No title in Alabama? How to sell out of state?

[66gtk]

I'm trying to purchase a car from a fellow in Alabama. His dad purchased the car 2 years ago in MO, and was told in Alabama he doesn't need/get a title. Dad has no passed on and son has car without an Alabama title. Still has MO title, but it was signed from "owner A" to dealer to father and still has "owner A" printed on the front. This won't work for me in MN (:

Those who have sold older cars out of Alabama: How did you accomplish this without a CLEAR paper title document?

[Tommy]

Alabama law does not require cars more than 35 years old to have a title in order to be registered and driven in Alabama. That doesn't mean you can't get a title on older cars. I believe (not 100% certain) that the Alabama seller needs to get the Alabama title issued in his name so he can sell it to you. That may mean he will have to show how ownership passed to his father (old out of state title) and then to him (probate papers). This could take a while.

[RestoCreations]

What year is the car titled as? If his father registered the car in Alabama (registered as an antique) and the son inherited the car, all you need is notarized bill of sale.

[vref120]

Just went through the same thing on a 77 Jeep I bought I Georgia with no title. They are a no title state as well. Had a notorized bill of sale, but took about 4 months to go through the courts to get a title for it so I could finally get it on the road in Oklahoma. It's a long process, but it can be done.

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by RestoCreations

What year is the car titled as? If his father registered the car in Alabama (registered as an antique) and the son inherited the car, all you need is notarized bill of sale.

That may work if the car stays in AL, but not if it goes out of state to a title state like mine (MN).

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by vref120

Just went through the same thing on a 77 Jeep I bought I Georgia with no title. They are a no title state as well. Had a notorized bill of sale, but took about 4 months to go through the courts to get a title for it so I could finally get it on the road in Oklahoma. It's a long process, but it can be done.

Yikes - I can see this happening and then also having to have a BONDED title at the end and paying even more and more money.....and time....

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

I'm trying to purchase a car from a fellow in Alabama. His dad purchased the car 2 years ago in MO, and was told in Alabama he doesn't need/get a title. Dad has no passed on and son has car without an Alabama title. Still has MO title, but it was signed from "owner A" to dealer to father and still has "owner A" printed on the front. This won't work for me in MN (:

Those who have sold older cars out of Alabama: How did you accomplish this without a CLEAR paper title document?

For cars older than 25 years old, yes, Alabama is a no title state.

Click HERE for the rules/regulations

In order to sell the car, you'll need the following:

MV039 (notarized)

MT5_6 form (notarized)

You may also need

MVT5_13 form (notarized)


Legal disclaimer: Being an estate sale, there may be more to the sale of the vehicle than what is stated above. There may also be an issue with registrations and such as Alabama "Bill of Sale" paperwork is not always accepted by other state DMV's when it comes to kit cars due to the "Titles Unlimited" fiasco and associated state lawsuits of such from years ago.


Bill S.

[jhv48]

If it were me, I would ask the current owner to title it in his name and then you buy it from him. Maybe even pay him a little more for his trouble. Clean and easy. He may not go for it due to the hassle to him, but it sounds like you're in for a much bigger hassle if you buy it and try to title it in your State. And once you pay him for it, it's your problem, not his.
The DMV in California would laugh you out of the office if you took that paperwork to them.
Good luck.

[66gtk]

Thanks guys. I totally agree that this needs to be taken care of by the current owner PRIOR to selling it. Way to much risk/hassle for me. These are expensive cars/mistakes! It's not like we are talking about a $2500 old pile of crap for a parts car. Sellers need to recognize this and do their due diligence prior to offering a car for sale exceeding the median annual income of most Americans.

[66gtk]

Bill,

You delivered another one of your extremely helpful posts to me. Thank you!!! I thank the others who have helped with information on this post as well. I'm glad that each state has the ability to do what they want in these regards and I'm willing to deal with the inconsistencies in order to keep this out of the hands of the FEDS.

Troy

[RestoCreations]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

That may work if the car stays in AL, but not if it goes out of state to a title state like mine (MN).

Again, it depends on what year the car was initially registered as. I know some people register their replicas as 1965, which is precisely what I did with the Ironman Kirkham since i was given the option. Since it was registered as an antique vehicle, all I had to provide Mecum with when i sold it was the signed registration slip and a notarized Bill of Sale. This would also work for you or anybody in a title state as long as the car is registered as an antique in Alabama. NOW, if the car is actually not an antique and is or should be titled in Alabama, then obviously the owner will need to provide you with the title. Same goes for residents of Alabama that buy an Antique vehicle from states that title antique cars...i must provide the DMV with the title before they will register the car. Well, actually this depends on the person working at the counter, but by law, they are supposed to require it.