Top What is a Title Transfer?

The vehicle’s title is the legal document that shows vehicle ownership. It includes the names of each person who owns the vehicle, and a title transfer must take place within 30 days of any of those names changing.

Reasons for title transfers include:

• Buying or selling a vehicle

• Paying off a vehicle loan

• Transferring vehicle ownership among family members

• Gifting or donating a vehicle

• Inheriting a vehicle

• Making name changes on the current title

Top Selling a Vehicle

You may think a buyer is the only one who needs to do his research; however, you can do some research of your own when you order a Vehicle History Report (VHR). Sure, you probably already know the history of your vehicle, but the buyer doesn’t. Providing him with a VHR helps him better understand the vehicle he’s considering and your good intentions.

Once you’re ready to complete the sale, take these steps to properly transfer the title:

1. Properly complete, sign, and date the current title. This includes entering the current odometer reading if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
2. Make sure the buyer properly signs and dates the title.
3. Have the title notarized.
4. Complete and have notarized a Bill of Sale with the buyer. You may want to keep a copy for yourself.
5. Complete a Title/Tag Application.
6. Obtain record of a current certificate of vehicle emission inspection for the buyer, if your county calls for it. Visit Georgia's Clean Air Force for specific rules about obtaining an emission inspection before selling a used vehicle.
7. Give all the paperwork to the buyer so he can visit his County Tax Commissioner’s tag office to complete the transfer.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

When you purchase a new vehicle, your dealer will handle the title transfer.

Before you head out to the dealership, shop around online for a new car.

Used Cars

Buying a pre-owned vehicle is an excellent way to save money, but you must invest some time researching the vehicle. Order a VHR for the vehicle you’re considering before plunking down the cash―and buying someone else’s problems.

You can save even more money when you consider the expenses that come along after you drive the car home. Look into affordable auto finance options and budget-friendly car insurance policies so you’ll have a clear picture of just how much it’s going to cost to own the vehicle.

Once you’ve found your bargains and are ready to finalize the sale, follow these steps to transfer the title:

1. Make sure the seller properly completes, signs, and dates the title. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you may also want to check the actual odometer reading with the number the seller records on the title.
2. Sign and date the title yourself.
3. Have the title notarized.
4. Complete and have notarized a Bill of Sale with the seller. You may want to suggest the seller keep a copy for himself, too.
5. Complete a Title/Tag Application.
6. If it’s required in your county, make sure the seller provides proof of a current certificate of vehicle emission inspection. Sellers aren’t required to provide the actual certificate, but they aren’t allowed to sell a vehicle that doesn’t have a current certificate, either. For more information, check Georgia's Clean Air Force.
7. Collect all the paperwork, including the title, from the seller and bring it and the following to your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office:
   • Your valid driver’s license or state-issued ID card.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • A completed Certificate of Inspection. A law enforcement officer or County Tag Agent must complete this form after visually inspecting the serial plate.
   • The fee of $18 (unless you’re past the 30-day time limit, in which case you’ll need to pay $28).

NOTE: It's safest to make sure the title is in your hand when you part ways with the seller, rather than agreeing to allow him to mail it at a later date.

You can also take care of the vehicle’s registration while you’re at your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office. Find details and fees in our Car Registration section.

Top Removing a Lien

When you pay off your car loan, you can remove your lienholder’s name from the title. To do so:

1. Have your lienholder complete the section of the title that shows the lien is released, or obtain a statement from your lienholder on company letterhead that includes:
   • Your name and address, and the names and addresses of all secured parties.
   • The vehicle’s make, model, and year, as well as the vehicle identification number.
   • A statement that you’ve satisfied the lien.
2. Bring the title, the lienholder’s letter if applicable, and the fee of $18 to your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office to apply for a new title.

NOTE: The lien will remain on record until you apply for a new title. For more information about removing liens, visit the state’s Lien or Security Interest Release.

Top Transferring to Family

Title transfers vary slightly when they occur among immediate family members. Immediate family members include:

• Grandparents

• Parents

• Siblings

• Spouses

• Children

Because families transfer vehicles among one another at various times during the year, it may or may not be time to pay taxes and other fees on the vehicle. Therefore, it’s best to contact your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office for instructions specific to your situation; however, both parties should be prepared to:

1. Complete, sign, and date the title. The current owner is the “seller” and the new owner is the “buyer.”
2. Make sure the title reflects the correct odometer reading if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
3. Have the title notarized.
4. Complete a Title/Tag Application.
5. Present proof of a certificate of vehicle emission inspection if the county requires it.
6. Visit the County Tax Commissioner’s tag office with the above paperwork and fee of $18 to complete the transfer.

NOTE: The previous vehicle owner can’t transfer the license plate along with the title. The new owner must register the vehicle in his name, which includes taking care of the license plate.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

As is the case with transferring a vehicle from one family member to another, gifting a vehicle may require the new owner to pay taxes, and those taxes may be based on various factors. Your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office can provide specific details.

Steps may vary, but recipients of gifted vehicles should be prepared to:

1. Sign and date the title as the “buyer” once the current owner completes, signs, and dates the title as the “seller.”
2. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, check to make sure the odometer reading matches the number on the title.
3. Have the title notarized.
4. Obtain proof of a certificate of vehicle emission inspection if the county requires it.
5. Pay a visit to the County Tax Commissioner’s tag office with the above paperwork and fee of $18 in hand.

NOTE: The vehicle’s new owner can also register the vehicle at the County Tax Commissioner’s tag office. Please refer to Car Registration for details about registration fees.

Top Donating a Vehicle

Our section on car donation provides information about choosing qualified charities and tax benefits. Of course, you’ll want to consult a tax attorney to make sure you follow the steps appropriate for your specific situation.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

If you’ve inherited a vehicle, a probate attorney can help you with the exact steps to take for a title transfer; however, unless you have extenuating circumstances, the steps will look like these:

1. Collect the original title with the deceased’s name. (You may need to submit a Form T-4 to document satisfied liens.)
2. Obtain an Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle or a certified copy of Letters of Testamentary/Administration from a probated will.
3. Complete a Title/Tag Application.
4. Determine whether your county is one that requires emissions certificates.
5. Gather each of the applicable documents listed above, as well as your driver’s license or state-issued ID card, proof of insurance (see below), and fee of $18 and head to your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office.

The County Tax Commissioner’s tag office can also help you register the vehicle in your name, and this may be something you’ll want to take care of while you’re there.

Note: Because you need proof of insurance for both the titling and registration processes, visit our Insurance Center for details about minimum liability insurance requirements and the tools to shop for an affordable policy.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Change your name on your driver’s license or state-issued ID card to reflect your new or corrected name.
2. Obtain a certified copy of the legal document (such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce decree) that reflects your name.
3. Complete a Title/Tag Application.
4. Visit your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office with the above documents (including the corrected license or ID) and:
   • Proof of insurance.
   • Current title and registration.
   • Fee of $18.

Consider obtaining a vital record to prepare yourself for situations that call for proof of your legal name, and visit Changing Your Name for more information about keeping your name current for driver and vehicle services.

Deleting a Name

1. Make sure you have the original title and the fee of $18.
2. Head to your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office with the person you’re removing from the title to complete the transaction. Depending on the situation, you may need to complete additional paperwork.

Adding a Name

1. Locate the current title.
2. Make sure you and the new additional owner have:
   • Your licenses or ID cards.
   • Proofs of insurance.
   • The fee of $18.
3. Visit your County Tax Commissioner’s tag agency with the new additional owner to complete the transaction. Depending on your situation, you may or may not need to update the vehicle’s registration.

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