Alabama § 31-13-10 - Willful Failure to Complete or Carry Alien Registration Documentation.

Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 31-13-10 — Willful Failure to Complete or Carry Alien Registration Documentation., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 31-13-10. Willful Failure to Complete or Carry Alien Registration Documentation.

(a) In addition to any violation of federal law, a person is guilty of willful failure to complete or carry an alien registration document if the person is in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1304(e) or 8 U.S.C. § 1306(a), and the person is an alien unlawfully present in the United States.

(b) In the enforcement of this section, an alien’s immigration status shall be determined by verification of the alien’s immigration status with the federal government pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1373(c). A law enforcement officer shall not attempt to independently make a final determination of whether an alien is lawfully present in the United States.

(c) A law enforcement official or agency of this state or a county, city, or other political subdivision of this state may not consider race, color, or national origin in the enforcement of this section except to the extent permitted by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

(d) This section does not apply to a person who maintains authorization from the federal government to be present in the United States.

(e) Any record that relates to the immigration status of a person is admissible in any court of this state without further foundation or testimony from a custodian of records if the record is certified as authentic by the federal government agency that is responsible for maintaining the record. A verification of an alien’s immigration status received from the federal government pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1373(c) shall constitute proof of that alien’s status. A court of this state shall consider only the federal government’s verification in determining whether an alien is lawfully present in the United States.

(f) An alien unlawfully present in the United States who is in violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than 30 days in jail.

(g) A court shall collect the assessments prescribed in subsection (f) and remit 50 percent of the assessments to the general fund of the local government where the person was apprehended to be earmarked for law enforcement purposes, 25 percent of the assessments to the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, and 25 percent of the assessments to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 31-13-10

What does Code of Alabama § 31-13-10 cover?

Section 31-13-10 ("Willful Failure to Complete or Carry Alien Registration Documentation.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Alabama § 31-13-10?

A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 31-13-10" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Alabama law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.

How does Alabama § 31-13-10 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.