Cobb County Tax Commissioners Office

Titling a Vehicle

Most vehicles require a title in order to prove your ownership of that vehicle.

Vehicles that require a registration and a title:

  • Passenger vehicles
  • Buses
  • 1986 and newer model vehicles
  • Trucks and cargo vehicles
  • Travel trailers, campers and horse trailers
  • Motor homes
  • Trailers weighing more than 2,000 pounds

 

Vehicles that require a registration only:

  • 1962 and older model vehicles
  • Boats and boat trailers
  • Homemade trailers
  • Utility trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less
  • 1963 - 1985 model vehicles (Titling is optional)

Vehicles that require no registration or title in Georgia:

  • Out-of-State student/business vehicles
  • Mopeds
  • Off Road Vehicles
  • Self-propelled wheelchairs or invalid tricycles

 

Applying for a Title

If you purchased a vehicle from a Georgia dealership, they are required by law to collect Title Ad Valorem Taxes (TAVT) and certain state fees and remit them to our office through the Georgia Electronic and Registration system.

If you purchased your vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, they may mail your title to us on your behalf at 2932 Canton Rd, Ste 300, Marietta, GA 30066; however, some out-of-state dealerships may be unaware of Georgia’s TAVT process and may not collect taxes. Please check with your selling dealership if buying out-of-state for further details.

If your Georgia dealership did not collect tag fees and they have informed you that you may purchase your tag, you can order your tag today online!

If you purchased your vehicle from a business (other than a Georgia dealership) or individual – known as a “casual sale” – you must apply for a new title and registration within seven days of the sale. We require all new owners of the vehicle to be present to sign the title application.

When only applying for a title, you will generally need the following:

  • Title (or Bill of Sale if no title is required)
  • A Georgia driver’s license for each new owner
  • $18.00 for the title fee
  • Payment for Title Ad Valorem Tax


You can calculate the TAVT and any estimated penalties for casual and dealer sales based on the purchase date.

Notice

When you purchase, lease or move a vehicle to Georgia, you must title your vehicle within 30 days. If you purchase a vehicle from an individual, law enforcement requires you to title your vehicle within 7 business days.

After the 30-day deadline, late fees will be assessed as follows:

  • $10.00 added to the title fee
  • 10% of the TAVT added (5% for dealerships)
  • 1% interest for every extra month you are late (5% for dealerships)

Lost Titles

If you have lost your Georgia title, you may request a replacement by submitting a completed title application along with your check or money order and a copy of your ID to 2932 Canton Rd, Ste 300, Marietta, GA 30066. Please be sure that all owners have signed the application. Alternatively, you may visit one of our Motor Vehicle Offices to request a replacement.  The cost for a replacement title is $8.00. All owners must be present to sign the application. Please allow 7 - 10 business days after application to receive your replacement title through the mail. If you need a replacement title sooner, you may visit the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division in Atlanta for an expedited title*.

If you were making payments on your vehicle and you did not receive a title from your lien holder, you will need a lien release from them before applying.  A lien release simply says that you paid off your car loan.

*Additional fees apply.

New Residents and Lost Titles
If you just moved from another state and you lost your out-of-state title, you need to contact the last state where your vehicle was registered for a replacement title.

If you were making payments on your vehicle, your lien holder might not have the title. Some states send the title to you even though you have a lien.

These states include:

  • Arizona (purchased before 1/1/2003)
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri (purchased after 7/1/2003)
  • Montana
  • New York
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

If this is the case and you lost your out-of-state title, you need to contact the last state where your vehicle was registered for a replacement title.

Filling Out a Title
For reference, this is what a Georgia Certificate of Title looks like:
TitleDiagram

Read Every Title Carefully 

Titles from other states will be designed differently, but the information required is often the same. Erasures, whiteout, blackout, and scribbles will void a title. Mistakes may require extra forms to correct what someone wrote incorrectly. If you do not know what to write or do, call us or come into the office and our clerks will help you.

Instructions for Filling Out a Title

  1. Look at the front of the title. Make sure any listed lien holders have filled in box (C).
    • If the lien has not been signed off, you will need a lien release from the previous owner's lien holder.
       
  2. Flip the title over to the back.
     
  3. Make sure all owners on the front of the title have printed their names and signed on lines (6) and (7).
     
  4. Print your full legal name (just like it is on your driver’s license) on line (1).
    • If you have changed your name, you will need a court document showing that change (i.e. Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree or Change of Name).
       
  5. Print your current residential address on lines (2) and (3).
    • If you have a mailing address, you will write that on the Title Application.
       
  6. Write the date you purchased your vehicle one line (4).
    • If you make a mistake, any correction adds a $10.00 penalty. Wait until you come into the office before making a correction to the purchase date.
       
  7. Write the current mileage on line (5).
    • If you make a mistake, stop. Do not mark out the mileage. So long as the mileage on the back of the title is more than the mileage on the front of the title, we will accept that amount.
       
    • If you wrote your mileage less than what is on the front of the title, relax. We have an affidavit to correct the problem.
       
  8. Print your full legal name (just like it is on your driver’s license) on line (8).
     
  9. Sign your name (however you normally sign) on line (9).
    • If you are making payments on the vehicle, write the name and address of the person or company to whom you are sending your payments on lines (10) and (11).