What you need to do to transfer a car title to a family member in Georgia
To transfer a car title to a family member in Georgia, you fill out a form called the process for Certificate of Title (Form T-7), get the signature of both the current owner and the new owner, and submit it to your county's Department of Driver Services office along with the current title and a small fee. The process takes about two weeks once the office receives your paperwork. You do not need to go through a dealership or a third party — you can do this directly with your family member.
Georgia does not charge sales tax when you transfer a title between family members, which is one reason this process is simpler than a regular sale. However, you still need to prove ownership and follow the state's steps exactly, or the transfer will be rejected and you will have to resubmit.
Key Takeaways
- You need the original title, the process for Certificate of Title (Form T-7), and signatures from both the current owner and the new owner.
- Submit your paperwork to the Department of Driver Services office in the county where the car is registered, not online.
- Georgia does not charge sales tax on title transfers between family members, but you will pay a small title transfer fee (usually under $20).
- The new owner's name will appear on the new title in about two weeks, but you should not drive the car until you have the new title in hand.
- If the title is lost or damaged, you must get a replacement from the Department of Driver Services before you can transfer it.
What documents and information you need to gather first
Before you go to the Department of Driver Services office, collect the original title, the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the dashboard or the current title, and the full legal names and dates of birth for both the current owner and the new owner. If either person has recently changed their name, bring a copy of the legal document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
You will also need to know which county the car is currently registered in. This is the county where you must submit the paperwork. If the car is registered in a different county than where you live, you can mail the documents or make a trip to that office.
If the title has a lien on it — meaning a bank or lender still owns part of the car — the lender must sign off on the transfer. Contact your lender and ask them to provide a lien release letter or to sign the title itself. Without this, the transfer cannot be completed.
How to fill out Form T-7 correctly
The process for Certificate of Title is a one-page form. You can read it from the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or pick up a copy at any county office. Fill in the vehicle information section with the VIN, make, model, and year. In the owner information section, write the current owner's full legal name, date of birth, and address.
Below that, fill in the new owner's information in the same format. If the new owner will be the sole owner, write their name alone. If two family members will own the car together, list both names and specify whether they own it as "joint tenants" or "tenants in common" — joint tenants means the car passes to the other owner if one dies, while tenants in common means each owner's share goes to their own estate. Most family transfers use joint tenants.
Both the current owner and the new owner must sign the form in front of a notary public or a Department of Driver Services employee. You cannot sign it yourself and have the other person sign it later. Some county offices will notarize for free, but call ahead to confirm.
Where to submit your paperwork and what happens next
Take the completed Form T-7, the original title, and your payment to the Department of Driver Services office in the county where the car is registered. You can find the address and hours on the Georgia DDS website by searching for your county. Bring a photo ID.
The fee for a title transfer is typically under $20, but the exact amount varies slightly by county. Call your local office before you go to confirm the current fee and whether they accept cash, check, or card.
Once the office receives your paperwork, they will process it and mail the new title to the new owner's address within two weeks. During this time, the car is still registered to the old owner on the state's records. Do not drive the car on public roads until you have the new title in hand — if you are stopped by police, you will not be able to prove ownership.
What to do if the title is lost, damaged, or has a lien
If the current title is lost or too damaged to read, you must get a replacement before you can transfer it. Go to the Department of Driver Services office with your photo ID and proof of ownership — a registration card, insurance documents, or a loan statement all work. Pay the replacement fee (usually under $10) and they will issue a new title on the spot or mail it within a few days.
If the title has a lien, contact the lender and ask for a lien release. Some lenders will mail you a release letter; others will sign the title itself. Once you have the release in writing, include it with your Form T-7 when you submit. The lender does not need to be present, but their written consent must be in the file.
Transferring a title when the original owner has died
If the car owner has died and you are transferring the title to a family member, the process is different. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and either a will that names the new owner or a court document showing who has the legal right to the car. This might be a probate order, a small estate affidavit, or a succession document, depending on whether the estate went through probate.
Bring these documents to the Department of Driver Services along with Form T-7. The deceased owner's signature is not required, but you will need to show that you have the legal authority to transfer the car. If you are unsure whether you have the right documents, call the office ahead of time and describe your situation — they can tell you what you need.
Common mistakes that delay or reject transfers
The most common reason a transfer is rejected is that the signatures are not notarized or witnessed by a Department of Driver Services employee. Even if both people sign the form, it will be sent back if there is no notary stamp or DDS employee signature. Always confirm with your local office whether they will notarize for free before you fill out the form.
Another frequent mistake is writing a nickname or informal name instead of the legal name that appears on the title and driver's license. The names must match exactly. If the current owner's name on the title is "Robert" but they go by "Bob," write "Robert" on the form.
A third issue is submitting the paperwork to the wrong county office. The car must be transferred through the county where it is currently registered, not where the new owner lives. Check your current registration card to find the right county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay sales tax when I transfer a title to a family member?
No. Georgia does not charge sales tax on title transfers between family members. You only pay the title transfer fee, which is usually under $20. However, if you later sell the car to someone outside the family, the new buyer will owe sales tax on the purchase price.
Can I transfer the title if the car has a loan on it?
Yes, but the lender must release the lien first. Contact your lender and ask for a lien release letter or have them sign the title. Without the release, the Department of Driver Services will not process the transfer because the lender still has a legal claim to the car.
What if I mail the paperwork instead of going in person?
You can mail Form T-7, the title, and your payment to the county office, but both the current owner and new owner must have their signatures notarized before you mail it. Include a cover letter with your name and phone number so the office can contact you if there are questions. Mail it certified with return receipt so you know it arrived.
How long does it take to get the new title after I submit the paperwork?
The Department of Driver Services usually mails the new title within two weeks of receiving your completed paperwork. During this time, the car is still registered to the old owner. Do not drive it on public roads until you have the new title in hand.
What happens if I lose the new title after the transfer is complete?
You can get a replacement title from the Department of Driver Services office in the county where the car is registered. Bring your photo ID and proof of ownership (registration card, insurance documents, or loan statement). The replacement fee is usually under $10.