Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama Car Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a car in Montgomery, Alabama. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Montgomery, AlabamaCarPopulation rank #126

A Montgomery, Alabama car bill of sale is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership between a private buyer and seller in Montgomery. As of 2026, Alabama requires both parties to sign the bill of sale, and the buyer must present it at the AL DMV to complete title transfer.

How to Complete a Car Bill of Sale in Montgomery

Verify the car VIN and run a history check
Complete all fields on the bill of sale — buyer name, seller name, sale price, date, and vehicle description
Both parties sign the bill of sale and retain a copy
Seller signs the back of the title, transferring ownership to the buyer
Buyer brings the signed title and bill of sale to the Montgomery County License Office to complete title transfer

What to include

Buyer and seller names and addresses
Car VIN and vehicle details
Sale price and date
Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Montgomery County

DMV / Title Office

Montgomery County License Office

Address

100 S Lawrence St, Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone

(334) 832-1335

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$18.00

Sales Tax Rate

10.00%

Base Registration Fee

$23.00

Alabama state rate 2% (vehicles) + Montgomery County 2.5% + Montgomery city 5.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Alabama does not require notarization. Both parties sign the title to complete the transfer.

Montgomery Transfer Checklist

Title transfer at the Montgomery County License Office within 20 days
Buyer pays state and local sales taxes at time of title transfer
Odometer disclosure required on the title for vehicles under 10 years old
Both parties should keep a copy of the bill of sale

County Information — Montgomery County

County Clerk / Recorder

Montgomery County Probate Judge Office

Phone

(334) 832-1230

Website

https://www.mc-ala.org

Car market data and safety information

The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used car

Before completing a car bill of sale in Alabama, verify these safety items:

Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
Verify ABS warning light cycles off after ignition self-test
Confirm child-seat LATCH anchor accessibility and integrity
Test headlight aim and high-beam function on both low and high settings
Inspect windshield for cracks in the driver sight line that could fail state inspection

Car insurance and depreciation in Alabama

Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.

Car registration and titling

Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.

Alabama bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,243 bill of sale documents for Alabama transactions, with 34 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

5 Things to Check Before Buying a Car in Montgomery

Run a VIN history report — accidents, odometer rollback, salvage title
Confirm the title is in the seller's name and matches the VIN on the vehicle
Check for any active liens — call the lender or run a lien search with the Alabama DMV
Meet at a safe, public location and bring a friend or mechanic
Never hand over cash until the title is properly signed and the bill of sale is complete

Frequently asked questions

What county is Montgomery in, and which office handles title transfers?

Montgomery is in Montgomery County. Title transfers are handled by the Montgomery County License Office at 100 S Lawrence St, Montgomery, AL 36104. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (334) 832-1335.

What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in Montgomery?

The combined rate is 10.00%. Alabama state rate 2% (vehicles) + Montgomery County 2.5% + Montgomery city 5.5%.

Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Montgomery?

No. Alabama does not require notarization. Both parties sign the title to complete the transfer.

What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Montgomery?

Title transfer fee: $18.00. Base registration fee: $23.00. Sales tax at 10.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.

How long do I have to transfer a car title in Montgomery?

Alabama requires the buyer to transfer the title within 30 days of the sale date. Late transfers may incur penalty fees at the DMV. Bring your signed bill of sale and the assigned title to the Montgomery County License Office.

Can I sell a car without a title in Montgomery?

In most cases, no. Alabama requires a clean title to complete a private vehicle sale. If the title is lost, the seller must apply for a duplicate title before selling. The bill of sale alone does not transfer legal ownership.

What documents do I need to buy a car in Montgomery?

You will need: (1) the signed title from the seller, (2) a completed bill of sale, (3) a valid government ID, and (4) payment for the title transfer fee ($18.00) and sales tax (10.00%). Bring all documents to the Montgomery County License Office.

Is a bill of sale legally binding in Montgomery?

Yes. A properly signed bill of sale is a legally binding document that protects both the buyer and seller. It records the agreed-upon sale price, date, and vehicle details. Sellers should keep a copy to prove they are no longer liable for the vehicle after the sale date.