Alabama DMV Services

🚘 Alabama Title & Registration — Required Documentation

 1️⃣ Proof of Ownership (Title)

To apply for an Alabama title, you must provide:

• For a used vehicle (private party or dealer purchase):
  • The current certificate of title signed over to you by the seller.
  • The purchase price recorded on title or a bill of sale showing vehicle details (VIN, sale price, sale date) — required especially if the title lacks purchase price/odometer info.
• For a new vehicle:
  • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) assigned to you or the title application paperwork completed by the dealer.
  • The dealer usually submits the title application to the state for you.

✔ If the vehicle has no title (rare, e.g., older than 35 years or out-of-state with lost title), you may need additional documentation or a surety bond before titling.

3️⃣  Bill of Sale

• For used vehicles: A bill of sale documenting the transaction is required if the title does not show the sale price or if it’s an out‑of‑state title.
• It should include VIN, buyer & seller names, purchase price and date.

4️⃣ Proof of Liability Insurance

Before you can register the vehicle in Alabama, you must have Alabama liability auto insurance that meets state minimums. The office may verify coverage electronically, but you should bring your insurance card if needed.

5️⃣ Odometer Disclosure

For most vehicles less than 10 years old, you must show an odometer reading either on the title or on a separate disclosure form when titling/registering.

6️⃣ VIN/Ownership Inspection (if applicable)

A VIN/ownership doc inspection may be required if:

• The vehicle is coming from out of state, or
• The vehicle didn’t previously have a title (e.g., older than 35 years or registered only elsewhere).

This inspection verifies that the VIN on the car matches the paperwork.  Customer meet paperwork at the county office, no exemptions unless military, VIN inspection form only county office provides.

7️⃣ Proof of Identity & Residency

While not always listed explicitly in the ALDOR FAQ, most county license plate offices require:

• A valid AL driver’s license, ID or voters registration card
• Proof of Alabama residency (driver’s license address or utility bill)

This is standard practice when titling/registering vehicles.

8️⃣ Sales/Use Tax & Fees

 You must pay Alabama motor vehicle sales/use tax — usually collected by the dealer or at the county office when you transfer paperwork

• AL taxes purchase price, Add-ons, shipping and warranties
• No trade in credit is given in this state
• Only property tax credit is given but vehicle traded must have been registered in AL and the county determines the amount of credit allowed
• If lease vehicle sales tax can be collected upfront but Department of Revenue suggest tax to be collected on the stream
• Sales tax % varies on customer’s address, see below link:
  Alabama Department of Revenue – Sales and Use Tax Rates

📍 Title and Registration Requirements

✔ Original title or MCO
✔ Proof of Alabama liability insurance
✔ copy of contract (if applicable)
✔ Bill of sale
✔ Odometer disclosure (if required)
✔ Payment for registration fees and taxes
✔ License plate number (if a plate is to be transferred)
✔ Color of vehicle
✔ Original AL VIN inspection
✔ Copy of Driver’s License or EIN/FEIN if company
✔ Original POA (if applicable)

📅 Important Deadlines

🗓 20 Days to Title & Register
After buying a new or used vehicle, Alabama law gives you 20 calendar days to title and register the vehicle to avoid penalties.

📍 30 Days for New Residents
If you moved to Alabama with a vehicle from another state, you generally have 30 days to register it in Alabama.