All Transactions Require:

• Valid Georgia Insurance
• Valid Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID reflecting a Richmond County address (non-resident military are exempt)
• An original notarized power of attorney and a copy of the driver’s license/ID from any owner not present at the time of registration (If applicable)

Purchased from a Dealership

In most cases when vehicles are purchased from a dealership, the dealer will submit the necessary documents to apply for the title. The title application must be processed prior to the registration being issued or at the same time the registration is issued.

If notification of title status has not been received within 25 days from the date of purchase, contact the dealer.

Once the title has been processed, the following are required to obtain a license plate:

• All required documents (listed at the top of the page)
• For leased vehicles, the original lease agreement

Effective July 1, 2015: Brand new vehicles purchased (i.e., one that has never been sold for retail) have the option of  receiving a two-year registration for a $40 fee (standard plates only). This only applies at initial registration on passenger vehicles designed to carry 10 passengers or less.

Purchased from an Individual or Business

Vehicles purchased from an individual or business (other than a dealer) in a casual/private sale, are required to be titled and registered within seven business days from the purchase date.

When the seller has provided a title properly assigned to the new owner(s) the following are required to complete the title transfer:

• All required documents (listed at the top of the page)
• Copy of the bill of sale from the seller
• Original Certificate of Title
• Other documentation may be required upon review of the paperwork

Note: All title transfers must be done in the purchaser’s county of residence. Typically, lienholders will submit the necessary documents to apply for titles on financed vehicles.  

New Residents to Georgia

For vehicles registered out of state, the following are required to obtain a Georgia title and registration:

• The current out of state title or current out of state registration (if there is a lienholder)
  • Residents coming from the following states must submit the title: Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, or Wisconsin
• All required documents (listed at the top of the page)
• Lienholder’s name, address and account number if applicable

Note:  New residents to Georgia are required to register and title their motor vehicle and pay TAVT within 30 days of moving to the state.  If there is a lienholder recorded on the title, the Georgia title will be printed and mailed to the lienholder.  If there is NO lienholder recorded on the title, the Georgia title will be printed and mailed to the registered owner.

For information on how to obtain a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia identification card, visit the Department of Driver Services website.