Arizona's New 2026 Affidavit of Property Value Form Explained in Under 3 Minutes

If you are recording an Arizona deed in 2026, a small paperwork detail can create a frustrating delay: the buyer’s and seller’s telephone numbers must now appear on the Affidavit of Property Value.

The Arizona Department of Revenue republished the current Form 82162 and its instructions with a publish date of September 11, 2026. At the same time, SB 1479, now Chapter 31, changed several property-recording requirements.

I am going to explain the practical points in under three minutes, especially the items that can cause a county recorder to reject a deed.

1. What is the Arizona Affidavit of Property Value?

The Affidavit of Property Value, also called the affidavit of legal value or sales affidavit, is the Arizona Department of Revenue form used to report information about a real-property transfer.

The form records information such as:

• The buyer’s and seller’s names and contact information
• The property’s legal description and situs address
• The sale date
• The total consideration paid
• Financing information
• The assessor’s parcel number
• The relationship, if any, between the parties
• Information about the person who can answer questions about the affidavit

The form generally accompanies a deed evidencing a transfer of title and a contract relating to the sale of real property. It is not simply an optional cover sheet. Under the amended A.R.S. § 11-1133, the county recorder must refuse to record the deed or qualifying contract if a complete affidavit is not appended, unless the instrument includes a valid exemption notation.

2. Who must complete and sign it?

The affidavit is completed by the buyer, seller, or an agent of either or both parties. The current Arizona Department of Revenue instructions explain the information that must be supplied, and the affidavit must be properly signed and notarized.

The important practical point is this: the affidavit and the deed are connected. A properly prepared deed can still be delayed if the required affidavit is missing, incomplete, or inconsistent with the transaction.

That is why we review the deed, legal description, parcel information, transfer details, and affidavit together. Catching a problem before submission is much easier than responding after a rejection.

3. The newest gotcha: telephone numbers are required

SB 1479 amended A.R.S. § 11-1133 to require the name, mailing address, and telephone number of both the buyer and the seller.

The telephone number is the newest detail catching people off guard.

Email addresses may be included as additional contact information, but email is optional. It does not replace the required telephone number.

Before submitting Form 82162, I recommend checking that:

• The buyer’s name is complete and accurate.
• The seller’s name is complete and accurate.
• Both mailing addresses are included.
• Both telephone numbers are included.
• Any email addresses are treated as optional additions, not substitutes.
• The information matches the deed and transaction documents.

A missing phone number may seem minor, but the statute requires it. The recorder is not required to overlook the omission.

4. “Not applicable” is different from leaving a blank

Another practical 2026 reminder comes directly from the amended statute: an affidavit is complete when all required information is either stated on the form or indicated on the form as “not applicable.”

A blank field is not automatically the same as “not applicable.”

If a particular question truly does not apply to the transaction, the form should indicate that clearly according to the form’s instructions. Do not leave required sections empty simply because they do not seem relevant.

For example, a transaction may involve information that does not fit a particular financing or property question. The safer approach is to review the instructions and mark the field appropriately rather than assuming the recorder will infer your intent.

This is one of the details we check as a certified legal document preparer in Arizona. Our role is to help organize and prepare paperwork accurately. We do not decide legal issues or provide legal advice, but we can help identify incomplete paperwork and explain what information the form requests.

5. Recording in person now requires photo identification

SB 1479 also added A.R.S. § 11-472. If a document is recorded in person at the county recorder’s office or at a recording kiosk, the person submitting it must present valid photo identification unless a statutory exception applies.

The listed exceptions include submissions by:

• An escrow officer or escrow office
• A title insurance agent or title insurer
• A state-chartered or federally chartered bank or credit union
• An active member of the State Bar of Arizona
• A governmental entity

The recorder may not keep a copy of the identification. However, the recorder must note the identification type, the name on it, and the identification number. That information is not a public record.

If you are self-represented and plan to record a deed in person, bring valid photo identification. This requirement is separate from completing Form 82162, but both issues can affect the recording process.

6. When a family transfer may skip the affidavit

Not every deed requires an Affidavit of Property Value. A.R.S. § 11-1134 provides exemptions, including certain:

• Transfers providing or releasing security for a debt, including deeds of trust and deeds pursuant to a power of sale
• Transfers confirming or correcting a previously recorded deed
• Transfers between closely related parties for nominal consideration, including spouses, parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild
• Gifts
• Transfers into or out of a trust when beneficial ownership does not change
• Transfers between related legal entities for no or nominal consideration
• Creation of a joint tenancy with right of survivorship between existing owners
• Creation of community property with right of survivorship between existing owners

A family relationship alone does not mean every transfer is automatically exempt. The specific facts and consideration matter.

If the transfer qualifies, the exemption code must be visible on the face of the deed. Standard practice is to place the notation beneath the legal description. For example, a qualifying parent-to-child transfer may use:

A.R.S. 11-1134 B-3

The exact code must match the applicable exemption. If the deed does not display the exemption notation, the recorder may refuse to record it, even if the transfer would otherwise qualify.

7. Two additional 2026 property-protection changes

The same law includes other changes Arizona property owners should understand.

First, on or before January 1, 2027, each county assessor must offer a voluntary notification system. An owner may choose to receive an email, text message, or similar prompt when the assessor receives notice of a change in ownership or a change in the owner’s mailing address.

This is Arizona’s response to deed-fraud concerns. When your county announces that its system is available, I recommend reviewing the sign-up instructions and considering whether you want to participate.

Second, A.R.S. § 33-420 was strengthened. Knowingly recording a forged, groundless, materially false, or otherwise invalid property document is now classified as a class 5 felony, rather than a class 1 misdemeanor. The civil liability is at least $5,000 or treble the actual damages, whichever is greater, along with potential attorney fees and costs under the statute.

The notary thumbprint requirement is another separate part of SB 1479. It applies to certain notarized real-estate and power-of-attorney documents and involves the notary’s journal. We covered that issue separately because it is different from the Affidavit of Property Value and the county-recording requirements discussed here.

8. Our practical checklist before you record

Before submitting an Arizona deed, I recommend confirming:

1. The deed is properly completed and signed.
2. The legal description matches the intended property.
3. The correct county and recording information are being used.
4. Form 82162 is attached if no exemption applies.
5. The buyer’s and seller’s names, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers are included.
6. Required fields are completed or clearly marked “not applicable.”
7. The affidavit is signed and notarized as required.
8. A valid exemption notation appears on the face of the deed when applicable.
9. You bring valid photo identification if recording in person and no exception applies.

A client once told us that Dovan Associates “saved me time and money” because everything was taken care of without unexpected hidden fees. That is the experience we aim to provide: clear explanations, careful document preparation, and a personal review before paperwork reaches the recorder.

Need help with an Arizona property deed?

At Dovan Associates, we provide property deed preparation in Arizona and flat-fee paperwork help for individuals and families who want an organized, accurate process without the cost of full attorney representation.

As a certified legal document preparer in Arizona, I can help prepare and organize documents based on the information you provide. We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, interpret legal rights, or advise you whether a particular exemption applies. When a legal judgment is needed, we can help you understand when it may be appropriate to consult an attorney through our professional network.

To discuss your paperwork, contact Dovan Associates or learn more about working with a certified legal document preparer. Our goal is simple: quality documents with a personal touch, and fewer avoidable rejection letters.