Georgia Title & Registration Guide

Exempt from Titling

U.S. government vehicles (unless registered in Georgia), agricultural/horticultural/livestock raising equipment, aircraft, ATVs/ORVs, boat trailers, cranes, driver education vehicles, fifth wheel trailers, homemade trailers, implements of husbandry, invalid tricycles, motorcycles/motor-driven cycles 50cc or less, personal transportation vehicles, pole trailers, self-propelled wheelchairs, special mobile equipment, trailers/tow dollies with unladen gross weight of 2,000 lbs. or less (exclusion does not apply to travel trailers or campers), vehicles moved solely by human or animal power, vehicles not manufactured for highway use, USCG-documented vessels, and vessels exempt from numbering requirements.

Manufactured / Mobile Homes

Manufactured/mobile homes, 1963 and newer, must be titled. A separate title is issued for each unit if there is more than one title/MCO or if the VIN for each unit is listed separately. To be declared real property and have title cancelled, a Mobile/Manufactured Home Certificate of Permanent Location (T-234) must be certified by the Clerk of Superior Court and submitted with the title and an $18.00 filing fee.

Application for Title

Motor Vehicle Title Application (MV-1) is submitted to the Tag Office in county of residence. Fee $18.00. Make checks payable to the entity that processes the title, i.e. the County Tag Office. A title application may be started online. Georgia dealers must submit applications electronically through the Electronic Title and Registration (ETR) system, subject to exceptions. All title applications submitted by a selling dealer in paper form must be accompanied by a Title Ad Valorem Tax Return (MV-7D).

Allow five business days from county approval to receive title. Expedited title processing is available for non-TAVT vehicles for an additional $10.00 fee. Title status lookup available online.

Electronic Signatures

Signatures created through the use of an electronic signature pad or an electronic signature service are allowed. Digital signatures are allowed as long as appropriate security measures are implemented. Remote notarizations are accepted from notary publics physically located in Georgia.

Insufficient Evidence of Ownership (Bonded Title)

In the absence of required ownership documents, a resident vehicle owner may apply for a bonded title. Vehicle must be 1986 or newer model year and cannot be abandoned. A Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond (MV-46), an Affidavit Supporting Certificate of Title Bond Application (MV-46A), a Certificate of Inspection (T-22B), an NMVTIS or equivalent report, a certified title history if title is from another jurisdiction, any available ownership papers, and applicable fees must be submitted. Title must be applied for within six months of bond issue date. Bond must be equal to two times the average retail value of the vehicle, but not less than $5,000. Bond is effective for four years.

Deceased Owner

The title issued in the deceased's name or properly assigned to the deceased with all liens released must be submitted with a title application, a Notice of Satisfaction (T-4), an inheritance document, and title fees. If the vehicle is jointly owned, the license plate may be transferred to the surviving owner. If a title is issued with JTWROS, the surviving owner may complete the assignment and attach a copy of the death certificate.

Application for Registration

Made to the County Tag Office in the county of residence. Proof of residency is required if vehicle is exempt from titling. Vehicles purchased from a non-dealer must be registered within seven business days from date of purchase. New residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency. Registration must be carried in the vehicle.

Nonresidents

Motor vehicles properly registered in home state may be operated in Georgia for 90 days without registering in Georgia, with reciprocity; 30 days if employed in or engaged in any trade, profession, or occupation in Georgia or enters children in public school. Vessels properly registered in another state or country must register in Georgia after 60 consecutive days of use.

Planned Non-Operation

Non-operational vehicles are not required to be registered; however, annual ad valorem tax is due. To avoid penalties, vehicle registration must be cancelled prior to removing insurance coverage. Registration may be cancelled online or upon submission of an Application for Voluntary Registration Cancellation (MV-18J).

4.0% state rate plus local taxes applies to the retail sale of trailers, pull-behind campers, mobile/manufactured homes, IRP vehicles, vehicles not subject to TAVT, vessels, and aircraft. Tax is based on purchase price, less trade-in allowance, or the fair market value. Tax is due at the rate of the jurisdiction where the buyer takes delivery. Casual sales are exempt. State sales/use tax paid to another state may be credited towards Georgia's state sales/use tax.

Assessed on most vehicles not taxed under TAVT or alternative ad valorem tax, such as non-titled vehicles, most vehicles purchased prior to March 1, 2013, trailers, IRP vehicles, and campers. Tax is based on the current fair market value and the tax district in which the owner resides. Payment is a prerequisite to registration and is due annually, whether vehicle is operational or not. The penalty for late payment is 10% of the tax due.

Lease Information

Same forms, procedures, and fees apply to leased vehicles as privately-owned vehicles. Title issued in lessor's name and address. Registration is issued showing the leasing company as owner and the lessee's name and address. If lessee is signing title application, a copy of the lease agreement authorizing the lessee to sign or a POA is required.

Leased vehicles (term lasting more than 31 consecutive days) are subject to TAVT upon application for title. A State and Local Title Ad Valorem Tax (MV-7L) showing the calculation of TAVT for a leased vehicle must be submitted with application for title and lease agreement. Monthly lease payments are exempt from sales/use tax. Leased vehicles are also exempt from annual ad valorem tax.

Rental vehicles (term lasting 31 consecutive days or less) are subject to sales and use tax based on the county where the motor vehicle is registered and computed on the gross rental charge.

Financial Responsibility Laws

Proof of insurance is required prior to registration and must be carried in the vehicle. Non-motorized vehicles are exempt. If there is a lapse in coverage, a $25.00 lapse fee will be assessed. Insurance status may be checked online.

Emission Inspection

Required annually on gasoline-powered cars and light trucks 8,500 lbs. GVWR or less registered in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties. The three most recent model year vehicles, vehicles 25 years old or older, vehicles operated exclusively on diesel or other alternative fuel, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and motor homes are exempt.

Enforcement

Department of Public Safety, Georgia State Patrol, 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, 404.624.7451.