What You Need to Do to Change a Georgia Car Title

To change your Georgia car title, you submit Form T-14 (process for Georgia Certificate of Title) to the Georgia Department of Revenue, along with your current title, proof of ownership, and a completed odometer statement. The process takes about two to three weeks by mail, though you can also explore in person at a county tag office for faster processing. The fee is $18 for a standard title transfer, though fees vary slightly if you need a duplicate or corrected title.

The reason you're changing the title matters — you might be adding or removing a name after marriage, correcting an error, transferring ownership after a sale, or replacing a lost or damaged title. Each situation requires the same basic form but different supporting documents. Georgia does not allow online title changes; you must submit documents by mail or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Form T-14 is the document you file with the Georgia Department of Revenue to change your title, whether you're correcting a name, transferring ownership, or replacing a lost title.
  • You must include your current title, a completed odometer statement, and proof of ownership such as a bill of sale or marriage certificate depending on why you're changing the title.
  • In-person applications at your county tag office typically process in one to two weeks, while mail applications take two to three weeks.
  • The standard title change fee is $18, but fees for duplicate or corrected titles may differ slightly.

When You Need to Change Your Georgia Title

A title change in Georgia covers several situations. If you got married or divorced and your name changed, you need to update your title to reflect your current legal name. If you bought a used car and the title is in the seller's name, you must transfer it to your name. If the title has a misspelling, wrong VIN, or other error, you file to correct it. If your title was lost, stolen, or damaged, you request a duplicate.

You also change your title if you're adding or removing a co-owner — for example, if you bought a car with a spouse and now want to remove them, or if you inherited a vehicle and need to add yourself as the owner. Georgia recognizes both joint ownership (both owners listed) and sole ownership.

Documents You'll Need to Gather

Start with your current title — the physical certificate issued by Georgia. If you don't have it, you'll need to request a duplicate first. You also need a completed Form T-14, which you can read from the Georgia Department of Revenue website or pick up at any county tag office.

Next, gather proof of ownership. What counts depends on your situation. For a name change after marriage, bring your marriage certificate. For a divorce, bring your divorce decree. For a transfer after purchase, bring the bill of sale signed by the previous owner. For an inherited vehicle, bring the death certificate and probate documents or an affidavit of heirship if the estate is small. For a correction, bring whatever document shows the correct information — a driver's license for a name correction, the vehicle registration for a VIN correction.

You'll also need a completed odometer statement (Form T-14 includes this section). This certifies the current mileage on the vehicle. Finally, bring your driver's license or ID to prove your identity.

how the process works by Mail

Gather all your documents and mail them to the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, at the address listed on Form T-14. Include a check or money order for $18 (or the correct fee for your situation) made payable to the State of Georgia. Do not send cash.

Mail your packet to the address on the form — this is typically the Motor Vehicle Division office in Atlanta, but confirm the current address on the Department of Revenue website before you send anything. Include a return address so the new title can be mailed back to you. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your process. You can track your process status by calling the Motor Vehicle Division at the phone number on Form T-14.

Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. If your process is incomplete, the office will contact you by mail, which adds time to the process.

how the process works In Person at a County Tag Office

Find your county tag office using the Georgia Department of Revenue's office locator on their website. Bring all your documents, your ID, and a check or money order for $18. Walk-in service is available at most offices, though some require appointments — call ahead to confirm.

In-person applications usually process in one to two weeks. The tag office will review your documents on the spot and tell you if anything is missing. If everything is complete, they'll submit your process and give you a receipt with an expected completion date. You'll pick up your new title at the same office or have it mailed to you, depending on the office's process.

What Happens If Your process Is Incomplete

If you're missing a document or your form has errors, the Georgia Department of Revenue will mail you a notice explaining what's needed. You then have a set time (usually 30 days) to send the missing information. This delays your title by several weeks, so double-check everything before you submit.

Common mistakes include submitting a bill of sale that isn't signed by both the buyer and seller, forgetting to sign Form T-14 itself, or not including proof of identity. If you're unsure whether a document counts as proof of ownership for your situation, call the Motor Vehicle Division before you explore.

Special Situations: Duplicate, Corrected, and Inherited Titles

If your title is lost or damaged, you request a duplicate title using Form T-14 and marking the appropriate box. You don't need a bill of sale or proof of ownership — just your ID and the $18 fee. Processing is the same as a standard change.

For a corrected title (fixing an error like a misspelled name or wrong VIN), submit Form T-14 with the current title and whatever document shows the correct information. The fee is still $18. Georgia will issue a new title with the correction and void the old one.

For an inherited vehicle, the process depends on whether the estate went through probate. If it did, bring the probate documents showing you as the heir. If the estate was small and didn't require probate, Georgia allows you to use an affidavit of heirship instead — your county probate court can provide this form. Either way, you're changing the title from the deceased owner's name to yours using Form T-14.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a new title in Georgia?

By mail, two to three weeks from the date the Motor Vehicle Division receives your process. In person at a county tag office, one to two weeks. If your process is incomplete, add another two to four weeks for the back-and-forth.

Can I drive my car while my title is being changed?

Yes. Your current registration remains valid during the title change process. You don't need to wait for the new title to drive the vehicle. Keep your receipt from your process as proof you've submitted for a new title if you're stopped by police.

What if I lost my title and don't know where to start?

Request a duplicate title using Form T-14. You'll need your ID and proof of ownership — your current registration, insurance card, or vehicle registration from the DMV. The fee is $18, and processing is the same as any other title change.

Do I need a notary for any of these documents?

No. Georgia does not require notarized documents for standard title changes. However, if you're using an affidavit of heirship for an inherited vehicle, that document must be notarized — your county probate court can direct you to a notary.

What if the previous owner won't sign the bill of sale?

Georgia requires both the buyer and seller to sign the bill of sale for a title transfer. If the seller refuses, you cannot legally transfer the title into your name. Contact a Georgia attorney if you believe you own the vehicle but the seller won't cooperate.