Georgia Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Georgia DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 30 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 6.6% · TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013 |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required · GA requires a VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles at a GA DMV customer service center. |
| Lien release form | MV-4 or Title (lien section) |
| Gift / family exemption | MV-16 |
Georgia title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (MV-4 or Title (lien section)) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Georgia requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Complete VIN inspection — Georgia requires VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles. Schedule with Georgia DMV or a licensed inspector. GA requires a VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles at a GA DMV customer service center.
- 5Buyer files at Georgia DMV — within 30 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Georgia DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — 6.6% sales/use tax on the sale price plus any local surtax, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Georgia DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Georgia DMV the same day as the sale.
Georgia lien release procedure
- Lienholder completes the lien release section on the existing title or provides a separate lien release letter.
- Owner submits the released title with Form MV-4 (title application) at a GA county tag office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Georgia title.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Georgia estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Georgia DMV. For family transfers without sale, Georgia accepts MV-16 for sales-tax exemption.
Need a Georgia bill of sale to complete the transfer?
Compliant with Georgia DMV requirements. From $9 — instant DMV-ready PDF, no signup.
Create Georgia Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Georgia
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Georgia?▾
Georgia requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 30 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax.
What does a Georgia title transfer cost?▾
Georgia charges 6.6% state sales/use tax on the transfer price plus any local surtax. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013 The title fee itself is typically $15-$50 depending on vehicle class.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Georgia?▾
Yes — Georgia requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Georgia DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms.
What if there's a lien on the title in Georgia?▾
In Georgia, the lender must complete MV-4 or Title (lien section) confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Georgia DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Georgia?▾
Georgia inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Georgia DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party. For family transfers, Georgia accepts MV-16 to claim the sales tax exemption.
Source: Georgia DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07