Title Transfers

Whether you buy your vehicle or receive it as a gift, you must transfer the title to your name within 20 days. Title applications are available at your local tag office, licensed car dealers, and some banks and credit unions.

When you apply for the transfer at any of the above locations, you will need to bring the following paperwork:

• Manufacturer's certificate of origin or the current title showing that ownership has been transferred to you.

• Bill of sale―your receipt for purchasing the vehicle.

• Registration documents showing transfer of the vehicle to you if the car is not currently titled.

• $15 title application fee, plus $1.50 to $3 handling fees, depending on the county.

• Taxes due upon purchase. These taxes vary by county and will not be quoted on the telephone.

You don't need to hold a driver's license to transfer a title, but you will need proof of identity. Take your driver's license or photo ID with you when you apply for the transfer.

Most, but not all, license plates are transferable, so when transferring a title you might also have to purchase a new tag.

A title can include only two names and one address. If more than two people own the vehicle, you must decide among yourselves whose names will be on the title before submitting the application.

Transferring a Title After Death of Owner

If the owner of a vehicle dies, you can apply for a transfer of title using Form MVT 5-6. You must supply supporting documentation with the application along with a $3 transfer fee. The documents required might include certified copies of the death certificate, the will (if there is one), the current valid title, and possibly a certified letter from the court.

Replacement Title

If you've lost or misplaced your title, you can apply for a replacement. Just fill out an application for a replacement title or pick one up at your local tag office. Send a cashier's check or money order for $15 to:

• Alabama Department of Revenue

• Motor Vehicle Division―Title Section

• P.O. Box 327699

• Montgomery, AL 36132-7699

On the application, you will need to indicate the reason for the replacement and certify with your signature that your statements are correct.

Changes, Changes, Changes

It's best to make any changes to the registration and title when you renew your tags, because this will save you time and money. You must make all changes in person at your local tag office.

Every circumstance requires a different procedure for changing your title and registration, but in Alabama when you make changes to the registration, you're also required to make changes to the tag receipt.

Adding a name to a title is as simple as securing car insurance for that other person and providing proof of that insurance to the state when you apply for the change.

Deleting a name requires an additional step. The person you are deleting must sign the vehicle over to you by signing the back of the title, or you must present a copy of the death certificate or a divorce decree, if applicable.

Changing your name requires certified documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

All changes require the same $15 title fee, but you'll pay this fee anyway when you renew your tags, so you'll save money by doing all of it at one time. There is no deadline for making these changes, so it is both safe and smart to wait.