What you need to do to transfer a car title in Georgia
In Georgia, you transfer a car title by submitting Form T-7 (process for Title) to the Georgia Department of Revenue, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about two weeks if you mail it in, or you can complete it in person at a county tag office. You will need the current title (or a release from the lien holder if the car has a loan), a signed bill of sale from the seller, and your driver's license or ID.
Georgia does not require a vehicle inspection before title transfer, and you do not need to register the car at the same time — though most people do both together. The fee for a title transfer is $18 as of the most recent update, though this can change. If the car is financed, the lender's name appears on the title, and you cannot complete the transfer until they sign a release or the loan is paid off.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit Form T-7 to the Georgia Department of Revenue along with the current title, a signed bill of sale, and $18.
- If the car has a loan, the lender must sign a release or the loan must be paid off before the title can transfer to you.
- You can mail your documents to the Department of Revenue or submit them in person at any county tag office.
- The process typically takes about two weeks by mail, though county offices can sometimes process requests faster if you go in person.
- Georgia does not require a vehicle inspection before title transfer, but you will need to register the car separately if you plan to drive it.
Gathering the documents you need
Start by collecting the current title from the seller. If the title is held by a lender (because the car is financed), ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release or payoff letter. The lender will either sign the back of the title or provide a separate document releasing their claim. You cannot proceed without this.
Next, get a bill of sale signed by the seller. Georgia does not have an official form, but you can use any bill of sale that includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date, and signatures from both buyer and seller. Many county tag offices provide a blank bill of sale form you can use, or you can write one yourself. The bill of sale proves you bought the car and protects both you and the seller.
You will also need a valid driver's license or state ID, and the current registration (though this is not required for the title transfer itself). If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from the Georgia Department of Revenue before selling the car to you, or you can request one after you own it — though requesting it before transfer is simpler.
Completing Form T-7
Form T-7 is a one-page process for title. You can read it from the Georgia Department of Revenue website or pick one up at a county tag office. Fill in your name, address, and driver's license number in the buyer section. Enter the vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year) exactly as it appears on the current title.
In the seller section, enter the seller's name and address. If there is a lien holder, enter their name and address as well. Sign and date the form. You do not need the seller to sign Form T-7 itself — their signature on the bill of sale is what proves they authorized the sale. If you are buying the car from a dealer rather than a private seller, the dealer will usually fill out and submit the form for you.
Where to submit your documents
You have two options: mail your documents to the Georgia Department of Revenue, or take them in person to a county tag office. The mailing address is on Form T-7 itself. Include the completed form, the current title, the bill of sale, the lien release (if applicable), a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for $18 made out to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
If you go in person, bring the originals of all documents plus your ID. County tag offices are located in each county courthouse or in separate county offices — search "tag office" plus your county name to find the nearest one. Going in person usually means you can walk out with a temporary registration that day, though the permanent title arrives by mail in about two weeks.
Do not send cash by mail. If you pay in person, most offices accept cash, check, or card, though payment methods vary by location — call ahead if you are unsure.
Timeline and what happens next
If you mail your documents, expect the new title to arrive in about two weeks. The Georgia Department of Revenue processes applications in the order they are received. If you submit in person at a county tag office, they can often process your request the same day and issue a temporary registration on the spot, though the permanent title still arrives by mail.
Once your title arrives, it will be in your name. If there is a lien holder, their name will appear on the title as well, and you will not receive a physical copy until the loan is paid off. At that point, you can request a new title with only your name on it.
If you need to register the car to drive it on Georgia roads, you can do that at the same county tag office, either before or after the title transfer. Registration is a separate process and costs vary depending on the vehicle weight and type.
What to do if the title is held by a lender
If the car is financed, the lender's name appears on the title as a lienholder. You cannot transfer the title to yourself alone until the lender releases their claim. Ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release. Some lenders provide this as a separate document; others sign the back of the title itself.
If the seller is paying off the loan as part of the sale, the lender may send the release directly to you or to the Georgia Department of Revenue. Make sure you have the release in hand before you submit your title transfer documents. If the release is missing, the Department of Revenue will reject your process and return it to you.
If the seller cannot get the lien release, do not complete the purchase. A car with an outstanding lien cannot be transferred to you, and you could end up in a legal dispute with both the seller and the lender.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is submitting the process without the lien release if the car is financed. Double-check with the seller that the lender has signed off before you mail anything. Another frequent error is entering the VIN or vehicle information incorrectly — copy it exactly as it appears on the current title, character for character.
Do not assume the bill of sale is optional. Georgia requires it, and the Department of Revenue will reject applications without one. Make sure both you and the seller sign and date it. If you are buying from a private seller and they seem unwilling to sign a bill of sale, that is a red flag — a legitimate seller will have no problem providing one.
Finally, do not mail cash. Use a check or money order, and keep a copy of everything you send. If your process gets lost in the mail, you will have proof of what you submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the car before the title transfer is complete?
No, not legally. You need either the current title in your name or a temporary registration. If you submit in person at a county tag office, they can issue a temporary registration the same day. If you mail your process, ask the seller if you can use their registration temporarily, or wait until you have your temporary registration before driving the car.
What if the seller lost the title?
The seller can request a duplicate title from the Georgia Department of Revenue before selling the car to you. They will need to fill out Form T-7 and pay $18. This takes about two weeks. Alternatively, you can request a duplicate after you own the car, but it is easier if the seller does it first so you can transfer directly from the duplicate.
Do I need to get the car inspected before transferring the title?
No. Georgia does not require a vehicle inspection for title transfer. You may want to have a mechanic inspect the car before you buy it to make sure it is in good condition, but that is separate from the title transfer process.
What if I buy the car from a dealer instead of a private seller?
Dealers in Georgia are required to handle the title transfer for you as part of the sale. They will submit Form T-7 and all documents to the Department of Revenue on your behalf. You will still need to provide your driver's license and sign the paperwork, but the dealer manages the filing and payment.
How long does the title stay valid once I receive it?
A Georgia title does not expire. Once it is issued in your name, it remains valid as long as you own the car. If you sell the car later, you will sign the back of the title and give it to the new owner, who will then submit their own Form T-7 to transfer it to their name.