Replacing a Lost Georgia Vehicle Title

If your Georgia title is lost, stolen, or damaged, the Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division will issue a duplicate using Form MV-1 with the "duplicate" box checked. The fee is just $8 — one of the lowest duplicate-title fees in the country — and processing takes about 7-10 business days for in-person submissions or 4-6 weeks by mail.

Who can request a duplicate

Only the legal owner shown on the MVD title record can apply for a duplicate. If the vehicle has an active lien, the lien holder is a co-owner of the title and must either apply directly or sign a written authorization. A surviving spouse or estate executor can apply with proof of relationship and death certificate.

What you'll need

• A completed Form MV-1 with the "Duplicate Title" box checked.
• Your Georgia driver's license or state ID.
• The license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• If a lien is on file, a lien release from the lender or a notarized authorization for the duplicate to issue with the lien still recorded.
• Payment of the $8 duplicate-title fee (cash, check, money order, or card with a small processing fee).

How to apply

In person

Bring the completed MV-1 and supporting documents to your county Tag and Title Office. The clerk processes the application on the spot; the duplicate title is mailed from MVD Atlanta in 7-10 business days. Some counties offer a same-day duplicate service for an additional $10 expedite fee.

By mail

Mail the MV-1 with the $8 fee to the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division, Atlanta. Allow 4-6 weeks for the duplicate to ship. Mail-in applications work well when the title is needed for a later sale rather than urgently.

Through DRIVES e-Services

The DRIVES portal accepts duplicate-title applications when no lien is currently recorded and the registered owner's name and address haven't changed. Most owners don't qualify if the vehicle has been financed at any point in the past 5 years. The fee is $8 with electronic payment.

Damaged or incorrect title

If the existing title is torn, water-damaged, or shows wrong information (typo on the name, wrong address, etc.), you can either request a duplicate (clean replacement) or a corrected title. The corrected-title path uses Form MV-7 with supporting documentation; the fee is the same $8. Use a corrected title when the existing physical title is intact but contains a fixable error; use the duplicate when the title is missing or unreadable.

Title with a lien holder

When a lien is recorded against the vehicle, the duplicate title is sent directly to the lien holder, not to the owner. To get the title in your hands, you'll need to either pay off the loan in full and request a lien release, or have the lender authorize the duplicate to issue to the owner with the lien still on file. Most lenders charge $25-$75 for a lien release.

Selling a vehicle while waiting for a duplicate

You cannot legally transfer ownership of a Georgia vehicle without the original or duplicate title in hand. If you've lost the title and need to sell:

• Apply for the duplicate first.
• Wait for it to arrive.
• Then complete the title transfer with the new buyer.

Selling with only a bill of sale or photocopy of the title leaves the buyer unable to register the vehicle, which usually means the sale is unwound.

Address change before requesting a duplicate

The duplicate is mailed to whatever address is on file with MVD. If you've moved recently, complete the address change first, give the system 48 hours to update, and then submit the MV-1.

For broader title questions, see the national registration guide.