Transferring a Georgia Vehicle Title
A Georgia title transfer happens at the buyer's county Tag and Title Office. The buyer brings the seller-signed title, completes Form MV-1, and pays the $18 title fee plus the 7% Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) on the vehicle's fair market value. The seller has a separate obligation: file Form MV-3 within 7 days of the sale to release liability.
Seller's responsibilities
- Sign and date the back of the certificate of title in the assignment block.
- Disclose the current odometer reading on the title (or on a Federal Odometer Disclosure if the title has no section).
- Hand over the title and a bill of sale (recommended; not strictly required by the state).
- File Form MV-3 (Notice of Vehicle Sold) online at DRIVES e-Services within 7 days of the sale to release future liability.
Buyer's responsibilities
Within 30 days of the purchase, the buyer brings the following to their county Tag and Title Office:
- The signed-over Certificate of Title from the seller.
- A completed Form MV-1 Title and Registration Application.
- A bill of sale with the purchase price (used as a TAVT input).
- An odometer disclosure if not already on the title.
- Proof of Georgia liability insurance meeting 25/50/25.
- Your Georgia driver's license or state ID.
- An emissions test certificate if the vehicle's registered to a 13-county Atlanta-metro address and is subject to emissions.
- Payment of TAVT (7% of fair market value), the $18 title fee, and the $20 annual registration fee.
Calculating TAVT
The TAVT is calculated on the higher of the purchase price or the state's published Fair Market Value table. For example:
| Scenario | FMV input | TAVT |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 used car, $15,000 purchase, $14,500 table value | $15,000 | $1,050 |
| 2018 used car, $14,000 purchase, $14,500 table value | $14,500 | $1,015 |
| 2024 new car, $32,000 dealer price | $32,000 | $2,240 |
| 2010 older car, $5,000 purchase | $5,000 minimum | $350 |
Family transfers and gifts
Transfers between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling) can pay a reduced TAVT of 0.5% of fair market value instead of the full 7%. The relationship must be documented on the MV-1 and supported with a copy of a birth or marriage certificate. True gift transfers (no money exchanged) between non-family parties still pay the full 7% TAVT on the state's fair market value figure.
Title transfer with a lien
If the vehicle has an outstanding loan, the buyer cannot title in their name until the lien is released. The seller obtains a lien release from the lender — typically a notarized statement on lender letterhead, plus the original title. Georgia then issues a new title in the buyer's name and records any new lien from the buyer's lender. Most lenders charge $25-$75 for a lien release letter.
Out-of-state titles
A vehicle moving into Georgia with an out-of-state title still requires the buyer to surrender the original title, complete Form MV-1, pay TAVT on the state's fair market value table (purchase price isn't used for out-of-state arrivals), pass any required emissions inspection, and pay the $18 title fee. Out-of-state titles must be the original — Georgia will not accept a photocopy. If your previous state didn't issue titles (Vermont registration-only), you'll need a Form T-22B Georgia State Patrol inspection.
Salvage and rebuilt titles
A vehicle declared a total loss receives a Georgia salvage title via Form MV-1 marked "salvage." To return to the road, the owner repairs the vehicle, passes a Georgia State Patrol inspection (Form T-22B), and applies for a Rebuilt title using MV-1. The salvage history stays on the record permanently — Georgia does not "wash" titles back to clean.
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