Arizona Certificate of Title Bond

In the state of Arizona, you are required to provide a vehicle's title when selling or transferring to another person. In other instances, you may need a car title to prove ownership for insurance purposes. So, what happens when the original vehicle title is lost or information is missing? You can replace it with an Arizona Certificate of Title Bond.

These bonds are also commonly referred to as Arizona Title Bonds or Arizona Bonded Titles.

An Arizona Certificate of Title Bond is a replacement vehicle title with a surety bond attached. This means it acts just like an original vehicle title, but you have to pay a fee for it. This fee, or bond's cost, acts as a financial guarantee. It ensures that you are the owner of the vehicle and supplying truthful information regarding your car.

Every Arizona Certificate of Title Bond is a contract between three parties:

1. Principal – the person that owns the vehicle and needs to get the bond.
2. Obligee – the organization requiring the principal to get bonded (Arizona Motor Vehicle Division).
3. Surety – the surety company that issues and financially backs the bond (ex. Lance Surety Bonds).

Says someone sells a vehicle they are in illegal possession of, and the rightful owner makes a bond claim against them. The surety initially pays for the claim. However, the principal is then required to pay them back in full.

Bonded Title claims are triggered mainly by lienholders, buyers, and previous owners.

A Bonded Title in Arizona is needed by anyone missing their original vehicle title in order to satisfy regulations and authorities. These titles contain information regarding a vehicle's history, make, model, VIN, and more. All of which are pertinent when selling the vehicle, changing ownership, and getting insured.

Specific reasons you would need an Arizona Bonded Vehicle Title include:

• Buying a car and losing the original title before transferring it to your name.
• Purchasing a vehicle that currently has no title.
• Buying older classic or antique cars without a title.
• Having a title that is missing information, such as your name.
• The current title was not properly signed.

An Arizona Certificate of Title Bond costs as little as $100, but the cost heavily varies. The price you pay to get a Title Bond will depend on your vehicle's value and credit score.

•  Vehicle Value: The full amount of your bond must be one and a half times your vehicle's value, as assessed by the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. Say your car is valued at $8,000. This would mean your surety bond must be in the amount of $12,000. Note that this is not the amount you will pay—you will only pay 1% - 10% of that amount, on average.
•  Credit Score: Your credit score is the main factor that determines the percentage of your bond that you pay. This is known as your bond premium or bond rate. Using the example of the $12,000 bond, if you have good credit, you can expect to pay $120 - $360 to get bonded.

 Get a Free Certificate of Title Bond Quote.

If you have exhausted all resources to find your original title, here's how to get the replacement title through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

1. Gather Your Documents & Start Your Application

Any document you can find that helps prove your vehicle's ownership history is helpful. You can find these by contacting previous owners, your dealer, local state authorities, etc. Once you've done this, you can start your application:

• Bonded Title Application for vehicles and trailers  
• Bonded Title Application  for mobile homes

2. Contact the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)

The MVD will assess the value of your vehicle. They will also have a designated law enforcement officer or inspector to verify your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to ensure the vehicle isn't stolen. Furthermore, they may have you complete a Motor Vehicle Record Request form.

3. Get Your Arizona Title Bond

Apply online to get bonded. Remember that your bond amount needs to be one and a half times the assessed value. So, if your vehicle is valued at $1,000, your surety bond needs to be $1,500.

This online application sends an instant quote to your email. From there, you can buy your bond online, and we will send you a copy of the electronic bond as soon as your payment clears. Most people can get bonded within a couple of hours.

Melanie recently got a Title Bond with us and was very happy with our online application.

"I never needed a bond before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Lance Surety made it quick and easy with their online application. I was thrilled that they got me bonded the same day!" – Melanie D.

Related Guide: How to Get Bonded.

How Long is a Bonded Title Valid?

A bonded title in Arizona is valid for three years. After that, it essentially becomes a regular vehicle title. You just need to apply for a non-bonded vehicle title at that point.

Can I sell a vehicle with a bonded title?

Yes, you can sell a vehicle with a bonded title. In fact, many people get bonded titles specifically to sell cars, trucks, mobile homes, or trailers. Note that while the title transfers to the new owner, the surety bond stays with you (the seller).  

What happens if my bond expires?

If your bond expires after three years, you don't have to renew. You can then apply for a non-bonded vehicle title.

If your bond expires and requires renewal, you should receive notice from your surety company a minimum of 30 days before the expiry. They will provide instructions on how to renew your bond.

What happens if a claim is made against my bonded title?

If an injured party makes a claim against your bonded title, the claim will be assessed, paid by the surety, and then repaid by you.

1. Assess - One of our surety experts will assess the claim. They do this to ensure the claim is valid and that you aren't paying for false accusations.
2. Pay - If the claim isn't valid, nothing happens. If it is found to be true, we pay the claim within 30 days (up to the full value of the bond).
3. Reimburse - We set up a payment plan for you to repay us.

 See Bond Claims for more information.

Arizona Revised Statutes. (n.d.). In www.azleg.gov. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=28

Bonded Title. (n.d.). In Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/vehicle-services/title-and-registration/bonded-title

Surety Bond Claims. (n.d.). In Lance Surety Bonds. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://www.lancesuretybonds.com/learn/surety-bond-claims

What Is A Bonded Title & Why Do You Need One? (n.d.). In lancesuretybonds.com. lancesuretybonds.com. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from
https://www.lancesuretybonds.com/license-bonds/bonded-title