Free Alabama Free Printable Bill of Sale
Alabama has no official bill of sale form for private vehicle sales, and needs a bill of sale only in some situations — for a vehicle not covered by its title law, or as proof of the price for the casual sales tax unless the buyer accepts the state's standard value. The key deadline is 20 calendar days: the buyer must register the vehicle — bringing the signed title and proof of the price — through the county license plate issuing official within 20 days of acquisition, paying the 2% sales tax.
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Prefer a print-and-sign version? Our guide lists the fields a printed bill of sale commonly needs for DMV paperwork — with download-ready blank templates for all vehicle types. Read: Free Printable Bill of Sale Templates →
Alabama Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
2%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Alabama Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Print or type your bill of sale — include VIN, year, make, model, sale price, odometer reading, sale date, and full legal names and addresses of both buyer and seller.
- Both buyer and seller sign the bill of sale at the time of exchange — no notarization or witness is required.
- Seller signs the back of the title over to the buyer, completing the 'Transfer of Ownership' section.
- Make two copies of the signed bill of sale — one for the seller's records, one for the buyer.
- Buyer takes the signed title plus the original bill of sale (as proof of the price) to the county license plate office within 20 days.
- Buyer pays the 2% sales tax (calculated on the documented purchase price, or the state's standard value if accepted) at the county license plate office and receives a new title in their name.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 20-day deadline at the county license plate office can result in penalties and registration complications — don't wait.
- Leaving the odometer disclosure section blank on the title is a common mistake; federal law requires it for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer.
- Sellers who fail to keep a copy of the bill of sale have no proof of sale if the buyer incurs tickets or tolls before transferring the title.
- The MVT 5-1 form is Alabama's title application, not a bill of sale — confusing the two can cause delays at the county license plate office.
- Writing 'gift' on the bill of sale when money was actually exchanged is considered tax fraud; always record the true sale price.
Alabama Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Alabama require a notarized bill of sale?
No. Alabama does not require the bill of sale itself to be notarized for a private vehicle sale. Signature from each side at the sale completes it.
What's the standard print-and-sign count?
Two copies are sufficient — one for the seller's records and one for the buyer, who can use it at the county license plate office as proof of the price. The signed title and the title application (MVT 5-1) carry the transfer itself.
What tax will the buyer owe at the county license plate office?
Alabama charges a 2% sales tax on the vehicle's documented purchase price (or on the Department of Revenue standard value, if the buyer accepts it), paid at the time of title transfer at the county license plate office. Some counties may also charge local fees.
Can I handwrite the bill of sale instead of printing it?
Yes. A clearly handwritten bill of sale can carry the same details as a printed one: VIN, sale price, date, vehicle description, and signatures of both parties.