When purchasing or leasing a new or used vehicle, the new owner must register the vehicle within twenty (20) days at the Commissioner of Licenses office. If the vehicle is acquired from a licensed Alabama dealer, then the dealer should apply for the Alabama certificate of title. It is the owner’s responsibility to register the vehicle in his/her home county within twenty (20) calendar days.
The minimum registration requirements are as follows:
Your Alabama motor vehicle license plate/decal must be renewed annually. Renewal reminders will be mailed to the last known address as a courtesy at the beginning of the scheduled renewal month.
The amount you pay to renew your tag is a combination of your ad valorem tax assessment and a license fee. Ad valorem taxes are determined by multiplying the state-assigned value of your vehicle by the assessment rate (based on the classification of the vehicle), then multiplying the assessed value by the millage rate determined by your address. All ad valorem taxes are collected at the time of registration.
Customers may renew their tags online here.
The following is the list of tags that the customer must come into the office to renew with the appropriate papers or ID’s:
To renew your registration you must show:
1. A previous tag receipt in your name or a renewal card, which has been mailed to you as a courtesy by the License Commissioner’s Office. Even if you do not receive a courtesy notice, it is your responsibility to renew your tag before the expiration date.
Note: Please notice the decal on your license plate. If the month on your plate has passed, your tag is expired. Example – if your plate shows August, the renewal must be made prior to September 1st. For more information, contact the Commissioner of License Office at 256-463-5655.
2. Each registered owner or co-owner should also bring their valid Alabama driver license or photocopy to comply with Act 2011-688 related to Mandatory Liability Insurance compliance.
3. Proof of Alabama insurance will be required in the form of evidence that includes the provider’s NAIC number, policy number, vehicle identification number (VIN) and current effective date, visible either physically or electronically.
Companies renewing fleet vehicles may use a “fleet insurance card”, however, this fleet coverage is not allowed on privately owned vehicles.
**Effective January 1 2020, the Rebuild Alabama Act went into effect. An additional $203 registration fee will apply for battery electric vehicles, and $103 will apply for each plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Minimum liability insurance is required on all self-propelled motor vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2013, license plate issuing officials will attempt to verify liability insurance utilizing the State of Alabama Online Insurance Verification System, which will allow license plate issuing officials to immediately verify the insurance status of a vehicle at any point in time.
If insurance cannot be verified through the system, vehicle owners must provide evidence of insurance to the license plate issuing official. To be acceptable, the proof of insurance must display the current effective date, insurer’s NAIC number, vehicle identification number, and policy number.
Proof of insurance is required at EACH registration and renewal.
Alabama Department of Revenue runs digital verification of VIN numbers monthly and sends correspondence to registrants for insurance verification, when verification is not automatic.
Failure to provide insurance: It is important for registrants to return all correspondence received from Alabama Department of Revenue as soon as possible to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Department of ADOR.
Effective January 1, 1998, the plate no longer goes with the vehicle. By statute of law, an owner who trades, sells, or disposes of a vehicle, he must remove the license plates from the previously owned vehicle. An owner may transfer the plate to a vehicle of the same classification already owned and not currently licensed, or to a vehicle of the same classification acquired later in the license year.
In the event an owner trades vehicles, the transfer of the plate is the transfer of registration only. The ad valorem tax is due on the newly acquired vehicle at the time the tag is transferred.
Ad valorem tax is a property tax based on the market value of property in Alabama on October 1. Ad valorem tax on vehicles is authorized under Section 40-12-253, Code of Alabama 1975. An ad valorem tax lien attaches to a vehicle when it is first brought into the state by a new resident, or when it is originally sold by a new vehicle dealer. Property tax is an ownership tax and not a usage tax. The tax lien accumulates whether the vehicle is operated on the highway or remains off the highway.
When an Alabama resident buys a vehicle with an outstanding property tax lien, then the buyer must:
1. Pay all property tax that has accrued on the purchased vehicle since it was last registered and any interest and penalties on taxes that are delinquent.
2. Transfer the buyer’s current plate to the replacement vehicle or purchase a new plate for the vehicle within twenty (20) calendar days of acquisition.
3. Inquire about a property tax credit voucher if a vehicle is sold or transferred prior to the owner’s renewal month.
You must keep a copy of your registration, either paper or digital, in your vehicle at all times. You may be asked to present this form to law enforcement officers at any time. Please note that your tag registration is not your vehicle title. We do not recommend that you keep your original title in your vehicle under any circumstances.
The State allows 30 days from the date that you move in to change your DL and vehicle registration.
Applying for an Alabama Driver License or Non-Driver Identification Card
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is extending the enforcement deadline for the REAL ID (called STAR ID in Alabama) to May 7, 2025, in response to COVID-19. However, STAR IDs will still be available for issuance after May 7, 2025, at an ALEA Examining Office.
In order to comply with the Federal REAL ID Act, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency developed the STAR ID program. STAR ID is a step beyond an ordinary Alabama driver’s license or non-driver identification card and it meets all the requirements of federal law.
Effective May 7, 2025, every air traveler, age 18 and over, will need a REAL ID compliant license/ID (STAR ID) or another form of identification for domestic air travel. (See TSA’s website for a full list of acceptable identification for domestic air travel.)
STAR IDs are issued originally to qualified individuals only at Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License exam offices. County operated license offices will continue to provide renewals/duplicates for license, ID cards, and STAR ID.
Once the provision of the REAL ID Act (STAR ID) goes into effect, individuals who do not have an unexpired U.S. passport will need an Alabama STAR ID to board commercial aircraft for domestic flights or to enter certain regulated federal facilities.
Any Alabama license or identification card issued on or after April 25, 2022, that is not compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005 (not a STAR ID), will display “Not for Federal Identification” across the top of the credential.
To apply for a new address, please submit the following application:
Property taxes are due each October 1st and are delinquent after December 31st of the same year. It is your responsibility as a property owner to make sure that your property tax is paid. All unpaid property tax is subject to penalty and interest after the December 31st deadline. Taxes are collected in arrears, with the tax year beginning October 01 and ending September 30.
Pay your property taxes online at Citizen Access Portal.
Property taxes are collected and distributed to many agencies within the State, County and Cities to provide support for many public services. Your property taxes help fund public schools, county health systems, the emergency medical service, The County Fire departments and to build and maintain our roads and bridges. Millage rate is the taxation rate determined by where a property is located. Millage rates are a percentage of the monies collected from property owners as tax. Below is a breakdown of State and County millage rates and their distribution:
State Agencies:
General Fund: 2.5 Mills
Soldier Fund: 1.0 Mills
School Fund: 3.0 Mills
County Agencies:
General Fund: 5.0 Mills
Road & Bridges: 2.5 Mills
Hospital: 4.0 Mills
Fire: 2.0 Mills
County Wide Schools: 9.0 Mills
School District (1 & 2): 8.0 Mills
City Agencies:
City of Heflin: 12.0 Mills
Town of Edwardsville: 6.0 Mills
Town of Fruithurst: 12.0 Mills
Town of Ranburne: 12.0 Mills
To estimate your taxes, you must first gather the following information:
Let’s get started. Your property’s assessed value is determined by its fair market value and its usage. If you own a single family residence occupied by you as the deed holder (NOT rented out), you qualify for Class III property to be taxed at 10% of its fair market value. If you own vacant land, or it is NOT exclusively owner-occupied, your property is Class II and will be taxed at a rate of 20% of the fair market value. Your assessed value is displayed on your property tax record located on this website.
To get your assessed value, take your market value and multiply it by the class tax rate that applies to your property (Class II – 20%, Class III 30%).
For an example, let’s use a Class II property that has a market value of $200,000. Since it is a Class II, I will need to multiply the market value by 20% (.20 in decimal form).
Step 1: Market Value x Class Tax Rate = Assessed Value
200,000 x .20 = 40,000
Next, we need to locate the millage rate. Millage rates are a percentage of the monies collected from property owners as tax. This tax is then distributed by the Cleburne County Revenue Commission to state and county agencies for needs and services. Each agency receives their portion of the millage which is set by the Cleburne County Commission. Because the needs and services of rural areas differ from those inside the city limits, millage rates also differ to meet the demands of both districts. Municipalities or areas within Cleburne County that provide police, fire protection or utilities, collect additional millage to compensate for these services.
(For a listing of the distribution of millage, see “Where does my tax money go?”)
Since millage is expressed as one thousandth of one dollar, it needs to be in that decimal form for calculation purposes. Move the decimal three places to the left (for the three zeros in 1000). For example: 37.0 would be .0370 for the calculation.
Step 2: Assessed Value x Millage Rate = Rough Estimate of Taxes
40,000 x .0370 = $1,480 estimated taxes
If you have any questions about your tax estimate or would like to confirm the estimated taxes for a property, please contact us at 256-463-2873.
Valuation Notices mailed to property owners give notice of fair market value. If you do not agree with the value assigned to your property, you may file a protest with the Cleburne County Board of Equalization in writing within 30 days of the deadline date printed on the letter.
After a formal protest is issued, an appraiser from this office will be assigned to carry out a field audit of the property and review the assessment for any mistakes. Once this has been completed, the appraiser will report all findings to the board.
Your fair market value may be adjusted according to the appraisers findings. You will receive notice of the adjusted fair market value by mail. If you agree with the adjustment, mark approved and return to the Board of Equalization. The new fair market value will be reflected on your next year’s tax notice.
If you DO NOT agree with the adjustment, you will respond by returning the notice marked disapproved. You will be notified by the Board of Equalization of the scheduled hearing date. On the date of the hearing you will appear before board members to give just cause as to why your property’s fair market value is incorrect. The board will then rule on the value. Your fair market value will be set to reflect the board’s findings.
If you are unsatisfied with the board’s decision, you may appeal to the Circuit Court.
In order to preserve your right to appeal through the Circuit Court, Alabama State Tax Law requires that all property tax must be paid by the December 31 deadline or a supersedeas bond doubling the outstanding tax amount will be filed.
For more information on appealing your fair market value, you may contact the office 256-463-2873.
The Alabama Manufactured Home Act (91-694), signed into law July 18,1991, changed the way manufactured homes are treated for tax and revenue purposes in Alabama. Under the Act those manufactured homes located on the owner’s property and not held for rental or lease can be carried on the real property tax rolls in the Revenue Commissioner’s office.
Proof of ownership, along with a description that includes size, year made, and model of manufactured home, and proof of sales tax paid for the home should be brought to the Revenue Commission to make an assessment. The listed owner name on the manufactured home must exactly match the owner name as listed on the deed to the real property.
The owner will receive a decal to display on the right front corner of the street-facing side of the home as proof that taxes are paid.
Once an owner has completed an assessment to add the manufactured home to the tax parcel, they may claim any applicable exemption.
For more detailed information, please contact us at 256-463-2873.
Manufactured homes are governed according to the Code of Alabama 1975, Title 40 Chapter 12, and Section 255.
Manufactured homes must be registered in the Revenue Commission office within 30 days of purchase or coming into the State of Alabama.
The following information is required to register a manufactured home:
If the Manufactured Home and land are titled in the same name, and will be occupied by owner as his/her home, the Manufactured Home will be assessed as real property and Homestead may apply. An Ad Valorem decal will be issued when the property taxes are paid each year. (October 1st thru December 31st).
If a Manufactured Home is placed on land not owned by the manufactured home owner, then it is registered in our Registration Program. The decal for this type registration is renewed from October 1st thru November 30th each year. Delinquent fees will apply December 1st.
Failure to register, renew or display decal will result in a citation with penalties.
Move Permits may be purchased from the Revenue Commission Office for $10. You are required by law to present a permit before registering your Manufactured Home in another County. Registration must be current for permit to be issued.
Property taxes that remain unpaid after January 1st each year will accrue additional late fees, interest, and administrative fees and eventually if remaining unpaid, will lead to the Annual Tax Lien Sale the first Tuesday in May each year. A tax lien shall be sold at auction. A lien includes all taxes, interest, penalties, fees, and costs due on the property as of the date of the auction. Bidding is not based on the amount of money the buyers of a tax lien are willing to pay. The amount required to purchase the tax lien is already set. Bids are based on the amount of interest the buyers are willing to accept as full payment on the lien. The lien is sold to the bidder bidding the lowest interest rate on the amount required to be paid to redeem the property from the auction. There will be a closed bid process with each bidder bidding their interest rate on a closed bid form and returning to the chief clerk. The lowest interest bid will determine the winner of the bid.
New property owners often rely on their title company, real estate agent or other representatives to properly record and assess their property. The final responsibility is still yours, as the new owner, to see that all the necessary steps have been completed. The steps are:
In adherence with the Cleburne County Commission Resolution #2332 (passed 09-1999) and in conjunction with AL State Code, Section 22-27-3(a)(2) it is mandatory for all permanent County residents (new and current) to obtain and maintain garbage service through the County’s contracted service. Please contact Waste Management at 1.800.607.9509 to establish new service and/or activate a suspended account, or if you are experiencing any service issues. The County Compliance office is located at 302 Haley Road, Heflin, AL 36264.
If you own a business in Cleburne County, you are required by law to claim equipment and or machinery used in your business. This requirement applies to all businesses owned by individuals as well as partnerships, and all types of corporations. This report is for the purpose of taxation, and the assets on the report are “Business Personal Property.” To begin an account, contact our office at 256-463-2873 and ask to speak to our Business Personal Property department.
To report your assets as Business Personal Property, a Personal Property Rendition Form must be completed and submitted through the online portal no later than December 31 of each year. The BPP department will send a letter to you with instructions on how to complete the online form, and other necessary information. If you have not received a letter from this office to complete and submit, please call our Business Personal Property Department at 256-463-2873
Cash, check, MO, Visa, Mastercard, Discover.
Cash, Credit Card/Debit Card, Check, Money Order are all acceptable forms of payment. You may pay online or in person.
Online at this link.
In Person:
Make Checks Payable to:
Joyce Robinson Fuller
120 Vickery Street Room 102
Heflin, AL 36264
or
Silver Drop Box at the front of the courthouse.
Recording Fee and other information can be downloaded here.
Typically, we record the same day unless the recording clerk is absent and the Chief Clerk is busy with Probate Court.
The Cleburne County Mountain Center is a rustic, state-of-the-art, public building a few miles northeast of Heflin, Alabama that has operated as a partnership between the Cleburne County Commission and Jacksonville State University for over a decade. Approximately 30 miles southeast of JSU’s main campus but in close proximity to the Talladega National Forest it has served a site for the JSU Field Schools. A large portion of the facility is available to the public and available to rent for meetings, corporate retreats, church services, weddings, and other special events.
A larger portion of the Mountain Center houses the Cleburne County Public Safety & Administration Center offering county offices such as finance, human resources, compliance, emergency management, and emergency 911 services.
Additionally, an initiative is underway at JSU to identify more opportunities to better collaborate with the community. For more information, please contact us by calling 256-782-8091 or by emailing mountaincenter@jsu.edu. In the meanwhile, you can review our rental rates below.
We hope that you’ll come visit!
Yes! The Cleburne County Mountain Center is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm and on the weekends for special events or building rentals.
Monday through Friday:
Weekend and Evening rates:
Jacksonville State University Field Schools, a project of JSU Environmental Policy and Information Center, now have three visitor and education centers: Little River Canyon Center near Fort Payne, Alabama, EPIC Center near Anniston, Alabama, and the Mountain Center near Heflin, Alabama.
The Cleburne County Mountain Center (a partnership between Jacksonville State University, the Cleburne County Commission and the Talladega National Forest) is located on Forte Drive near Southwire manufacturers just north of Heflin, Alabama.
Alabama Highway 78 east of Heflin to Mile Marker 178; take next left turn onto Forte Drive; travel 1/4 mile to Mountain Center on left.
The Mountain Center is open Monday – Friday from 8am – 4pm and on weekends for special events.
Mountain Center Business Phone: 256-463-3838
Mountain Center Rental Information: 256-782-8091
Email: mountaincenter@jsu.edu
From its deepest canyon to its highest mountains, Alabama has an abundance of beautiful natural areas. In the center of this educational corridor lies the Talladega National Forest. Encompassing over 200,000 acres, it is one of the largest national forests in the eastern United States and the home of Dugger Mountain Wilderness Area. To the west of the Talladega National Forest is Fort McClellan and the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge. Both federally protected and managed areas have enormous potential in terms of habitat conservation, eco-tourism and environmental education.
Because of this, JSU’s EPIC proposed the establishment of Talladega Mountains Natural Resource Center (aka “Mountain Center”) that would benefit both local and regional populations. The Mountain Center houses JSU Field School activities and acts as a visitor center to “the highest concentration of nationally protected natural areas” in the country. Also, a large portion of the center is the “Cleburne County Public Safety & Administration Center.” The Cleburne County portion of the building provides services such as finance, human resources, compliance, emergency management, and emergency 911 services.
The Mountain Center is a Jacksonville State University “off campus” site and is therefore available to all official JSU departments for meetings and events at no cost. It is available to the public and for rent for private events such as weddings, meetings and reunions.
Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects
Jacksonville State University, JSU McClellan Center
100 Gamecock Dr, Suite 1156
Anniston, AL 36205
Telephone: (256) 782-8091
Fax: (256) 782-5817
Email: pconroy@jsu.edu – Director