Selling or buying a car in Alabama? Fill in the free bill of sale below, then follow Alabama’s title rules. A bill of sale records the price, date, VIN and as-is terms; the signed title is what usually transfers ownership.
Free Alabama Vehicle Bill of Sale template
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Vehicle Bill of Sale
Seller: ____, ____ Buyer: ____, ____
Vehicle
| Year | Make | Model | VIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ |
Odometer reading: ____ miles. To the best of Seller’s knowledge this reflects the actual mileage, unless noted here: __.
Sale
On ____, Seller sold the vehicle to Buyer for $____, receipt of which Seller acknowledges.
As-is
The vehicle is sold as-is, where-is, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, except that Seller states they are the legal owner and the vehicle is free of liens and encumbrances unless listed here: __.
Title
Seller will sign over the certificate of title to Buyer. Buyer is responsible for registration, taxes and fees required by ____.
Seller: __ Date: __
Buyer: __ Date: __
This free template is general information, not legal advice, and may not suit your state or situation. Some documents must be signed before witnesses or a notary. For anything important, have a lawyer review it.
Alabama rules to know
- Bill of sale for non-titled vehicles. Alabama Department of Revenue rule 810-5-1-.246 says that for vehicles not subject to the title act, the buyer keeps a bill of sale in the vehicle and must register within 20 calendar days.
- What it must show: the buyer’s name and address, the date of sale, the VIN, make, year, model and body style, the seller’s name and address, the price, and both signatures. This form has a field for each.
- Titled vehicles transfer on the certificate of title; keep this bill of sale as your record of the price and terms.
What else you need
The certificate of title is what legally transfers ownership in most cases. Federal rules require an odometer disclosure at every transfer for model year 2011 and newer vehicles, for their first 20 years. If Alabama has its own bill of sale form, you can use it alongside this one.
Tips for sellers
- Keep a signed copy of this bill of sale and a photo of the signed title.
- Notify your insurer once the car is gone.
- Accept payment you can verify (cash or a cashier’s check confirmed with the bank).
Sources
Alabama rules checked October 23, 2026. Laws and agency rules change; confirm with the state agency linked above. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a bill of sale in Alabama?
For vehicles that are not covered by Alabama’s title law, yes: the regulation requires a bill of sale, kept in the vehicle until registration. For titled vehicles, the signed title transfers ownership.
How long do you have to transfer a title in Alabama?
For vehicles that need a bill of sale, it must be kept in the vehicle within 20 calendar days of the purchase until the vehicle is registered.
Does a bill of sale need to be notarized in Alabama?
The Alabama page we checked does not require notarizing a bill of sale. Follow any notary lines printed on the title itself.
Is a bill of sale the same as a title?
No. The title transfers legal ownership; the bill of sale records the transaction.
Questions from readers
Question about the Alabama Vehicle Bill of Sale? Ask it here. We answer common questions in general terms on this page. This is not legal advice.
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