Code of Alabama

Ala. Code § 32-8-44 (2026)

Transfer of Ownership - Generally.

✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
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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 department prescribes, and cause the certificate and assignment to be mailed or delivered to the transferee or to the department.

(b) Except as provided in this section, the transferee shall, promptly after delivery to him of the vehicle, execute the application for a new certificate of title in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the department prescribes, and cause the certificate and application to be mailed or delivered to a designated agent.

(c) Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his security agreement, deliver the certificate to the transferee. Upon receipt of the certificate the transferee shall make application to a designated agent for a new certificate. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the lienholder under his security agreement.

(d) If a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title shall be retained by or delivered to the person who becomes the lienholder and the parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 32-8-62.

(e) Except as provided in Section 32-8-45, and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section have been complied with.

(Acts 1973, No. 765, p. 1147, §13.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1987–2024 · leading case: Green Tree — Al LLC v. Dominion Resources, L.L.C., 104 So. 3d 177 (Ala. Civ. App. 2011).
Green Tree — Al LLC v. Dominion Resources, L.L.C., 104 So. 3d 177 (Ala. Civ. App. 2011). · cites it 3× “The exclusion of manufactured homes, which are titled personal property, from the definition of “real property” is supported also by the fact that a transfer of a manufactured home is typically achieved through a transfer of the certificate of title, see § 32-20-30; former §…”
In re Jones, 544 B.R. 692 (Bankr. M.D. Ala. 2016). “CODE § 32-8-44. Unlike the perfection of security interests, however, AUCTAA does not provide the exclusive method of transferring ownership.”
Turner v. DeKalb Bank (In Re Turner), 209 B.R. 558 (Bankr. N.D. Ala. 1997). · cites it 2× “See Ala.Code § 32-8-44 (1975). Article 9 of the U.”
Ranger Ins. Co. v. Whitlow, 514 So. 2d 1338 (Ala. 1987). · cites it 3× “We recognize that § 32-8-44(e) provides: “Except as provided in section 32-8-45, and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section have been complied with.”
Landmark Chevrolet, Inc. v. Cent. Bank of South, 611 So. 2d 1043 (Ala. 1992). “” Section 32-8-44 generally defines the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle, and, specifically, subsection (c) provides: “Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his security…”
Michael Johnson, in his Off. capacity as the Marshall Cnty. Revenue Comm'r v. Four-C Volunteer Fire Dep't & Georgia Mountain Volunteer Fire Dep't (Appeal from Marshall Circuit Court: CV-21-900188). (Ala. 2024). “Code 1975, § 32-20-30(a); former § 32-8-44(a). "…. "A manufactured home owned by one person but placed on the land of another is subject to the registration requirements of Ala.”
— Ala. Code § 32-8-44(a) — 2 cases
Green Tree — Al LLC v. Dominion Resources, L.L.C., 104 So. 3d 177 (Ala. Civ. App. 2011). “The exclusion of manufactured homes, which are titled personal property, from the definition of “real property” is supported also by the fact that a transfer of a manufactured home is typically achieved through a transfer of the certificate of title, see § 32-20-30; former §…”
Michael Johnson, in his Off. capacity as the Marshall Cnty. Revenue Comm'r v. Four-C Volunteer Fire Dep't & Georgia Mountain Volunteer Fire Dep't (Appeal from Marshall Circuit Court: CV-21-900188). (Ala. 2024). “Code 1975, § 32-20-30(a); former § 32-8-44(a). "…. "A manufactured home owned by one person but placed on the land of another is subject to the registration requirements of Ala.”
— Ala. Code § 32-8-44(e) — 1 case
Ranger Ins. Co. v. Whitlow, 514 So. 2d 1338 (Ala. 1987). “We recognize that § 32-8-44(e) provides: “Except as provided in section 32-8-45, and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section have been complied with.”
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