Replacing Car Registration in Alabama

Replacing a damaged or lost car registration in Alabama is important, as state law requires you to keep your vehicle’s registration receipt on you whenever you drive on public roads and highways. If you do not replace a damaged or lost vehicle registration receipt, you may receive a fine if a law enforcement officer pulls you over. Therefore, it is important to purchase a replacement credential if your original registration receipt disappears from your vehicle or becomes unreadable at any time.

You will also need to request duplicate registration decals and license plates if these materials become damaged or lost, since driving without valid tags and registration stickers is unlawful in the state. To learn more about these requirements and to discover the steps you must take to replace your registration credentials, review the information below.

About Obtaining Alabama Auto Registration Replacement Credentials

To replace car registration materials after they become damaged, lost or stolen, you must submit a request directly to the license plate issuing office in the county where your motor vehicle is registered. To do so, you must complete the proper replacement application.

When completing the ADOR’s replacement car registration application, you must provide information about the vehicle’s registered owner, identification number (VIN) and license plate number. You must also provide a reason for the request.

After completing this application, you must submit it in person or by mail. Learn more about these application methods in our free car registration guide.

In Person

If you wish to replace your receipt in person, you must visit a local license plate issuing office in the county where your vehicle is registered. During your office visit, you must submit your application and payment for the replacement fee.

Keep in mind that if your registration is about to expire, you may be better off simply requesting a vehicle registration renewal rather than ordering a duplicate.

By Mail

If you prefer to replace a damaged or lost registration receipt by mail, you must send your completed application and payment for the replacement fee to your county’s license plate issuing office. If you have any questions about your application, contact your county’s license plate issuing office before mailing in your request.

Can you print your car registration online in Alabama?

In some states, you can print a duplicate car registration receipt online after logging into your personal DMV account. However, this option is not available in Alabama. Instead, you must purchase a replacement credential in person or by mail.

How to Obtain Duplicate Alabama Registration Plates and Decals

To obtain a copy of registration decals and license plates once these items are damaged or become unreadable, you will also need to complete an official Application for Replacement Credentials. However, you will need to visit your county’s license plate issuing office to submit your request and surrender your damaged or mutilated registration credentials, if these items are available. During your visit, you must also pay a fee to purchase replacement plates and/or registration decals.

If you cannot surrender lost credentials to your county’s license plate issuing office during the time when you apply for a replacement, you must immediately surrender your registration materials to that same office if you do recover them in the future.

To purchase a DMV copy of registration decals and/or tags after these credentials are stolen from you, it is also important for you to file a police report with your local law enforcement agency, as this helps to protect you from fraud.

Download our free registration guide for helpful information on replacing car registration in Alabama and more.