Alaska DMV Power of Attorney: Vehicle Title Transfers via Form 847

Transferring vehicle title, registering a car, or selling a vehicle on behalf of someone else in Alaska requires a specific DMV power of attorney — Form 847. A general financial power of attorney may not satisfy the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, which has strict requirements about the document format and presentation.

Form 847: What It Is and When You Need It

Alaska DMV Form 847 (Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney) authorizes an agent to conduct vehicle-related business with the Division of Motor Vehicles. You need it when:

• Selling a vehicle on behalf of an incapacitated or absent owner
• Registering a vehicle when the owner cannot appear in person
• Signing title documents for a principal who is deployed, hospitalized, or working remotely (North Slope, maritime)
• Handling lien releases or duplicate title requests

The form must be:

• Completed with vehicle identification details (VIN, year, make, model)
• Signed by the vehicle owner
• Notarized (acknowledged before a notary public)
• Presented as the original — the DMV rejects photocopies, scans, and digital reproductions

Co-Owner Title Rules

How a vehicle title is styled determines what authority the agent needs:

Title reads "OR" between co-owners: Either owner's signature (or their agent's) is sufficient to release or transfer the title. One agent acting for one owner can complete the transaction.

Title reads "AND" between co-owners (or has a blank space with no conjunction): All listed owners must sign. If one owner is incapacitated, the agent needs POA authority for that specific person — and the other owner must sign independently.

Lien Release Requirements

If the vehicle has an outstanding lien, clearing it for sale or transfer requires more than a "PAID" stamp on the title. Alaska DMV demands:

• A formal, notarized lien release letter from the financial institution
• The letter must be signed by an authorized officer of the institution
• It must specify the date, the officer's printed name and title, and the vehicle identification

The agent operating under a POA can request this release from the lender, but the lender issues it — it's not something the agent creates.

Standard Fees

Processing takes 10-15 business days for title and lien transactions.

When a General POA Isn't Enough

A general financial POA under AS 13.26.645 that checks "YES" for tangible personal property gives your agent broad authority over vehicle matters. However, the DMV may still require Form 847 as a supplemental document specifically identifying the vehicle being transacted.

Best practice: execute both a general durable POA (for comprehensive financial authority) and a vehicle-specific Form 847 (for DMV-specific transactions). Keep the original Form 847 with your vehicle documents — your agent will need to present it in person or by mail.

The Alaska Power of Attorney Kit covers vehicle authority within the general financial POA, plus instructions for obtaining and completing DMV Form 847 for vehicle-specific transactions.

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