Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale Required in Alabama?
The transfer of vehicle ownership must be accompanied by the execution of certain documents. In Alabama, an auto bill of sale is required to register any motor vehicle. While Alabama does not mandate that the bill of sale be notarized, it is still a crucial document that provides legal proof of the transaction and helps protect both the buyer and the seller. The document is also necessary for you for the personal accounting of property.
To complete the bill of sale and register a vehicle in Alabama, you are given 20 days, starting from the date of purchase.
The buyer should gather all required documentation, including the completed car bill of sale, the vehicle's title properly assigned to the new owner, and a valid form of identification. Additionally, the buyer should obtain a properly executed odometer disclosure statement if the vehicle is less than ten years old. With these documents in hand, the buyer should visit the local Alabama Department of Revenue (DOR) office or an authorized tag and title service provider. At the DOR office, the buyer will need to submit the completed bill of sale, the vehicle's title, proof of insurance, and payment for registration fees, title transfer, and applicable taxes. Following these steps will enable a new vehicle owner to complete the registration process smoothly and in compliance with Alabama's regulations.
To sum up, the documents that will be required for the registration process:
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Car bill of sale
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Odometer disclosure statement
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Liability insurance (a copy)
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Vehicle title (if you do not have any, you need to fill out Form MVT 12-1)
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Registration fee
The Alabama Department of Revenue (DOR) recommends using a bill of sale to record the transfer of ownership accurately and to include essential information about the vehicle, the buyer, the seller, and the terms of the sale.