Title 32 — Title 32
0 chapters · 937 sections in this title.
Ala. Code § 32-8-1 Short Title
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This chapter may be cited as the Alabama Uniform Certificate of Title and Antitheft Act. History: (Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 1147, §49.)
Ala. Code § 32-8-10 Enforcement of Chapter
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The department is charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and it is hereby authorized and empowered to call upon any and all law enforcement agencies and officers of this state for such assistance as it may deem necessary in order to assure such enforcement…
Ala. Code § 32-8-11 Aiding, Abetting, Etc., in Violations
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A person who, whether present or absent, aids, abets, induces, procures, or causes the commission of an act which if done directly by him, would be a felony or a misdemeanor under a provision of this chapter, is guilty of the same felony or misdemeanor. History: (Acts 1973, No. 7…
Ala. Code § 32-8-12 Offenses Constituting Felonies
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A person is guilty of a Class C felony who, with fraudulent intent: (1) Alters, forges, or counterfeits a certificate of title; (2) Alters or forges an assignment of a certificate of title, or an assignment or release of a security interest, on a certificate of title or a form th…
Ala. Code § 32-8-13 Offenses Constituting Misdemeanors
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A person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor who: (1) With fraudulent intent, permits another, not entitled thereto, to use or have possession of a certificate of title; (2) Willfully fails to mail or deliver a certificate of title or application therefor to the department within …
Ala. Code § 32-8-14 Penalties
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Repealed by Act 2009-281, p. 472, §3, effective July 1, 2009. History: (Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 1147, §46.)
Ala. Code § 32-8-2 Definitions
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For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: (1) CURRENT ADDRESS. A new address different from the address shown on the application or on the certificate of title. The owner, with…
Ala. Code § 32-8-3 Powers and Duties of Department
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(a) The department shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests, and all other notices and forms necessary to carry out this chapter. (b) The department may do any of the following: (1) Make necessary investigati…
Ala. Code § 32-8-30 Certificate Required for Certain Motor Vehicles; Penalty; Rulemaking Authority
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(a)(1) Except as provided in Section 32-8-31, every owner of a motor vehicle which is in this state and which is required to be registered under the motor vehicle laws of this state and for which no certificate of title has been issued by the department, shall make application to…
Ala. Code § 32-8-31 Exemptions
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No certificate of title shall be issued under this chapter for any of the following: (1) A vehicle owned by the United States or any agency thereof. (2) A vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purpos…
Ala. Code § 32-8-32 Prerequisite to Issuance of License Plates
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(a) No motor vehicle license (or license plate) shall be issued and no motor vehicle license (or license plate) shall be transferred for use on a motor vehicle required to be titled under this chapter except on presentation by the owner to the license plate issuing official, the …
Ala. Code § 32-8-33 Prerequisite to Assessment for Ad Valorem Taxes
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No motor vehicle required to be titled under the provisions of this chapter shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes by a tax assessor, director of revenue, or other county official authorized and required by law to assess motor vehicles for ad valorem taxes unless the application …
Ala. Code § 32-8-34 Designated Agents of Department; Bond of Title Service Providers
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(a) Each judge of probate, commissioner of licenses, director of revenue, or other county official in this state authorized and required by law to issue motor vehicle license plates shall by virtue of his or her office be a designated agent of the department. Judges of probate, c…
Ala. Code § 32-8-35 Application for First Certificate
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(a) The application for the first certificate of title of a vehicle in this state shall be made by the owner to a designated agent, on the form the department prescribes, and shall contain all of the following: (1) The current legal name, current residence, and current mailing ad…
Ala. Code § 32-8-36 Application for Certificate with Bond or Cash
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If the department is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the department may accept the application but shall either: (1) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reas…
Ala. Code § 32-8-37 Check of Vehicle Identification Number Against List of Stolen Vehicles; Issuance of Certificate; Records
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(a) The department upon receiving an application for certificate of title shall check the vehicle identification number shown in the application against the record of stolen or converted vehicles maintained by it. (b) The department shall examine each application received and, wh…
Ala. Code § 32-8-38 Use of Duplicate Copy of Application as Permit to Operate Motor Vehicle; Return of Duplicate and Tags Upon Refusal
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to Issue Certificate. (a) The rules and regulations promulgated by the department shall make suitable provisions for the use by an applicant of the duplicate copy of his or her application for a certificate of title to serve as a permit for the operation of the motor vehicle desc…
Ala. Code § 32-8-39 Contents and Effect of Certificate
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(a) Each certificate of title issued by the department shall contain: (1) The date issued; (2) The current legal name and current address of the owner; (3) The names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of priority as shown on the application, or if the application is ba…
Ala. Code § 32-8-40 Distinctive Certificates for Certain Vehicles
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If the department is not satisfied that there are no undisclosed security interests created before this chapter takes effect in a previously registered vehicle, the department may, in addition to the department’s options under Section 32-8-36, issue a distinctive certificate of t…
Ala. Code § 32-8-41 Delivery of Certificate
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The certificate of title shall be mailed to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. If the certificate of title is issued electronically, the designated agent that processed the application, at the time of issuance, shall provide the owner with a printed copy …
Ala. Code § 32-8-42 Refusing Certificate
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The department shall refuse issuance of certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if the department has reasonable grounds to believe that one of the following exists: (1) The applicant is not the owner of the vehicle. (2) The application contains a false or fraudul…
Ala. Code § 32-8-43 Certificates Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, Etc
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(a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the department, shall promptly make application for a…
Ala. Code § 32-8-44 Transfer of Ownership - Generally
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(a) If an owner transfers his interest in a vehicle, other than by the creation of a security interest, he shall, at the time of the delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the …
Ala. Code § 32-8-45 Transfer of Ownership - to or from Dealer; Records
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(a) If a dealer buys a vehicle and holds it for resale and procures the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder within 15 days after delivery to him of the vehicle, he need not send the certificate to the department but, upon transferring the vehicle to another pers…
Ala. Code § 32-8-46 Transfer of Ownership - by Operation of Law
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(a)(1) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as hereinafter provided in subsection (b), promptly mail or deliver to a designated agent the last certificate of title, if available, and proof of the…
Ala. Code § 32-8-47 Transfer of Ownership - When Department to Issue New Certificate
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(a) The department, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by the department, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and…
Ala. Code § 32-8-49 Suspension or Revocation of Certificates
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(a) The department shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title, subject to the appeal provisions of Chapter 2A of Title 40, when authorized by any other provision of law or if it finds: (1) The certificate of title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued; or (2) The ve…
Ala. Code § 32-8-6 Transaction Fees; Commissions; Disposition of Funds; Disclosure of Information
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(a) There shall be paid to the department for issuing and processing documents required by this chapter a fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for each of the following transactions: (1) Each application for certificate of title; (2) Each application for replacement or corrected certific…
Ala. Code § 32-8-60 Excepted Liens and Security Interests
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This chapter does not apply to or affect any of the following: (1) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the vehicle. (2) A lien given by statute to the United States, this state, or any political subdivision of this state. (3) A securi…
Ala. Code § 32-8-60.1 Security Interest Not Created Where Rental Price May Be Adjusted by Reference to Amount Realized Upon Sale
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In the case of motor vehicles as defined in Section 32-8-2(10), notwithstanding any other provision of law, a transaction does not create a sale or security interest merely because the transaction provides that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjusted under the ag…
Ala. Code § 32-8-61 Perfection of Security Interests
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(a) Unless excepted by this section, a security interest in a vehicle for which a certificate of title is required by the terms of this chapter is not valid against creditors of the owner or subsequent transferees or lienholders of the vehicle unless perfected as provided in this…
Ala. Code § 32-8-62 Procedure When Owner Creates Security Interest
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If an owner creates a security interest in a vehicle: (1) The owner shall immediately execute the application in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title, or on a separate form the department prescribes to name the lienholder on the certificate showing the name and…
Ala. Code § 32-8-63 Assignment by Lienholder
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(a) A lienholder may assign, absolutely or otherwise, his security interest in the vehicle to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealin…
Ala. Code § 32-8-64 Release of Security Interest
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(a) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, he or she shall, within 10 days after demand, execute a release of his or her security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certific…
Ala. Code § 32-8-64.1 Satisfaction of Security Interest After 12 Years
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Except for liens and security interests listed on certificates of title for manufactured homes, travel trailers, or vehicles that weigh more than 12,000 pounds gross weight, which shall be satisfied only in conformity with Section 32-8-64, any lien or security interest shall be c…
Ala. Code § 32-8-64.2 Release of Certain Liens
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(a) Except for liens and security interests listed on certificates of title for travel trailers or vehicles that weigh more than 12,000 pounds gross weight, which shall be satisfied only in conformity with Section 32-8-64, any lien or security interest shall be considered satisfi…
Ala. Code § 32-8-65 Duty of Lienholder to Disclose Information
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A lienholder named in a certificate of title shall, upon written request of the owner or of another lienholder named on the certificate, disclose any pertinent information as to his or her security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it. History: (Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 114…
Ala. Code § 32-8-66 Exclusiveness of Procedure
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The method provided in this article of perfecting and giving notice of security interest in motor vehicles required to be titled under the terms of this chapter or titled under the terms hereof, shall be exclusive. Security interests in motor vehicles required to be titled or whi…
Ala. Code § 32-8-67 Filing and Recording of Notices of Security Interests; Examination of Record
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(a) The department shall file each notice of security interest received by the department with the required fee and maintain a record of all notices of security interests filed by the department: (1) Alphabetically, under the name of the owner; (2) Under the vehicle identificatio…
Ala. Code § 32-8-68 Recording and Releasing Security Interests by Electronic Means
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Notwithstanding any requirement in this chapter that a lien on a motor vehicle shall be noted on the face of the certificate of title, if there is one lien or more liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle, the department may electronically transmit the lien to the first lienhol…
Ala. Code § 32-8-7 Additional Commission Fee; Collection of Commissions
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(a) The judge of probate or other county official who is authorized and required by law to issue license plates and who is required to process applications for certificate of title by this chapter may collect and retain a one dollar and fifty cent ($1.50) commission fee for each …
Ala. Code § 32-8-8 Right of Inspection for Violations
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(a) Any sheriff, deputy sheriff, policeman of an incorporated municipality or duly authorized representative of the Department of Public Safety or Department of Revenue of this state may enter into the premises of any automobile salvage dealer, junkyard, automobile, or other moto…
Ala. Code § 32-8-80 Exceptions from Provisions of Article
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This article does not apply to the following unless a title certificate has been issued on such vehicles under this chapter: (1) A vehicle moved solely by animal power; (2) An implement of husbandry; (3) Special mobile equipment; and (4) A self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tri…
Ala. Code § 32-8-81 Unauthorized Use of Vehicles
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A person not entitled to possession of a vehicle who, without the consent of the owner and with intent to deprive him or her, temporarily or otherwise, of the vehicle or its possession, takes, uses, or drives the vehicle is guilty of a felony. History: (Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 114…
Ala. Code § 32-8-82 Unauthorized Receiving or Disposing of Vehicles
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A person not entitled to the possession of a vehicle who receives, possesses, conceals, sells, or disposes of it, knowing it to be stolen or converted under circumstances constituting a crime, is guilty of a felony. History: (Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 1147, §36.)
Ala. Code § 32-8-83 Unauthorized Damaging or Tampering with Vehicles
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(a) A person who, willfully and without right to do so, damages a vehicle or damages or removes any of its parts or components is guilty of a misdemeanor. (b) A person who, without right to do so and with intent to commit a crime, tampers with a vehicle, or goes in or on it, or w…
Ala. Code § 32-8-84 Unclaimed Motor Vehicles; Suspension of Registration of Stolen or Converted Vehicles. (Amended by Act 2026-263)
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[Effective until October 1, 2026.] AMENDED BY ACT 2026-263, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE. (a) The following shall be considered an unclaimed motor vehicle: (1) A motor vehicle left unattended on a public road or highway for more than 48 hours. (2) A mot…
Ala. Code § 32-8-85 False Report of Theft or Conversion
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A person who knowingly makes a false report of the theft or conversion of a vehicle to a peace officer or to the department is guilty of a misdemeanor. History: (Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 1147, §39.)
Ala. Code § 32-8-86 Removed, Falsified or Unauthorized Identification Number, Registration or License Plate; Seizure of Vehicle, Part,
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Etc., When Number Altered, Etc.; Disposition of Forfeited Property. (a) A person who willfully removes or falsifies an identification number of a vehicle, engine, transmission or other identifiable component part of a vehicle is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be punish…
Ala. Code § 32-8-87 Dismantling, Destroying, Changing Identity of Vehicle; Certificate Requirements; Insurance Claims; “Total Loss”;
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Removal of Identification Numbers, Plates, Etc.; Transfer of Salvage Vehicles; Inspections; “Component Parts”; Rebuilt Vehicles; Flood Vehicles; Online Verifications. (a)(1) Each owner of a motor vehicle and each person mentioned as owner in the last certificate of title who scra…