Title Transfer Georgia
You can complete a title transfer in Georgia through the online DRIVES portal or a County Tag Office. Bring $18 and the necessary documentation.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
To transfer ownership of a motor vehicle in Georgia, you’ll need to complete a title transfer. You can do this through the online DRIVES portal or a County Tag Office for a title fee of $18.
- Use the online DRIVES portal or go to your local DMV with the certificate of title, necessary documentation, and $18 to complete a title transfer.
- Car owners must complete the title transfer within 30 days or be charged an additional fee in Georgia.
- The new title will take 7 to 10 days to deliver, and you will still need to register your vehicle after the transfer.
- Use the online DRIVES portal or go to your local DMV with thecertificate of title, necessary documentation, and $18 to complete a title transfer.
- Car owners must complete thetitle transferwithin 30 days or be charged an additional fee in Georgia.
- The new title will take 7 to 10 days to deliver, and you will still need toregister your vehicleafter the transfer.
Car title transfer in Georgia: what’s required
In the state of Georgia, a vehicle buyer can
complete the title transfer process online
with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) or in-person at a County Tag office
.Georgia law requires drivers to complete this process within 30 days of the change of ownership (or residency) or you will be charged a penalty fee.
If the vehicle is already titled in Georgia, bring:
- Proof of ownership.
- The original title, completely filled out, with the odometer disclosure signed to indicate you accept the odometer reading.
- Form MV-1 Title/Tag Application. Print the Title Application at home or have the County Tag Office print it, then sign. Make sure the lien release or security interest is NOT listed.
- Proof of insurance, either an Insurance Binder showing liability coverage or filed directly by your insurance company in the Department’s database.
- Emission Inspection Certificate, if applicable.
- Lienholder’s name and address if your vehicle is financed.
- Payment of all fees and/or taxes due.
- Original out-of-state title, replacement title, or duplicate title.
- Registration certification from non-title state/county—this must be assigned to you using your full name.
You may also need to provide the following information:
- License plate number
- VIN
- Vehicle make
- Vehicle model
The title transfer fee in Georgia is $18. You may also need to pay a $20 license plate fee. Once you’ve submitted all required documentation, you should receive a new title within 7 to 10 days.
Keep in mind: The
DRIVES e-service online portal
will walk you through the Georgia title transfer process from start to finish—and there’s no lineup!Title transfers have two steps
The motor vehicle title determines who owns a car. When you transfer the title, you’re transferring ownership to someone else.
Transferring a title requires two steps, one for the seller and one for the buyer:
- The seller, or previous owner, must sign the title to release ownership.
- The buyer, or new owner, will need to go to the DMV with the signed title and get a new title and vehicle registration.
Every state has a slightly different process for title transfers. Some states require extra paperwork depending on the circumstances (e.g., passing down a car to a family member).
Do the title transfer yourself in a private sale
If you made a
private purchase
, it’s up to the buyer and seller to complete the title transfer process, but the new owner is usually responsible for submitting the paperwork.When you buy or lease a car from a dealer: the dealer and the lending/leasing company will handle all the paperwork and send you the vehicle title by mail.
Transfer the title when buying, selling, donating, or gifting
The most common reason for a title transfer is a change of residency or buying or selling a car. Other reasons to complete a title transfer include:
Registering a car in Georgia
After a title transfer, you still need to
register the vehicle
. Registration is proof that you can legally drive on the streets and is done annually in Georgia
. You must have a Georgia title and proof of auto insurance that meets the
state minimum coverage requirements
to register your vehicle.The base registration fee is $20 and there is an additional $200 fee for electric vehicles (EVs).
If your vehicle was purchased on or after March 1, 2013, it’s exempt from sales and use tax and the annual ad valorem tax. Instead, it will be subject to a one-time title ad valorem tax (TVT) based on the vehicle’s value.
You’ll also need to pay the following:
Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
License plate fee | $20 | |
Title fee | $18 | |
Title ad valorem tax | Depends on value | |
Any penalties due | Varies | Only required if the vehicle has penalties. |
Other fees may apply based on the type of vehicle, county of residence, or driving record.
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FAQs
What if my car has a loan?
A title transfer is a bit more challenging if the vehicle is still financed. Call your lender to ask how to sell a car that has a loan and how the transaction should be handled.
Take your time and be sure to complete all the steps carefully.
Where do I sign to transfer the title?
Both the seller and the buyer need to sign the title. There are two separate lines for each signature. If two people are buying (or selling), then both will need to sign on the same line.
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