Georgia renews license tags by mail, online, or in person at your county tag office

Georgia sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your tag expires. You can renew using that notice and a check or credit card, either by mailing the form back or by going online to the Georgia Department of Revenue website. If you prefer to renew in person, you can visit your county tag office with your notice and payment method. The renewal process itself takes minutes, but mailed renewals can take two to three weeks to arrive.

Your renewal notice shows your current tag number, the renewal fee, and the expiration date. Keep driving with your current tag until the new one arrives — you are not breaking the law during that window. If you lose the renewal notice, you can still renew online or call your county tag office to request a duplicate.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia mails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration; the notice includes the fee amount and a payment method.
  • You can renew online at the Georgia Department of Revenue website, by mail using the notice, or in person at your county tag office.
  • Online renewal is the fastest option and takes effect when ready; mailed renewals take two to three weeks for the physical tag to arrive.
  • Your current tag remains valid while you wait for the new one, so there is no gap in legal driving.
  • If you do not receive a notice, you can renew anyway by contacting your county tag office or using the online system with your vehicle information.

Renewing online through the Georgia Department of Revenue

The Georgia Department of Revenue website lets you renew your tag without leaving home. Go to the online renewal portal, enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) and tag number, and pay by credit or debit card. The system confirms your renewal when ready, and you can print a temporary tag receipt if you need proof of renewal before the physical tag arrives.

Online renewal works best if you have not had any changes to your vehicle registration — no address change, no ownership change, and no lien holder changes. If your registration information has changed, you may need to visit the tag office in person or call ahead to update it before renewing online.

Mailing in your renewal notice

If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can send it back with a check or money order. Write your tag number on the check, include the notice, and mail both to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash through the mail. Allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery of your new tag.

Keep a copy of the notice or take a photo of it before mailing, in case it gets lost. You can track your renewal by calling your county tag office once you have mailed it — they can tell you whether it has been received and processed.

Renewing in person at your county tag office

Every Georgia county has a tag office where you can renew face-to-face. Bring your renewal notice, a valid form of payment (check, cash, or card), and your driver's license. The office will process your renewal on the spot and issue your new tag when ready in most cases, or mail it to you within a few days.

Tag office hours and locations vary by county. Search online for "[your county name] Georgia tag office" to find the address, phone number, and hours. Some counties offer multiple locations, and a few allow you to renew at certain motor vehicle service centers as well. Calling ahead can save you a trip if the office is unusually busy.

What happens if your tag expires before renewal arrives

If you mailed your renewal and the new tag has not arrived by the expiration date, you are still protected during a grace period. Georgia law allows you to drive on an expired tag for a short time after the expiration date if you have proof that you have renewed — your mailed notice or a printed confirmation from online renewal counts as proof.

If a police officer stops you, show them your renewal confirmation or the mailed notice. However, do not rely on this grace period; if your tag is more than a few days overdue, renew online or visit the tag office to get a temporary tag or expedited renewal. Driving on a significantly overdue tag can result in a citation.

Renewal fees and what they cover

Georgia license tag renewal fees vary based on your vehicle type and county. A standard passenger vehicle tag costs between $20 and $30 for the renewal itself, though some counties add local fees. Your renewal notice shows the exact amount due for your vehicle and county.

The renewal fee covers your tag for one year from the expiration date on your current tag. If your tag expires on June 30, your new tag will expire on June 30 of the following year. Some vehicles — commercial trucks, trailers, or specialty tags — have different fee structures; your notice will specify if that applies to you.

If you did not receive a renewal notice

Renewal notices sometimes get lost in the mail or sent to an old address. If you did not receive one, contact your county tag office directly with your tag number and VIN. They can tell you your expiration date, the renewal fee, and either mail you a duplicate notice or process your renewal over the phone.

You can also renew online without the notice if you have your VIN and current tag number. The Georgia Department of Revenue website will pull up your registration and let you pay the renewal fee. If you have moved recently and your address on file is outdated, update it at the tag office before renewing to make sure future notices reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia tag before the expiration date?

Yes. You can renew anytime after you receive the renewal notice, which arrives about 60 days before expiration. Renewing early does not shorten the life of your new tag — it still lasts one year from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew.

What if my vehicle registration information changed since my last renewal?

If you moved, changed your name, added or removed a lien holder, or changed ownership, contact your county tag office before renewing. Some changes require a form or in-person visit. Online renewal may not process if your registration has outstanding changes, so calling ahead saves time.

Do I need to inspect my vehicle before renewing the tag?

No. Georgia does not require a vehicle inspection for tag renewal. You only need an inspection if you are registering a vehicle for the first time, registering an out-of-state vehicle in Georgia, or if your vehicle has been out of service for a long time.

How long does it take to get my new tag after I renew?

Online renewal takes effect when ready — you can print a receipt as proof. Mailed renewals take two to three weeks for the physical tag to arrive. In-person renewal at the tag office usually gives you the tag the same day or within a few days by mail, depending on the county.

What if I lose my renewal notice?

You do not need the notice to renew. Call your county tag office with your tag number and VIN, or renew online using the Georgia Department of Revenue website. The office can mail you a duplicate notice, process your renewal by phone, or direct you to the online system.