Buying a Car in Alaska From Out of State
Whether you’re buying a car in Alaska from out of state or buying an Alaskan car, Jerry is here to show you how to register your vehicle.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Pat Roache
You’ve got 30 days after buying an out-of-state vehicle to register it in Alaska. Take the forms and fees to the DMV or mail them if you live in a remote Alaskan city.
You might expect a lot of paperwork when you buy a car from a different state. Actually, it’s not too bad! You’ll just have to register your vehicle in the state where you plan to reside.
Jerry
, the trustworthy car insurance app
, is here to guide you! We’ll show you how to register an out-of-state vehicle if you’re an Alaskan or if you’re from out of state and buying a car in Alaska. We’ll even throw in tips for saving on car insurance
in the Last Frontier, so keep reading!Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow to buy a car out of state as an Alaska resident
If you’re an Alaskan who scored a great deal on a car out-of-state, how do you register the vehicle, pay taxes, or transfer the title to Alaska?
This is a pretty common situation since Alaskans frequently buy cars in the contiguous U.S. and drive them back home. Sound familiar? If it does, you’ll have to pay Alaska sales tax on the car and register it with Alaska’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Take the following forms and documents to your local DMV office. If you live in a remote part of Alaska that doesn’t have an office within 50 miles, mail the documents and fees to:
State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: CORRESPONDENCE
3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101
Anchorage AK 99503
Otherwise, head to the DMV office with your car’s title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin and fill out the Original
Vehicle Transaction Application Form V1
and Title and Registration Form (Form 812)
. Include your complete contact information, the vehicle identification number (VIN), your driver’s license, and ownership information (including the address of the lienholder if you’re making payments).Along with the completed forms, include:
- Car title (hard copy)
- Lien release (if you’re making payments)
- $100 registration fee
- $15 title fee
- Motor vehicle registration taxes(these are based on city and vehicle model year)
Unless you live in a remote Alaskan city, you must take the form, documents, and fees to the DMV in person.
If you’re buying a car out of state as an Alaskan resident and there are out-of-state plates on the car, handle the existing plates on the car according to the laws in that state. For instance, some states require that you return the plates to the DMV while others let you keep or destroy them.
After you submit your documents and fees, you’ll get an Alaska title and a set of Alaska license plates (which are free if you choose the basic ones).
MORE: Title transfer Alaska
How to buy a car in Alaska if you live out of state
So what do you do if you spot a fantastic deal on a car in Alaska, and want to take it back to your home state? There are similarities to registering the vehicle, but it all depends on the state where you plan to reside. Usually, you’ll have to:
- Get a valid bill of sale for buying the car (check to see if your state requires notarization)
- Take the bill of sale to your local DMV along with your license or photo ID, proof of car insurance, odometer disclosure (if required), and any other documents they need
- Fill out the vehicle registration application for your state
- Pay vehicle registration fees and taxes
If the car you bought in Alaska has Alaskan plates, the state requires you to return them to the DMV. Since you’ll be driving around without plates, get temporary ones for driving the car home. Don’t worry—Jerry can help you get the
proof of insurance
you need before you head to the DMV.What if I don’t have a physical title?
You’re required to show a paper copy of your car’s title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin before you’re allowed to register the vehicle. If the state where you bought the car provided an electronic title, reach out to their DMV to request a physical copy.
The dealership has to reach out to the lender if you're financing your vehicle. It’s a little troublesome, but you might be able to get a temporary registration and car insurance that allows you to drive the car home while the paperwork is being processed.
If you still can’t get a physical title, get a vehicle inspector to complete
Alaska’s Verification of Vehicle Form (Form 811)
.Tips for buying a vehicle out of state
Although buying an out-of-state car is similar to buying one in-state, we’ve got suggestions that can prevent hassle or heartache down the road. You should keep some things in mind before signing on the dotted line:
- Get the vehicle history report. This is crucial if you purchase a used car from a private seller.CARFAXand other services give you a comprehensive vehicle history report that reveals any accidents or other issues in the car’s history.
- Make a vehicle inspection appointment at home. Each state has different inspection requirements, so check that the car meets the requirements of the state you’ll be driving it in. Read up on Alaska’s inspection requirements here.
- Schedule an emissions test if your state requires it. Alaska doesn’t require emissions testing, but if you want to register the car in another state, read up on their requirements.
- Learn about your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. Remember, you only pay taxes to the state where you’re registering the vehicle, not the state where you buy the car.
- Get car insurance before you leave the dealership. Most insurance policies cover temporary car insurance for new purchases, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurer.
How to save on car insurance in Alaska
You’re probably tired after doing all the research and filling out paperwork for buying your car, but you’re not done until you’ve got the right car insurance policy! Comparing multiple
car insurance quotes online
may sound like even more hassle, but it’s the only way to make sure you’ve found a good deal tailored to your driving profile.Experts also recommend shopping for car insurance every six months to make sure you keep the lowest rate available. If you live in the continental U.S.,
Jerry
can help! Download the free app, answer a few questions, and get competitive quotes from over 55 national insurers in less than 45 seconds and every time your policy is up for renewal!Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. Why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
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