Alberta paperwork 5 min read
How to Transfer Vehicle Registration in Alberta (2026 Guide)
Step-by-step: what the buyer and seller each do at an Alberta registry to transfer a vehicle, what documents you need, and how long it takes.
Alberta doesn't transfer a vehicle automatically when you sell it. Until the new owner walks into a registry agent and registers it in their name, the plates and any tickets, tolls, or photo-radar charges stay attached to you. This guide is the short version of how to do the handoff cleanly.
What the seller needs to do
- · Sign a bill of sale (Alberta doesn't issue one — you write your own, or use our free fillable PDF).
- · Remove your licence plates. Plates stay with the person, not the vehicle, in Alberta.
- · Give the buyer the vehicle registration certificate signed on the back, plus your bill of sale.
- · Cancel your insurance on that VIN after the buyer drives it away (or transfer it to your next vehicle).
What the buyer needs to do
- · Get insurance on the vehicle before driving it home — Alberta registry agents won't register it without a pink card.
- · Bring the signed registration, the bill of sale, and government-issued ID to any Alberta registry agent.
- · Pay the registration fee (varies by registry; usually $93–$110/year for passenger plates).
- · Walk out with new plates and a registration certificate in their name.
What can trip you up
- · Out-of-province VINs need an out-of-province inspection first ($150–$250 at most mechanics).
- · Liens on the title block registration until the lender confirms payout — get a lien search done before money changes hands.
- · Curbsiders sometimes ask the seller to leave registration blank so they can flip without recording themselves as owner. Don't do this; you stay legally on the hook.
Frequently asked
- Do I need to be present at the registry with the buyer?
- No. Once the buyer has the signed registration and bill of sale, they go alone. Your part is done when the keys leave your hand.
- How long does the registry visit take?
- Usually 15–20 minutes if there's no line and the paperwork is complete.
- What if Kamocars buys my car — do I still do all this?
- No. We handle the registry side ourselves. You sign the bill of sale, hand over the signed registration, and we take care of the rest.
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