Alabama Bill of Sale (AL)
A free blank Alabama bill of sale template for selling a car, truck or van, as a fillable PDF or a Word file, with what Alabama government sources say about the sale.
After the sale in Alabama: what the sources say happens next
Forms for an Alabama sale
The template is created in your browser, and nothing you type is sent to us.
We couldn't confirm what the Alabama Department of Revenue accepts as a bill of sale. If that matters for your sale, confirm it with the Alabama Department of Revenue.
We could not confirm in an Alabama government source whether a bill of sale has to be notarized. That does not mean the answer is no.
Last checked against the sources below on September 21, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm with the Alabama Department of Revenue before you file.
This page covers selling a car, truck or van in Alabama. Other items have national templates, which don't cover state rules.
After the sale in Alabama
What the sources say happens after the sale. A step is marked Seller or Buyer where its source names that party, and each step links to its source.
- License plates are to be removed by the registrant upon the sale or disposal of the vehicle. Source: revenue.alabama.gov: when-i-sell-or-otherwise-dispose-of-my-vehicle-does-the-license-plate-remain-on-the-vehicle (opens in a new tab), revenue.alabama.gov: i-just-acquired-a-vehicle-how-many-days-do-i-have-to-title-and-register-this-vehicle (opens in a new tab)
- Buyer Alabama law says a person who acquires a new or used motor vehicle shall obtain a license plate within 20 calendar days from the date of acquisition. Source: revenue.alabama.gov: when-i-sell-or-otherwise-dispose-of-my-vehicle-does-the-license-plate-remain-on-the-vehicle (opens in a new tab), revenue.alabama.gov: i-just-acquired-a-vehicle-how-many-days-do-i-have-to-title-and-register-this-vehicle (opens in a new tab)
- Applications for an Alabama certificate of title go through designated agents of the Department of Revenue, such as county license plate issuing officials. The fee is $15, plus a $1.50 commission; license plate issuing officials may collect another $1.50, and some counties add local fees. Source: revenue.alabama.gov: where-do-i-apply-for-an-alabama-certificate-of-title (opens in a new tab), revenue.alabama.gov: what-is-the-cost-to-make-application-for-alabama-certificate-of-title (opens in a new tab)
- A person who purchases a vehicle in Alabama from anyone who is not a licensed dealer owes casual sales tax at a 2 percent state rate, plus any local rates, collected by local licensing officials. Source: revenue.alabama.gov: casual-sales-tax (opens in a new tab), revenue.alabama.gov: casual-sales-and-use-tax (opens in a new tab)
What's different in Alabama
In Alabama a title application goes through one of the Department of Revenue's designated agents, which include county license plate issuing officials, licensed Alabama motor vehicle dealers, and financial institutions in Alabama such as banks and credit unions. The application fee is $15. The designated agent adds a $1.50 commission, license plate issuing officials may collect a further $1.50, and some counties have local fees on top. Buying a vehicle in Alabama from anyone who is not a licensed dealer brings casual sales tax, at a 2 percent state rate plus any local rates due for individual counties and cities, and local licensing officials collect it.
The bill of sale has a defined role for vehicles outside Alabama's title act, such as a motor vehicle more than 35 model years old: during the first 20 calendar days and before registration, the person registering it must keep a legible copy of the bill of sale in the vehicle. Where a transfer with a certificate of title requires the mileage to be certified, the mileage on the title application must agree exactly with the mileage listed in the title assignment. The registrant removes the license plates when the vehicle is sold, and the Department of Revenue says, “If another vehicle is acquired, you may be able to transfer your license plate to this newly acquired vehicle.”
On the buyer's side, Alabama law says a person who acquires a new or used motor vehicle shall obtain a license plate within 20 calendar days from the date of acquisition. A blank vehicle bill of sale is available on this page.
Alabama rules at a glance
| Topic | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of sale required | A bill of sale is required in some cases in Alabama. For a vehicle that is not covered by Alabama's title act, such as a motor vehicle more than 35 model years old, the person registering it must keep a legible copy of the bill of sale in the vehicle during the first 20 calendar days and before registration. | revenue.alabama.gov: 810-5-1-.246 (PDF) (opens in a new tab) revenue.alabama.gov: general-titles (opens in a new tab) |
| Odometer disclosure | Where a transfer with a certificate of title requires the mileage to be certified, the mileage on the title application must agree exactly with the mileage listed in the title assignment. | revenue.alabama.gov: if-the-odometer-reading-is-missing-in-the-assignment-will-the-title-application-be-rejected-by-the-department (opens in a new tab) |
| Title transfer | Title transfers in Alabama are handled by designated agents of the Alabama Department of Revenue, which include county license plate issuing officials, licensed Alabama motor vehicle dealers, and financial institutions in Alabama such as banks and credit unions. The fee is $15, plus a $1.50 commission added by the designated agent; license plate issuing officials may collect another $1.50, and some counties have local fees. | revenue.alabama.gov: where-do-i-apply-for-an-alabama-certificate-of-title (opens in a new tab) revenue.alabama.gov: what-is-the-cost-to-make-application-for-alabama-certificate-of-title (opens in a new tab) |
| Sales tax | A person who purchases a vehicle in Alabama from anyone who is not a licensed dealer owes casual sales tax at a 2 percent state rate, plus any local rates due for individual counties and cities. Local licensing officials collect it. | revenue.alabama.gov: casual-sales-tax (opens in a new tab) revenue.alabama.gov: casual-sales-and-use-tax (opens in a new tab) |
| License plates | License plates are to be removed by the registrant upon the sale or disposal of the vehicle. Alabama law says a person who acquires a new or used motor vehicle shall obtain a license plate within 20 calendar days from the date of acquisition. | revenue.alabama.gov: when-i-sell-or-otherwise-dispose-of-my-vehicle-does-the-license-plate-remain-on-the-vehicle (opens in a new tab) revenue.alabama.gov: i-just-acquired-a-vehicle-how-many-days-do-i-have-to-title-and-register-this-vehicle (opens in a new tab) |
What the template looks like
Vehicle Bill of Sale
This document records the sale of the vehicle described below.
Seller
Seller's full name:
Seller's address:
Seller's phone or email:
Second seller's full name, if there is one:
Buyer
Buyer's full name:
Buyer's address:
Buyer's phone or email:
Second buyer's full name, if there is one:
Show the whole template
Vehicle
Year, make and model:
Body type and color:
VIN:
License plate number:
Title number:
Odometer reading (miles, no tenths):
Odometer status (write one: actual mileage; exceeds mechanical limits; not the actual mileage):
The odometer reading and status in this bill of sale are the buyer's and the seller's own record. They do not replace the odometer disclosure that the federal rule (49 CFR 580.5) or the state asks for.
Condition as described by the seller:
Sale
Sale price:
Date of sale:
Method of payment:
The seller sells the vehicle to the buyer for the price above. The seller states that the odometer reading is as written above.
Anything else the parties agree on:
Place and date of signing:
Seller's signature and printed name
Second seller's signature and printed name, if there is one
Buyer's signature and printed name
Second buyer's signature and printed name, if there is one
Alabama bill of sale questions
Where is a title application made in Alabama?
Through a designated agent of the Alabama Department of Revenue. Designated agents include county license plate issuing officials, licensed Alabama motor vehicle dealers, and financial institutions in Alabama such as banks and credit unions. The application fee is $15, plus a $1.50 commission added by the designated agent.
How soon after buying a vehicle is a license plate due in Alabama?
Within 20 calendar days from the date of acquisition.
What is casual sales tax in Alabama?
The tax on a vehicle bought in Alabama from anyone who is not a licensed dealer. The state rate is 2 percent, plus any local rates due for individual counties and cities, and local licensing officials collect it.
Does the license plate stay on a vehicle sold in Alabama?
No. The registrant removes the license plates when the vehicle is sold. The Department of Revenue adds, “If another vehicle is acquired, you may be able to transfer your license plate to this newly acquired vehicle.”
Sources
Last checked against the sources below on September 21, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm with the Alabama Department of Revenue before you file.
- revenue.alabama.gov: 810-5-1-.246 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: general-titles (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: if-the-odometer-reading-is-missing-in-the-assignment-will-the-title-application-be-rejected-by-the-department (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: where-do-i-apply-for-an-alabama-certificate-of-title (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: what-is-the-cost-to-make-application-for-alabama-certificate-of-title (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: casual-sales-tax (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: casual-sales-and-use-tax (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: when-i-sell-or-otherwise-dispose-of-my-vehicle-does-the-license-plate-remain-on-the-vehicle (opens in a new tab)
- revenue.alabama.gov: i-just-acquired-a-vehicle-how-many-days-do-i-have-to-title-and-register-this-vehicle (opens in a new tab)