Law Governing Perfection and Priority.

Ala. Code tit. 7, art. 9A, pt. 3, div. 1

in effect

Ala. Code § 7-9A-301 Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests.

7-9A-301. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 7-9A-303 through 7-9A-306B, the following rules determine the law governing perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral: (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, while a debtor is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral. (2) While collateral is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a possessory security interest in that collateral. (3) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4), while negotiable tangible documents, goods, instruments, or money is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs: (A) perfection of a security interest in the goods by filing a fixture filing; (B) perfection of a security interest in timber to be cut; and (C) the effect of perfection or nonperfection and the priority of a nonpossessory security interest in the collateral. (4) The local law of the jurisdiction in which the wellhead or mine is located governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in as-extracted collateral. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1; Act 2004-315, p. 464, §2; Act 2023-492, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-302 Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Agricultural Liens.

7-9A-302. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Agricultural Liens. While farm products are located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of an agricultural lien on the farm products. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-303 Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Goods Covered by a Certificate of Title.

7-9A-303. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Goods Covered by a Certificate of Title. (a) Applicability of section. This section applies to goods covered by a certificate of title, even if there is no other relationship between the jurisdiction under whose certificate of title the goods are covered and the goods or the debtor. (b) When goods covered by certificate of title. Goods become covered by a certificate of title when a valid application for the certificate of title and the applicable fee are delivered to the appropriate authority. Goods cease to be covered by a certificate of title at the earlier of the time the certificate of title ceases to be effective under the law of the issuing jurisdiction or the time the goods become covered subsequently by a certificate of title issued by another jurisdiction. (c) Applicable law. The local law of the jurisdiction under whose certificate of title the goods are covered governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in goods covered by a certificate of title from the time the goods become covered by the certificate of title until the goods cease to be covered by the certificate of title. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-304 Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Deposit Accounts.

7-9A-304. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Deposit Accounts. (a) Law of bank’s jurisdiction governs. The local law of a bank’s jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in a deposit account maintained with that bank even if the transaction does not bear any relation to the bank’s jurisdiction. (b) Bank’s jurisdiction. The following rules determine a bank’s jurisdiction for purposes of this part: (1) If an agreement between the bank and the debtor governing the deposit account expressly provides that a particular jurisdiction is the bank’s jurisdiction for purposes of this part, this article, or the Uniform Commercial Code, that jurisdiction is the bank’s jurisdiction. (2) If paragraph (1) does not apply and an agreement between the bank and its customer governing the deposit account expressly provides that the agreement is governed by the law of a particular jurisdiction, that jurisdiction is the bank’s jurisdiction. (3) If neither paragraph (1) nor paragraph (2) applies and an agreement between the bank and its customer governing the deposit account expressly provides that the deposit account is maintained at an office in a particular jurisdiction, that jurisdiction is the bank’s jurisdiction. (4) If none of the preceding paragraphs applies, the bank’s jurisdiction is the jurisdiction in which the office identified in an account statement as the office serving the customer’s account is located. (5) If none of the preceding paragraphs applies, the bank’s jurisdiction is the jurisdiction in which the chief executive office of the bank is located. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1; Act 2023-492, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-305 Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Investment Property.

7-9A-305. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Investment Property. (a) Governing law: General rules. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), the following rules apply: (1) While a security certificate is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in the certificated security represented thereby. (2) The local law of the issuer’s jurisdiction as specified in Section 7-8-110(d) governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in an uncertificated security. (3) The local law of the securities intermediary’s jurisdiction as specified in Section 7-8-110(e) governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in a security entitlement or securities account. (4) The local law of the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in a commodity contract or commodity account. (5) Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) apply even if the transaction does not bear any relation to the jurisdiction. (b) Commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction. The following rules determine a commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction for purposes of this part: (1) If an agreement between the commodity intermediary and commodity customer governing the commodity account expressly provides that a particular jurisdiction is the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction for purposes of this part, this article, or the Uniform Commercial Code, that jurisdiction is the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction. (2) If paragraph (1) does not apply and an agreement between the commodity intermediary and commodity customer governing the commodity account expressly provides that the agreement is governed by the law of a particular jurisdiction, that jurisdiction is the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction. (3) If neither paragraph (1) nor paragraph (2) applies and an agreement between the commodity intermediary and commodity customer governing the commodity account expressly provides that the commodity account is maintained at an office in a particular jurisdiction, that jurisdiction is the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction. (4) If none of the preceding paragraphs applies, the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction is the jurisdiction in which the office identified in an account statement as the office serving the commodity customer’s account is located. (5) If none of the preceding paragraphs applies, the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction is the jurisdiction in which the chief executive office of the commodity intermediary is located. (c) When perfection governed by law of jurisdiction where debtor located. The local law of the jurisdiction in which the debtor is located governs: (1) perfection of a security interest in investment property by filing; (2) automatic perfection of a security interest in investment property created by a broker or securities intermediary; and (3) automatic perfection of a security interest in a commodity contract or commodity account created by a commodity intermediary. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1; Act 2023-492, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-306 Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Letter-of-Credit Rights.

7-9A-306. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Letter-of-Credit Rights. (a) Governing law: Issuer’s or nominated person’s jurisdiction. Subject to subsection (c), the local law of the issuer’s jurisdiction or a nominated person’s jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in a letter-of-credit right if the issuer’s jurisdiction or nominated person’s jurisdiction is a State. (b) Issuer’s or nominated person’s jurisdiction. For purposes of this part, an issuer’s jurisdiction or nominated person’s jurisdiction is the jurisdiction whose law governs the liability of the issuer or nominated person with respect to the letter-of-credit right as provided in Section 7-5-116. (c) When section not applicable. This section does not apply to a security interest that is perfected only under Section 7-9A-308(d). (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-306A Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Chattel Paper.

7-9A-306A. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Chattel Paper. (a) Chattel paper evidenced by authoritative electronic copy. Except as provided in subsection (d), if chattel paper is evidenced only by an authoritative electronic copy of the chattel paper or is evidenced by an authoritative electronic copy and an authoritative tangible copy, the local law of the chattel paper’s jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in the chattel paper, even if the transaction does not bear any relation to the chattel paper’s jurisdiction. (b) Chattel paper’s jurisdiction. The following rules determine the chattel paper’s jurisdiction under this section: (1) If the authoritative electronic copy of the record evidencing chattel paper, or a record attached to or logically associated with the electronic copy and readily available for review, expressly provides that a particular jurisdiction is the chattel paper’s jurisdiction for purposes of this part, this article, or the Uniform Commercial Code, that jurisdiction is the chattel paper’s jurisdiction. (2) If paragraph (1) does not apply and the rules of the system in which the authoritative electronic copy is recorded are readily available for review and expressly provide that a particular jurisdiction is the chattel paper’s jurisdiction for purposes of this part, this article, or the Uniform Commercial Code, that jurisdiction is the chattel paper’s jurisdiction. (3) If paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply and the authoritative electronic copy, or a record attached to or logically associated with the electronic copy and readily available for review, expressly provides that the chattel paper is governed by the law of a particular jurisdiction, that jurisdiction is the chattel paper’s jurisdiction. (4) If paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) do not apply and the rules of the system in which the authoritative electronic copy is recorded are readily available for review and expressly provide that the chattel paper or the system is governed by the law of a particular jurisdiction, that jurisdiction is the chattel paper’s jurisdiction. (5) If paragraphs (1) through (4) do not apply, the chattel paper’s jurisdiction is the jurisdiction in which the debtor is located. (c) Chattel paper evidenced by authoritative tangible copy. If an authoritative tangible copy of a record evidences chattel paper and the chattel paper is not evidenced by an authoritative electronic copy, while the authoritative tangible copy of the record evidencing chattel paper is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs: (1) perfection of a security interest in the chattel paper by possession under Section 7-9A-314A; and (2) the effect of perfection or nonperfection and the priority of a security interest in the chattel paper. (d) When perfection governed by law of jurisdiction where debtor located. The local law of the jurisdiction in which the debtor is located governs perfection of a security interest in chattel paper by filing. EndFragment (Act 2023-492, §2.)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-306B Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Controllable Accounts, Controllable Electronic Records, and Controllable Payment Intangibles.

7-9A-306B. Law Governing Perfection and Priority of Security Interests in Controllable Accounts, Controllable Electronic Records, and Controllable Payment Intangibles. (a) Governing law: general rules. Except as provided in subsection (b), the local law of the controllable electronic record’s jurisdiction specified in Section 7-12-107(c) and (d) governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in a controllable electronic record and a security interest in a controllable account or controllable payment intangible evidenced by the controllable electronic record. (b) When perfection governed by law of jurisdiction where the debtor is located. The local law of the jurisdiction in which the debtor is located governs: (1) perfection of a security interest in a controllable account, controllable electronic record, or controllable payment intangible by filing; and (2) automatic perfection of a security interest in a controllable payment intangible created by a sale of the controllable payment intangible. (Act 2023-492, §2)

Ala. Code § 7-9A-307 Location of Debtor.

7-9A-307. Location of Debtor. (a) “Place of business.” In this section, “place of business” means a place where a debtor conducts its affairs. (b) Debtor’s location: General rules. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following rules determine a debtor’s location: (1) A debtor who is an individual is located at the individual’s principal residence. (2) A debtor that is an organization and has only one place of business is located at its place of business. (3) A debtor that is an organization and has more than one place of business is located at its chief executive office. (c) Limitation of applicability of subsection (b). Subsection (b) applies only if a debtor’s residence, place of business, or chief executive office, as applicable, is located in a jurisdiction whose law generally requires information concerning the existence of a nonpossessory security interest to be made generally available in a filing, recording, or registration system as a condition or result of the security interest’s obtaining priority over the rights of a lien creditor with respect to the collateral. If subsection (b) does not apply, the debtor is located in the District of Columbia. (d) Continuation of location: Cessation of existence, etc. A person that ceases to exist, have a residence, or have a place of business continues to be located in the jurisdiction specified by subsections (b) and (c). (e) Location of registered organization organized under State law. A registered organization that is organized under the law of a State is located in that State. (f) Location of registered organization organized under federal law; bank branches and agencies. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (i), a registered organization that is organized under the law of the United States and a branch or agency of a bank that is not organized under the law of the United States or a State are located: (1) in the State that the law of the United States designates, if the law designates a State of location; (2) in the State that the registered organization, branch, or agency designates, if the law of the United States authorizes the registered organization, branch, or agency to designate its State of location, including by designating its main office, home office, or other comparable office; or (3) in the District of Columbia, if neither paragraph (1) nor paragraph (2) applies. (g) Continuation of location: Change in status of registered organization. A registered organization continues to be located in the jurisdiction specified by subsection (e) or (f) notwithstanding: (1) the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or lapse of the registered organization’s status as such in its jurisdiction of organization; or (2) the dissolution, winding up, or cancellation of the existence of the registered organization. (h) Location of United States. The United States is located in the District of Columbia. (i) Location of foreign bank branch or agency if licensed in only one State. A branch or agency of a bank that is not organized under the law of the United States or a State is located in the State in which the branch or agency is licensed, if all branches and agencies of the bank are licensed in only one State. (j) Location of foreign air carrier. A foreign air carrier under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, is located at the designated office of the agent upon which service of process may be made on behalf of the carrier. (k) Section applies only to this part. This section applies only for purposes of this part. (l) Information as to debtor’s location. Within 10 days after receipt of the secured party’s authenticated request, the debtor shall provide to the secured party the information reasonably necessary to enable the secured party to determine the debtor’s location under this section. (Act 2001-481, p. 647, §1; Act 2014-374, p. 1339, §1.)

Source: Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us)URL: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabamaFetched: 10/20/2026