Overview
Miss the 20-day window and Alabama doesn't scale the penalty by how late you are the way some states do - it's a flat $15 late-registration penalty, plus interest that keeps accruing on whatever tax and fees remain unpaid. The sales tax due at the same visit (2% state + your local rate) isn't waived by being late; it's just billed alongside the penalty. Use the calculator below for your total.
01 - Official fees
Alabama title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $15.00 | |
| Designated agent commission (some counties) | $1.50 | |
| Late-registration penalty | $15.00 flat | plus accruing interest |
| Sales tax due at the same visit | 2% state + local | not waived by lateness |
| Title age requirement | ≤ 35 model years | travel trailers: ≤ 20 model years |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county probate judge or license commissioner's office (on behalf of ALDOR) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Alabama
- 1
Get the title properly signed over by the seller, with odometer disclosure where required.
- 2
Get Alabama liability insurance on the vehicle in your name.
- 3
Bring the title, bill of sale, and ID to your county probate office or license commissioner within 20 calendar days.
- 4
Pay the $15 title fee, any designated-agent commission, and the sales tax and registration due at the same visit.
- 5
Receive your title (by mail from ALDOR in most counties) and your plate/decal the same day.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Alabama vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Alabama title transfer FAQ
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Alabama?
The title application itself is a flat $15 - cheap compared to many states. But budget for the full visit: 2% state sales tax plus your local rate on the purchase, plus $23 registration and ad valorem tax, all collected together at your county probate office.
What exactly is the deadline, and what counts as 'late'?
20 calendar days from the date of purchase or from the date you bring a newly-acquired vehicle into Alabama (new residents get 30 days). Miss it and you owe a flat $15 late-registration penalty plus interest that accrues on the unpaid balance - there's no escalating monthly penalty ladder.
Do all vehicles need a title in Alabama?
No - only vehicles designated 35 model years old or newer. Travel trailers follow a shorter 20-model-year cutoff. Vehicles older than that threshold are exempt from Alabama's titling requirement, though registration and ad valorem still apply.
What's the $1.50 'designated agent' charge some counties add?
A handful of Alabama counties process titles through an independent designated agent rather than the probate office directly. That agent can add a $1.50 commission on top of the $15 state fee - it's not universal, so ask before you assume it applies to you.
Can I transfer an Alabama title online?
Generally no - title transfers require the physical signed title and in-person processing at your county probate office or license commissioner, since the office verifies the document and calculates tax, registration, and ad valorem together in one visit.
What if I'm gifting the car instead of selling it?
The same $15 title fee and 20-day deadline apply. The difference is only in the sales tax: gifts to immediate family are exempt if properly documented, while the title fee itself is unaffected either way.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.