How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in Georgia in 2026
Georgia provides vehicle owners with multiple options for canceling registration, including an online system through the DRIVES e-Services portal. The Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division administers vehicle registration programs statewide, with county tag offices serving as authorized agents for transaction processing.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Vehicle owners may need to cancel their Georgia registration under various circumstances:
- Transferring ownership by selling or gifting your vehicle
- Moving permanently to a different state
- Surrendering the vehicle to a recycling center or salvage operation
- Reporting a stolen vehicle that remains unrecovered
- Receiving a total loss declaration from your insurance provider
- Placing the vehicle in prolonged storage without road operation
- Terminating insurance without plans to drive on public roads
- Converting the vehicle for off-road purposes only
- Military deployment where no one will operate the vehicle
Online and In-Person Cancellation Options
Georgia offers flexible cancellation methods to accommodate different situations and preferences.
Online Cancellation Through DRIVES e-Services
Vehicle owners can voluntarily cancel registration electronically using the Georgia DRIVES e-Services system. This online platform operates continuously, providing immediate processing.
Required Information:
- License plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Georgia driver's license number or Letter ID (found on correspondence from the Department of Revenue regarding your vehicle)
Important Requirement: Under Georgia law requiring insurance coverage, you should cancel registration BEFORE terminating insurance to avoid penalties and fines.
In-Person Processing at County Tag Offices
Cancellation may also be completed at your local county tag office by submitting the required documentation in person.
Required Steps:
- Download and complete Form MV-18J Application of Voluntary Registration Cancellation
- Bring the completed form to your county tag office
- Present valid photo identification
- Provide your current registration certificate
- Receive written confirmation of the cancellation
Mail Option: Some counties accept cancellation requests by mail. Contact your county tag office to verify whether this option is available and obtain specific mailing instructions.
Request for Refund of Registration Fees
Georgia provides limited refund opportunities for certain registration fees when errors occur or circumstances require cancellation. The refund process addresses specific situations where fees were collected incorrectly.
Refund Eligibility
The Georgia Department of Revenue considers refund requests for:
- Registration fees paid when a transferable plate already existed
- Fees paid for periods when the owner did not possess the vehicle
- Overcharges or duplicate payments for registration services
- Manufacturing fees for special plates not produced due to insufficient applications
- Title fees for vehicles not requiring Georgia titles
Significant Limitation: Georgia does not refund ad valorem taxes or county tag agent fees. Refunds apply exclusively to specific state-collected registration and title fees as outlined in Georgia Administrative Code Rule 560-10-25.
Refund Application Process
Step 1: Surrender License Plate
Visit your county tag office to surrender your license plate. Obtain documentation confirming plate surrender, including the submission date.
Step 2: Complete Refund Request
Download and complete Form T-126 Georgia Department of Revenue Refund Request from the DOR website. Attach the original payment receipt and plate surrender documentation.
Step 3: Submit Documentation
For fees paid directly to the Georgia Department of Revenue, mail Form T-126 with supporting documents to:
Georgia Department of Revenue
ATTN: Refund Request - Accounting & Audit Unit
Processing Center-Motor Vehicle
P.O. Box 740381
Atlanta, GA 30374-0381
For fees paid to your county tag office, submit Form T-126 to the address shown on your original payment receipt.
Step 4: Department Review
The Department of Revenue evaluates submitted requests according to established eligibility criteria. Approved refunds are issued by check to the registered vehicle owner.
Processing Considerations: Refunds are not issued for amounts of $10.00 or less or for fees paid more than one year before the refund request submission.
Governing Laws and Regulations
Georgia's vehicle registration cancellation procedures operate under statutory and regulatory authority:
- 2024 Code of Georgia Title 40 covers the state's body of law for all things related to vehicles, including registration, licensing, titles, and the "Uniform Rules of the Road"
Government Agencies
Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division
Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division
4125 Welcome All Rd #914, Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (855) 406-5221
Official Website: Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles
Online Services:
DRIVES e-Services Portal
County Tag Offices
Vehicle registration cancellations are processed through county tag offices operated by tax commissioners throughout Georgia. The following offices serve major population centers:
Fulton County Tax Commissioner
141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 2097, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 612-4000
Official Website: Fulton County Tax Commissioner
Cobb County Tax Commissioner
P.O. Box 100128, Marietta, GA 30061
Phone: (770) 528-8600
Official Website: Cobb County Tax Commissioner
DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: (404) 298-4000
Official Website: DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner
750 South Perry Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (770) 822-8818
Official Website: Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner
Chatham County Tax Commissioner
222 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 107, Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: (912) 652-7100
Official Website: Chatham County Tax Commissioner
Clayton County Tax Commissioner
121 South McDonough Street, Annex 3, 2nd Floor, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: (770) 477-3331
Official Website: Clayton County Tax Commissioner
Richmond County Tax Commissioner
535 Telfair Street, Suite 100, Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: (706) 821-2391
Official Website: Richmond County Tax Commissioner
Cherokee County Tax Commissioner
2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (678) 493-6400
Official Website: Cherokee County Tax Commissioner
Forsyth County Tax Commissioner
1092 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (770) 781-2110
Official Website: Forsyth County Tax Commissioner
Henry County Tax Commissioner
140 Henry Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253
Phone: (770) 288-8180
Official Website: Henry County Tax Commissioner
