Georgia requires a bill of sale for car transfers, but it is not the same as a title transfer
A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a car and the buyer received it. In Georgia, a bill of sale documents the transaction between you and the buyer — it shows who owned the car, who owns it now, the sale price, and the date. It is not a government form and does not transfer ownership by itself. The actual ownership transfer happens through the Georgia Department of Revenue, which processes the title.
Georgia law does not require a bill of sale to be notarized, but having one signed by both the seller and buyer protects both parties. The bill of sale becomes your proof that you sold the car and received payment. For the buyer, it is proof they purchased it. Without one, either party can later dispute who owned the car on a given date or what was agreed to at the time of sale.
You can write a bill of sale on plain paper, use a template, or purchase a pre-printed form from an office supply store. The Georgia Department of Revenue does not provide an official bill of sale form, but any document that includes the required information will work.
Key Takeaways
- A Georgia bill of sale must include the seller's and buyer's names and addresses, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date of sale.
- Both the seller and buyer should sign the bill of sale, and having it notarized adds legal weight if a dispute arises later.
- The bill of sale is separate from the title transfer — you must file the title with the Georgia Department of Revenue for the buyer to become the legal owner.
- Keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records; the buyer should keep one as well.
What information must be on a Georgia bill of sale
The bill of sale should include the seller's full name and address, the buyer's full name and address, and the date of the sale. It must also contain the vehicle's complete identification number (VIN), which appears on the dashboard and on the title document. Include the make, model, and year of the vehicle so there is no confusion about which car was sold.
The sale price must be stated on the bill of sale. Write the actual amount paid, even if it is a gift or a trade-in. If the car is being given as a gift, write "gift" or "$0" and make that clear. The odometer reading at the time of sale should also be included, as this is part of Georgia's odometer disclosure law.
Both the seller and the buyer should sign and date the bill of sale. Some people add a line for a witness signature as well, though this is not required. If you have the document notarized, the notary will add their seal and signature, which strengthens the document's legal standing.
How to create a bill of sale in Georgia
Start with a blank sheet of paper or a template you find online or purchase. At the top, write "Bill of Sale" or "Vehicle Bill of Sale." Then list the seller's information, the buyer's information, and the vehicle details in a clear format. You do not need to follow a specific layout — the document just needs to be readable and include all required information.
Write out the sale price in both numbers and words (for example, "One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00)"). Include the odometer reading and the date of sale. Leave space for both the seller and buyer to sign and print their names. If you want a witness, add a line for their signature as well.
Once both parties have signed, make at least two copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Keep your copy in a safe place. The buyer will need their copy when they go to register the vehicle with the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Notarization and legal weight
Georgia does not require a bill of sale to be notarized for it to be valid. A notarized bill of sale, however, carries more legal weight if there is ever a dispute about the sale. A notary public verifies the identity of the people signing and witnesses their signatures, which makes it harder for someone to later claim they did not sign the document or that it was forged.
If you want to notarize the bill of sale, take it to a notary public along with a photo ID. The notary will charge a small fee, usually between $5 and $15. Many banks, credit unions, and UPS stores offer notary services. Both the seller and buyer should be present when the document is notarized, though some notaries will notarize it if only one party is present.
What happens after you sign the bill of sale
Once you and the buyer have signed the bill of sale, the buyer must take it to the Georgia Department of Revenue to transfer the title into their name. The buyer will also need the original title document, a completed Form MV-1 (process for Title and Registration), proof of insurance, and payment for the title transfer fee. The fee varies depending on the vehicle's value.
You, as the seller, should keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records. It proves you sold the car and when. If the buyer later gets into an accident or receives a traffic ticket in the vehicle, having the bill of sale shows you no longer owned it at that time. You should also notify your insurance company that you sold the vehicle so they can cancel your policy.
The buyer becomes the legal owner once the Georgia Department of Revenue processes the title transfer and issues a new title in their name. Until that happens, you remain the registered owner on the state's records, even though you have sold the car. This is why it is important to have the signed bill of sale — it protects you if something happens to the vehicle before the title is officially transferred.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not leave the sale price blank or write "as is" without a dollar amount. The price must be stated, even if it is a gift. Leaving it blank creates confusion and can make the document look incomplete or suspicious.
Do not forget to include the VIN. Without it, there is no way to prove which specific vehicle was sold. The VIN is the most important piece of information on the bill of sale.
Do not sign the bill of sale before the buyer does, and do not let the buyer take the original before you have made a copy. Keep your copy in a safe place. If you sign first and the buyer never signs, you have a one-sided document that does not prove anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a car in Georgia without a bill of sale?
Georgia law does not require a bill of sale to transfer a car, but it is strongly recommended. Without one, you have no written proof you sold the vehicle. If the buyer later gets a ticket or is in an accident, you could be held liable because the title is still in your name. A bill of sale protects both parties.
What if the buyer does not transfer the title right away?
You remain the registered owner until the buyer files the title transfer with the Georgia Department of Revenue. If the buyer gets a ticket or is in an accident before transferring the title, you may be contacted. This is why you should keep your copy of the signed bill of sale — it proves you sold the car and when. You can also contact the Georgia Department of Revenue to report the sale if you are concerned.
Do I need to notarize the bill of sale if I am selling to a family member?
Notarization is not required, even for family sales. However, it is still a good idea to have a signed bill of sale, notarized or not. It protects both you and the family member by creating a clear record of the transaction.
What if I lost the original title and need to sell the car?
You will need to get a duplicate title from the Georgia Department of Revenue before you can sell the car. You can request one by mail or in person. Once you have the duplicate, you can proceed with the bill of sale and title transfer as normal.