An Alabama bill of sale is a document that can be used to officially record the sale of any item between a buyer and a seller. The item could be a car, boat, firearm, or other personal property. Once both parties have completed and signed the form, ownership is officially transferred to the buyer.
How to Register a Vehicle in Alabama
Motor vehicles are registered using license plates at a Department of Revenue Licensing Office within the owner’s county of residence. You shall obtain a license plate within 20 calendar days after the acquisition.
Bill of Sale – By Type (5)
A document that attests to the transfer of a used car from one owner to another, either as a sale or a gift.
Vehicle Bill of Sale
A document that legally transfers the ownership of a boat or other watercraft from a seller to a buyer.
Boat Bill of Sale
A document used to buy or sell a trailer (or any non-motorized vehicle pulled by another vehicle) and register it at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Trailer Bill of Sale
A legal document that records the sale of a firearm between two parties—a seller and a buyer.
Firearm Bill of Sale
A document used to record the transfer of a motorcycle and prevent fraudulent sales in Alabama.
Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Requirements
In Alabama, the Department of Revenue (DOR) [1] does not always require a bill of sale for vehicles. However, it is imperative when selling a vehicle and no title is available. If there is a title, you can reassign ownership of the title itself. Bills of sale are always required to register vessels in the state.
All bills of sale must be notarized or have two witnesses to the requisite signatures.
Language and Copy Requirements
- Language: The DOR (and each county) does not provide bills of sale in Spanish or other languages, nor do they provide translators. If you’re not fluent in English, you’ll need to find one. For private transactions, the bill of sale can be in any language as long as both parties understand their copy.
- Number of Copies: The buyer and seller should each keep a copy of the bill of sale for their records. If the document is filed with the state, an additional copy may be necessary.
Vehicle Registration Forms
Before registering a vehicle, a title application must be completed. To register a vehicle, bring the documents listed below:
- Bill of Sale
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form MVT 5-5)
- Certificate of Title (you can obtain one using the Public Title Portal)
- Valid driver’s license
- Registration fees
- A notarized motor vehicle power of attorney (Form MVT 5-13) if the owner appoints a representative to register the vehicle
- Proof of insurance with the Minimum Requirement [2] :
- $25,000 for bodily injuries per person
- $50,000 for bodily injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Boat Registration Forms
Boat owners can register, renew, or transfer their boat ownership at any County License Office. For new boats, registration must be made within three (3) days, and for used boats (that are currently registered with Alabama), within fifteen (15) days.
- Application for a State-Assigned Hull Identification Number (HIN)(needs to be completed by the boat owner for new or out-of-state-boats);
- Bill of Sale (mandatory for new boats and recommended for used boats);
- Certification of Measurement of Vessel Length
- Request Certified Copy of Registration Certificate
- Application for Boat Registration
- Title (if available)
- Registration Fees (depends on county requirements and length of the vessel)
Sample
