How To Transfer a Car Title in Georgia 2026

When a motor vehicle changes hands in Georgia — whether through a private sale, a gift, a bequest, or an estate — the new owner is legally required to secure a Georgia certificate of title in their name before the vehicle may be operated or resold. The Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) Motor Vehicle Division administers the titling program through a network of County Tag Offices serving all 159 counties. Title applications must be completed with the buyer's County Tag Office within 30 days of the sale or ownership transfer date to avoid a $10 late penalty.

Required Documents for Title Transfer in Georgia

Each document listed below is required in the title transfer process. The County Tag Office will not accept partial submissions; hence, all items must be present and in order at the time of filing.

• Certificate of Title: The seller must execute the assignment section on the reverse of the Georgia title using blue or black ink only, entering the buyer's full legal name and address, sale price, date of sale, and current odometer mileage; any erasure or alteration may void the document
• Form MV-1 — Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application: Buyers must complete and sign this form prior to visiting the County Tag Office; it must be submitted alongside the assigned title certificate
• Valid Georgia Identification: A current Georgia driver's license or state-issued identification card showing the buyer's legal name and current residential address is required for every owner listed on the title
• Proof of Georgia Insurance: Active Georgia automobile liability coverage is required to register the vehicle and obtain a license plate at the time of application
• Odometer Disclosure: Federal and Georgia law require the seller to record the vehicle's mileage directly on the title at the time of transfer; vehicles that are 20 or more model years old qualify for an exemption
• Lien Release: Where an active security interest is recorded against the vehicle, the lienholder must formally satisfy and release the lien with the DOR before title transfer proceedings can begin
• Title Ad Valorem Tax — TAVT: A one-time property tax calculated against the fair market value of the vehicle and due at the time of transfer; applies to all vehicles purchased on or after March 1, 2013
• Power of Attorney: Required only when an authorized agent handles the title transaction on behalf of the buyer or seller

Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Georgia

Step 1: Assemble All Required Documents in Advance

County Tag Offices do not process partial applications. Reviewing the checklist below before leaving for the office will prevent delays and the need for a return visit. Verify that each condition is met:

• The original Georgia certificate of title is in the seller's possession, free of alterations, and clear of any outstanding liens
• Form MV-1 is fully completed and signed by the buyer
• A valid, current Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID is available for every owner named on the title
• Active Georgia automobile insurance documentation is accessible if registration is being processed at the same time
• The vehicle's odometer mileage is recorded on the title for all non-exempt vehicles

Step 2: Execute the Title Assignment as the Seller

Georgia law requires the seller to complete the assignment section on the reverse side of the certificate of title without erasure or correction, using blue or black ink only. Each of the following data points must appear in the designated fields:

• Buyer's full legal name, entered exactly as it appears on their Georgia driver's license or state ID
• Buyer's current residential address
• Date of sale recorded as month, day, and year — altering the purchase date on the title results in an additional $10 penalty
• Complete odometer reading expressed in total miles, not including tenths
• Seller's printed name and original signature; each co-owner must print and sign individually

If an error is made, do not attempt to correct it directly on the document. Contact your local County Tag Office before submitting a title with any marks or corrections.

Step 3: Fill Out Form MV-1 as the Buyer

Every buyer is required to complete Form MV-1, the official Georgia Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application, in advance of visiting the County Tag Office. The DOR provides an online option to begin the application before your in-person visit, which reduces time spent at the counter. The following information is required on the form:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Vehicle year, make, model, and body style
• Current title number and the state of issuance
• Buyer's full legal name and current Georgia residential address
• Purchase price and Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) details

Step 4: Submit the Application at Your County Tag Office

Private vehicle title transfers in Georgia must be completed in person at the County Tag Office for the county where the buyer resides. When you arrive at the service counter, have the following ready for the office representative:

• The original Georgia certificate of title, fully executed by the seller
• A completed and signed Form MV-1
• A valid Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID for each owner listed
• Current Georgia automobile insurance documentation, if a registration is also being processed
• Payment in full for all applicable title, registration, and tax charges

Step 5: Pay All Required Title Fees and Title Ad Valorem Tax

All fees below presents Georgia title transfer fees as set by state regulation:

Step 6: Receive Your New Georgia Certificate of Title

Title issuance proceeds as follows once the County Tag Office confirms the application package is complete and all fee obligations have been cleared:

• A transaction receipt recording the submission date and total charges paid is issued at the time of filing
• A new license plate and registration materials are provided on the same day when a registration request is included, and all eligibility criteria are met
• The Georgia certificate of title is mailed to the address on file within approximately 7 to 10 business days
• In-person expedited title processing is available at the DOR Motor Vehicle Division office in Atlanta for a $10 special handling fee, in addition to standard title fees

Contact Information

Georgia Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division
4125 Welcome All Road, Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (855) 406-5221
Official Website: Georgia Department of Revenue