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View All Title Applications, Titles FAQs

What documents will I need to make application for Alabama certificate of title?

An applicant for Alabama certificate of title must surrender the following documents to the designated agent in order to complete an application for Alabama certificate of title: (a) the outstanding manufacturer’s certificate of origin or certificate of title that is either in the applicant’s name or assigned to the applicant and any documents which support the transfer of the vehicle to the applicant; (b) if the vehicle is currently registered in a jurisdiction which does not title such vehicles, the applicant must surrender the outstanding registration documents which substantiate ownership of the vehicle. Additional documentation may be required if it cannot be determined whether the vehicle meets federal and state safety, emissions and anti-theft standards.

An applicant for Alabama certificate of title must surrender the following documents to the designated agent in order to complete an application for Alabama certificate of title:

  • the outstanding manufacturer’s certificate of origin or certificate of title that is either in the applicant’s name or assigned to the applicant and any documents which support the transfer of the vehicle to the applicant;
  • if the vehicle is currently registered in a jurisdiction which does not title such vehicles, the applicant must surrender the outstanding registration documents which substantiate ownership of the vehicle.

Additional documentation may be required if it cannot be determined whether the vehicle meets federal and state safety, emissions and anti-theft standards.

Related FAQs in Title Applications, Titles

ALDOR’s titling system, ALVIN, features a VIN decoder that populates this information.

However, there will be occasion where it will not be pre-populated. Sometimes it will populate the information after a vehicle trim is selected.

It is recommended to look up the vehicle year, make, model, and specifications in a Google-type search to see if you are able to find the unladen weight or GVWR.

Another alternative is the NHTSA VIN decoder (https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/). It will sometimes provide this information for vehicles.

If all else fails and you still can’t determine the unladen weight, then you can enter the same amount as was entered or pre-populated for the GVWR.

If there is joint-ownership and the names are joined by “or,” only one owner is required to sign the title application.

If there is joint-ownership and the names are joined by “and,” then both owners are required to sign the title application.

No, a bill of sale is not required to be provided for a leased vehicle.
Yes, a physical address located in Alabama must be provided for the owner on the application. A P.O. Box address may be provided for the special mailing address if there is no lienholder listed on the title application.
No, the state of Alabama does not require the assignment of an MSO or title to be notarized.
Yes, the lienholder’s name on the title application must agree exactly with the lienholder’s name provided on the back of the MSO or title.