Alabama Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Alabama costs $15 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $342.25 in total, with $300 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Alabama title fees
These are the title-related fees in Alabama's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Lien notice | $15 |
| Plate | $23 |
| Plate issuance | $1.25 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Alabama
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Alabama car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $300 |
| Licensing official fee (if you register it now) | $3 |
| License plate + issuance (if you register it now) | $24.25 |
| Estimated total | $342.25 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Alabama charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plate $23; plate issuance $1.25.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Genuine gift | Tax $0; title and tag still due |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance with no sale | Tax $0; title and tag still due |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Alabama
| Manufacturer rebate | Does not reduce the taxable base |
|---|---|
| Dealer doc fee | Taxable at the 2% automotive rate |
| Private-party purchase | No trade-in reduction |
| Assumed loan | Tax on outstanding principal |
| Tax paid to another U.S. state | Credit against Alabama tax |
How Alabama works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - trade-in (dealer only) + doc fee
- Tax = taxable base x (2% state + local rate)
- Title = $15 + $3 licensing official fee (+ $15 lien notice)
- Registration = plate + issuance fee + EV/PHEV/LSEV fee + county ad valorem
- Total = tax + title + registration + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Alabama: www.revenue.alabama.gov, revenue.alabama.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Alabama?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $342.25.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Alabama?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Alabama charges about $300. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Alabama?
Yes. Plate: $23; Plate issuance: $1.25.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Alabama?
Genuine gift: Tax $0; title and tag still due.
What happens to a car title after a death in Alabama?
Inheritance with no sale: Tax $0; title and tag still due.