Surety Bonded Titles – Purchased a vehicle without a title, and can’t find the seller or they will not give you the title? Surety Bonded Titles is a requirement outlined by the State of Alabama to obtain a valid vehicle title. Surety Bonds is a three-party agreement that legally binds together a principal (you) who needs the bond, the licensing authority (the obligee), (The State) who requires the bond and a surety company (Insurance Company) that is backing the bond. The bond guarantees the principal will act in accordance with certain laws. If the principal fails to perform in this manner, the bond will cover resulting damages or losses.

When You Need an Alabama Bonded Title
     • You bought a car and never received a title
     • You bought a car and only received a bill of sale
     • You bought a car and received an improperly assigned title
     • You bought a car, received the original title, then lost it before transferring it into your name*

What risks are there for me?
Claims on bonded titles are pretty rare, because before a bonded title is issued there is typically some investigation made into the background of the vehicle done by the DMV. However, claims do happen.

Abandoned Vehicles – Purchased an Abandoned Vehicle from an individual or business who is not a Designated Agent,  you will need to apply for a Surety Bond using the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Bill of sale. We can help!

Bonded titles are equal to a regular Alabama title. Since the title was not present when the vehicle was sold, getting a bonded title is the correct procedure in obtaining an Alabama Title. The standardized amount of the surety bonds shall be as follows:

1. Trailers:
a. Less than five (5) model years old – $25,000
b. Five (5) model years old but less than ten (10) model years old – $10,000
c. Ten (10) or more model years old – $5,000

2. Passenger vehicles and pickup trucks:
a. Less than five (5) model years old – $50,000
b. Five (5) model years old but less than ten (10) model years old – $25,000
c. Ten (10) or more model years old – $10,000

3. Trucks, buses and recreational vehicles:
a. Less than five (5) model years old – $100,000
b. Five (5) model years old but less than ten (10) model years old – $50,000
c. Ten (10) or more model years old – $25,000

4. Motorcycles:
a. Less than five (5) model years old – $25,000
b. Five (5) model years old but less than ten (10) model years old – $10,000
c. Ten (10) or more model years old – $5,000

Bill of Sale Requirements: Must have Buyer and Seller’s Name Printed on the document and both parties must sign. The Year, Make, Model & VIN must also be clearly typed or printed on the Bill of Sale. Download a Blank Bill of Sale.