / VIN

Odometer disclosure is generally required unless exempt. VIN verification applies to reconstructed, homebuilt, foreign, bonded, impound, abandoned and certain no-title transactions.

Lien Law, Title Holding & UCC

Perfection, priority, releases, possessory liens and secondary filings.

Recording and perfection

Lienholder information is entered on V1. The fee is $15 plus title fee. Filing within 10 days generally preserves perfection from creation; later filing perfects upon receipt.

Title holding

Only the primary lienholder is shown on a standard vehicle title, and the title is mailed to that lienholder. Manufactured-home titles may show all lienholders in priority order. Alaska has no ELT program.

Release

A satisfied lien must be released immediately on title or by a notarized lienholder letter. The owner generally applies for clear title within 10 days unless transferring the vehicle within 30 days.

Mechanic / tow / storage lien

Possessory lien-sale timelines differ by lien type. Purchasers generally submit 826, V1, 811 and title fee; a storage agreement is also required for storage liens.

UCC Central

Secondary liens and certain interests in non-titled vehicles, manufactured homes and boats may require Alaska DNR UCC Central filing at 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 108A, Anchorage, AK 99501-3564; 907-269-8873.

Responsibility

Dealers file liens for dealer sales. Owners file liens in casual sales. A lienholder assigning its interest must notify the owner and submit the assigned title with title and lien fees.

Transfer of Title & Repossession

Assignments, joint ownership, deceased owners, POA and secured-party transfers.

Seller and buyer deadlines

The seller reports sale or transfer within 10 days. The purchaser and dealer generally apply for title within 30 days. All unreleased liens require release.

Joint ownership

“Or” generally permits one signature. “And,” another conjunction or no conjunction generally requires all owners to release their interest.

Deceased owner

Required documents depend on joint-tenancy language and estate administration. Possible evidence includes Letters of Administration, Affidavit 827, probate documents or a certified closing statement.

Power of attorney

Notarized Power of Attorney 847 may appoint an agent. Separate POAs are required for separate owners, and signing format must identify the principal and agent.

Limited assignment space

The last assignee must title before another private transfer. Secure reassignment forms from the issuing state may be accepted; a bill of sale does not replace full assignment space.

Repossession

A secured party may repossess after default without judicial process if there is no breach of peace. The purchaser generally submits 826, current title and fees to DMV headquarters. Unrecorded liens may require a surety bond.

Registration, Renewal, Nonresidents & Permits

Unit coverage, renewal cycles, commercial registration and temporary movement.

Generally registered

Motor vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs, OHVs, snowmachines, motorboats, recreational vehicles and mopeds must be registered unless an exemption or exempt-community rule applies.

New residents / nonresidents

New residents register within 10 days of residency or Alaska employment. Nonresidents generally have 60 days for vehicles and 90 consecutive days for boats.

Registration only / NTI

If an out-of-state lienholder retains the title, Alaska may issue No Title Issued registration to the owner shown on the other state’s record and note the lienholder.

Commercial / IRP

Alaska does not participate in IRP. Interstate commercial carriers may need dual registration or a commercial trip permit. Tok DMV and the Tok Weigh Station support entry transactions.

Renewal and expiration

Most vehicles renew biennially on a staggered month. Commercial vehicles may register annually. In-person renewal may add $10. OHV seasons end September 30; boats use a three-year staggered cycle.

Temporary permits

One-way trip permits generally cost $5. Commercial trip permits are listed at $350 for qualifying power units and $10 for trailers/semitrailers in the reference data; verify before collection.

Permanent registration

Participating locations may allow permanent registration for noncommercial trailers of any age or noncommercial vehicles at least eight years old. The one-time permanent fee is $25 in addition to normal registration, MVRT, title and lien fees. Eligibility ends on transfer.

Taxes, MVRT, Registration & Plate Fees

Statewide fees, location-based taxes and workbook corrections.

Alaska has no statewide sales/use tax. Local municipalities determine local sales/use-tax rates, taxable transactions, exemptions, caps and seasonal periods. MVRT is a separate location-based registration tax collected through DMV.

Vehicle or transaction	Standard fee
Standard vehicle title / duplicate	$15
Lien recording	$15
Manufactured-home title	$100
Passenger, pickup, cargo van, motorhome or APV registration	$100 / 24 months
Motorcycle	$60 / 24 months
Noncommercial trailer	$30 / 24 months
Farm vehicle	$68 / 24 months
Taxicab	$160 / 24 months
Commercial 0–5,000 lbs.	$90 annual / $180 biennial
Commercial 5,001–12,000 lbs.	$134 annual / $268 biennial
Commercial 12,001–18,000 lbs.	$258 annual / $516 biennial
Commercial 18,001 lbs. and over	$331 annual / $662 biennial
Personalized plate	$30 plus regular fees
Permanent-registration election	$25 plus regular fees/tax

MVRT calculation and exemptions

MVRT uses the residence tax area, vehicle category and model year from the applicable expiration-year chart. It generally is not prorated, except annual commercial registration. Active-duty military may receive MVRT relief; certain qualified seniors, mobility-disability applicants, disabled veterans, Alaska National Guard members and Gold Star families may receive both registration and MVRT relief for one vehicle.

Dealer plate correction

The $88 first / $50 additional dealer-plate amount applies to non-taxable areas only. The workbook includes location-specific totals reaching $276 first / $238 additional in Unalaska.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax

Proof of IRS Form 2290 filing is generally required before registering vehicles at 55,000 lbs. gross weight or more. Vehicles at 8,001 lbs. or more complete the V1 HVUT section.

Boats, OHVs, APVs, Trailers & Manufactured Homes

Special-unit title, registration and fee rules.

Boats

Powered boat registration is $24, non-powered optional registration $10, barge registration $75 and title $20. There is no added boat-lien fee. Boats over 24 feet not USCG documented generally require title.

Boat proof of ownership

MCO/MSO, prior title and registration or builder certification may be used. If ownership evidence is unavailable, uncontested registration for three years may support later title issuance.

OHVs / snowmachines

Registration is $10 for two years, $20 for four years or $30 for six years. These units are generally not titled unless APV/public-road rules apply.

APVs

APVs used on approved public roads in communities that have not prohibited operation must be titled and registered. The application identifies the unit as an APV.

Manufactured homes

Manufactured homes are titled but not registered. Form 870 is used; title is $100 and lien fee $15. Title/MCO may be cancelled when the home is affixed to legal property.

Trailers

Noncommercial trailer registration is $30 biennially. Commercial trailer/semitrailer registration is a one-time $20. Permanent-registration eligibility depends on location.

Dealer, Military & Exemption Information

Licensing thresholds, dealer plates and registration relief.

Dealer licensing

A dealer license is generally required when selling five or more vehicles per year. The workbook lists a $50 biennial dealer-license fee. Bond amounts require final packet verification before publication.

Dealer plates

Dealer plates are used for demonstration and delivery, not pleasure use. Fees vary by MVRT tax area and must be selected by dealer location.

Active-duty military

Nonresident active-duty members may retain home-state registration. If registering in Alaska, qualifying LES documentation may support MVRT exemption.

Disabled veteran / Gold Star

Qualified applicants may permanently register one vehicle without registration or MVRT fees, while applicable title and lien fees remain.

Alaska National Guard

Qualified members may register one noncommercial vehicle without registration or MVRT fees, subject to current proof requirements.

Senior / mobility disability

Qualified Alaska residents may receive a one-vehicle permanent registration exemption from registration and MVRT, subject to documentation.

Official Forms, Sources & DMV Offices

Primary applications, online resources and filing locations.

Alaska DMV

Main vehicle, title, registration, plate, boat, OHV and office portal.

Title Services

Title procedures, manufactured homes, special ownership and forms.

Official DMV Fee Calculator

Official registration and MVRT calculator for final verification.

Boat Services

Boat title, registration, exemptions, forms and current fees.

OHV / Snowmachine / APV

Registration periods, fees and public-road APV requirements.

DMV Locations

State offices, contract agents, business partners and exempt communities.

Alaska UCC Central

Secondary and non-title security-interest filing information.

Local Sales-Tax Information

State explanation of local tax authority and municipal verification.

Common forms referenced in the guide

V1 Vehicle Transaction Application; B1 Boat Title and Registration Application; 870 Manufactured Home Application; 809 Duplicate Title; 811 Verification of Vehicle; 824 No Proof/Inadequate Proof packet; 825 Vehicle Appraisal for Surety Bond; 826 Claim of Ownership/Involuntary Lien; 827 Small Estate Affidavit; 829 Reconstructed Vehicle Affidavit; 839/V6 Odometer Disclosure; 847 Power of Attorney; 849 Notice of Intent to Dismantle or Junk; 853 Refund Request.

Calculator office routing is populated from the workbook’s official Alaska DMV office and contract-agent table. Office hours and service availability should be checked before travel.

General Compliance Information

Insurance, inspections, records, plates and operational considerations.

Insurance

Drivers must maintain and carry proof of liability insurance. The current ILTS reference lists minimum limits of $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident and $25,000 property damage.

Safety / emissions

The Alaska reference reports no general motor-vehicle safety or emissions inspection program. Transaction-specific VIN inspections still apply.

Plates

Alaska generally issues one plate. Personalized and specialty plates remain with the owner; standard plates generally remain with the vehicle and are not transferable.

Records

DMV records may be indexed by VIN, registration number, license number and name. Form 851 may be used for research or verification with applicable fees.

Leased vehicles

Leased vehicles, including passenger cars, are treated as commercial for Alaska registration-fee calculation.

Local boundaries

MVRT and local tax boundaries may not align with ZIP codes or mailing cities. Confirm the exact residence jurisdiction before collecting or remitting funds.

This guide is a transaction-planning resource. Requirements, rates, forms, office services and local ordinances may change. Verify the final fee and document package with Alaska DMV or the responsible city/borough before submission.