A motor vehicle title, often called a "car title," is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. In Georgia, a title is required for most personal vehicles newer than 1985. Financed vehicles will indicate the lien holder's information as well as the owner's information.
The following vehicles require a title if they were manufactured in 1986 or later: motor vehicles, motorcycles and scooters with engines larger than 49 cc, travel trailers, car/tow dollies weighing over 2,000 pounds, campers, mobile homes and manufactured homes. No title is required for: vehicles from model year 1962 or older, agricultural vehicles, watercraft, buses and mopeds. Georgia titles are optional for motor vehicles manufactured between 1963 and 1985 but are only issued if the owner has an existing title in his name or a valid title transferred to his name by a previous owner.
When purchasing a new vehicle from a dealership, title paperwork is usually completed by the dealer. However, if you need to obtain a title, you must go to the tag office in the county where you live. You must bring a completed MVD Title/Tag Application, Form MV-1 (available at the tag office or online), a manufacturer's certificate of origin, proof of insurance, proof of residency, a driver's license or ID card, and proof that the vehicle has passed an emissions inspection, if required. Payment for all fees and taxes is due at time of title application and is payable by cash, check or money order. Fees and taxes will vary by vehicle. Applications placed more than 30 days after the vehicle is purchased will incur late fees.
When purchasing a used car from a dealer, the dealership will often complete titling paperwork. Private sales and some dealer sales require the buyer to complete the title transfer process himself. Application for a title transfer may be made at the county tag office where the new owner lives. Applicants must bring a completed MVD Title/Tag Application, Form MV-1 (available at the tag office or online), proof of transfer, a passed emissions test and proof of insurance. All fees and taxes are payable at the time of application.
If you lose or damage your car title, you can apply for a replacement at your local county tag office or at the Customer Service Operations division of the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division. You will need to bring a completed MVD Title/Tag Application, Form MV-1 (available at the tag office or online) and an original copy of all lien releases against the vehicle. As of 2010, the fee for a replacement title is $8 payable by cash, check or money order. Replacement titles will be mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. Additional fees may apply when using the Customer Service Operation division's "while you wait" service.
New residents of Georgia must transfer the tags and titles for all vehicles to Georgia within 30 days. Apply at the tag office in the county of residence and bring a completed MVD Title/Tag Application, Form MV-1 (available at the tag office or online), proof of ownership, certification of inspection, a passed emissions test and proof of insurance. All fees are payable at the time of application. Information on obtaining titles for abandoned, auctioned and repossessed vehicles can be found at http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov.
