If you are not sure when your car registration must be renewed in Georgia, your license plates, renewal decals or tags were probably lost, stolen or damaged. There are procedures for replacing just the certificate of renewal and others for replacing your tags or plates. If they were lost in the mail, you will not have to pay a fee to replace them. Since it is required by law in Georgia that drivers carry proof of vehicle registration, it is important to replace any missing tags or certificates as quickly as possible.
Report the loss of your license plates or decals to local law enforcement. Request a copy of this report. This is for your protection, since someone could potentially falsify your registration for another vehicle.
Fill out the application for replacement documentation. If you need to replace only your certificate of registration, fill out form MV-5, the Application for a Replacement Registration Certificate. If you need to replace the tags or plates, fill out form MV-7, the Application for Replacement License Plate (Tag) and/or Decal. Fill the appropriate form out electronically or print legibly in black or blue ink.
Sign the documents. For a replacement registration certificate, only the signature of the current owner or all registered owners are required. A dealer may also request a replacement on the owner’s behalf. To replace the license plates or tags, you must sign in the presence of a notary public and have them notarize the form. There will usually be a fee from the notary.
Submit appropriate documentation to your County Tax Commissioner’s office. Form MV-7 must be accompanied by an $8 fee, and form MV-5 requires only a $1 fee.
