Renewing your Georgia tag online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Georgia vehicle tag through the Georgia Department of Revenue website, by mail, or at a county tag office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your vehicle information hasn't changed. You'll need your current tag number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method. If you renew online or by mail before your tag expires, you'll receive your new tag in the mail within two weeks.

Georgia sends renewal notices 60 days before your tag expires, but you don't have to wait for the notice to renew. You can renew up to six months early. If your tag has already expired, you can still renew online or by mail, but you cannot legally drive the vehicle until the new tag arrives. Expired tags can result in a traffic stop and a fine.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Georgia Department of Revenue website is the fastest method and requires your current tag number, VIN, and a payment method.
  • You can renew by mail by returning your renewal notice with payment, or in person at your county tag office with your vehicle title and proof of insurance.
  • Georgia allows renewal up to six months before your tag expires, so you don't have to wait for the renewal notice to arrive.
  • If your vehicle information has changed — such as ownership, address, or lien holder — you may need to visit a tag office in person instead of renewing online.
  • New tags typically arrive within two weeks of online or mail renewal, but you cannot legally drive with an expired tag while waiting.

Renewing online through the Georgia Department of Revenue

The Georgia Department of Revenue website (dor.ga.gov) is the quickest way to renew. Go to the vehicle registration section and select "Renew a Vehicle Registration." You'll enter your current tag number, the vehicle's VIN, and your date of birth. The system will pull up your registration information and show you the renewal fee.

The renewal fee varies based on your vehicle's weight and type. Georgia charges a base registration fee plus a county tag fee that differs by county. You'll see the exact amount before you pay. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Once you complete the transaction, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new tag will be mailed to the address on file, and you should receive it within 10 to 14 business days.

Online renewal works only if your registration information is current and unchanged. If you've moved, changed your name, added or removed a lien holder, or made other changes to your registration, you'll need to renew in person at a tag office or contact the Department of Revenue before renewing online.

Renewing by mail with your renewal notice

When Georgia sends your renewal notice 60 days before expiration, it includes a return envelope and payment instructions. You can mail back the notice with a check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. Include the renewal notice itself — it has your registration number and vehicle information printed on it, which the Department of Revenue uses to process your renewal.

Mail renewals take longer than online renewal because of postal delivery time. Plan for five to seven business days for your payment to reach the Department of Revenue, plus another two weeks for your new tag to arrive. If your tag expires soon, mail renewal may not be fast enough. Online or in-person renewal is safer if you're close to your expiration date.

If you lose your renewal notice, you can still renew by mail by contacting the Georgia Department of Revenue at (855) 406-5221 to request a new notice, or you can renew online or in person instead.

Renewing in person at a county tag office

Every Georgia county has a tag office where you can renew in person. Bring your vehicle title, proof of insurance, and a photo ID. If your vehicle has a lien holder, bring the title showing the lien. You'll pay the renewal fee at the office, and in most cases you'll receive your new tag when ready or within a few days.

In-person renewal is necessary if your registration information has changed — for example, if you've moved to a different county, changed your name, added or removed a lien holder, or changed the vehicle's use from personal to commercial. The tag office staff can update your information and process the renewal at the same time.

To find your county tag office, search "Georgia tag office" plus your county name, or call the Georgia Department of Revenue. Office hours vary by location, and some offices are busier than others. Calling ahead can help you avoid a long wait.

What happens if your tag expires before the new one arrives

If you renew online or by mail and your tag expires before your new one arrives, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. A police officer can stop you for an expired tag and issue a citation. The fine for an expired tag in Georgia ranges depending on how long it has been expired, but it is a traffic violation that goes on your record.

If you're close to your expiration date and worried about timing, renew in person at a tag office instead. You'll get your new tag the same day or within a few days, which eliminates the wait. If your tag has already expired and you need to drive, you can purchase a temporary permit at the tag office that allows you to drive legally while your new tag is in the mail.

Renewing a tag for a vehicle with a lien

If your vehicle has a lien holder (usually a bank or credit union), your title shows the lien. You can still renew online as long as the lien holder information hasn't changed. If the lien has been paid off or if you've changed lien holders, you need to update your registration before renewing online. Visit a tag office in person with your title and proof that the lien was satisfied, or contact the Department of Revenue to update your information first.

If you're renewing by mail or in person, bring the title showing the current lien holder. The tag office or mail processing will verify that the lien information matches their records.

Renewing a tag for a vehicle you recently purchased

If you bought a vehicle recently and it has a Georgia tag from the previous owner, you need to transfer the title and registration into your name before you can renew the tag. This is a separate process from renewal. Visit a tag office with your bill of sale, proof of insurance, and a photo ID. The tag office will transfer the title and registration, and you can renew the tag at the same time if it's close to expiration.

If the tag has time remaining before it expires, you can renew it later through the normal renewal process. Keep in mind that transferring a title and renewing a tag are two separate transactions, though they can happen during the same visit to the tag office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia tag if I live out of state?

Yes. You can renew online through the Georgia Department of Revenue website from anywhere. You can also renew by mail by returning your renewal notice with payment. You cannot renew in person at a tag office if you don't live in Georgia, but online and mail renewal are available to you.

What if my vehicle information is wrong on the renewal notice?

Contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at (855) 406-5221 before you renew. They can correct errors like the vehicle's make, model, or VIN. Do not renew with incorrect information, as it may cause problems later. Visit a tag office in person if you need to make changes to your registration at the same time you renew.

How much does it cost to renew a Georgia tag?

The cost varies by vehicle weight and county. Georgia charges a base registration fee plus a county tag fee. You'll see the exact amount when you renew online before you pay. Call your county tag office or the Department of Revenue at (855) 406-5221 if you want to know the cost before you start the renewal process.

Can I renew my tag if it's been expired for more than a year?

Yes, you can renew online, by mail, or in person even if your tag has been expired for a long time. However, you cannot legally drive the vehicle with an expired tag. Once you renew, you'll receive your new tag in the mail or at the tag office. You may also face a fine for driving with an expired tag if you were stopped by police.

What if I don't receive my tag after two weeks?

Contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at (855) 406-5221 with your confirmation number from your online renewal or your renewal notice number. They can check the status of your tag and resend it if it was lost in the mail. If your tag is still not received after another week, visit a tag office in person to request a replacement.