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 complete a form called the process for Certificate of Title (Form T-7), sign it in front of a notary public, and submit it to your county's Department of Driver Services office along with the current title, a bill of sale, and the transfer fee. The person receiving the car (the new owner) does not have to be present, but both the current owner and the new owner must sign the form. Georgia does not charge a transfer tax between family members, but you will pay a standard title fee, which varies by county but typically runs between $18 and $25.

The process takes about two to four weeks from the date you submit your paperwork. During that time, the car is legally yours until the new title is issued in the family member's name. If you are transferring the title because you are giving the car as a gift, you can list the sale price as "gift" on the bill of sale—this does not change the fee or the steps involved.

Key Takeaways

  • You must complete Form T-7 (process for Certificate of Title), have both signatures notarized, and submit it to your county's Department of Driver Services office in person or by mail.
  • Georgia charges no transfer tax for family members, but you will pay a standard title fee of roughly $18 to $25 depending on your county.
  • The current title, a bill of sale signed by both parties, and the transfer fee are required documents; the new owner does not have to be present.
  • The new title arrives in the mail within two to four weeks, and the car remains legally yours until that new title is issued.

Where to get Form T-7 and what to fill in

Form T-7 is available on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website under the "Forms" section, or you can pick up a copy at any county Department of Driver Services office. The form asks for the current owner's name and address, the new owner's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the make and model, the year, and the current title number. You will also need to check a box indicating the reason for the transfer—in this case, you would select "transfer to family member" or a similar option.

Both the current owner and the new owner must sign the form in the presence of a notary public. A notary will verify your identity using a government-issued ID and witness your signature. You can find a notary at most banks, credit unions, UPS stores, and some public libraries. Some notaries charge a small fee (typically $5 to $15 per signature), though some banks offer notary services free to account holders.

The bill of sale and what it must include

A bill of sale is a document that records the sale or transfer of the vehicle from you to the family member. Georgia does not have a required bill of sale form, but the document must include the date of the transfer, the names and addresses of both the current owner and the new owner, the vehicle's VIN, make, model, and year, and the sale price or "gift" if no money is changing hands. Both you and the new owner must sign and date the bill of sale.

You can write a bill of sale by hand or type it—there is no official template required. What matters is that the information is clear and both parties have signed it. Keep a copy for your records. Some people use a template from the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, but a straightforward handwritten document with all the required information is legally sufficient.

Submitting your paperwork to the Department of Driver Services

You can submit your completed Form T-7, the current title, the bill of sale, and the transfer fee in person at your county's Department of Driver Services office, or you can mail them. If you mail your paperwork, send it to the address listed on the Form T-7 instructions for your county. Include a check or money order for the title fee made payable to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

When you submit in person, bring the original title, the signed and notarized Form T-7, the signed bill of sale, and cash, check, or card payment for the fee. The office staff will review your documents on the spot and let you know if anything is missing. If you mail your paperwork, include a cover letter with your name and phone number so the office can contact you if there are questions.

What happens after you submit

Once the Department of Driver Services receives your paperwork, they will process the transfer and issue a new title in the family member's name. This typically takes two to four weeks. The new title will be mailed to the address you listed for the new owner on Form T-7. During this waiting period, the car is still legally registered to you as the current owner, so you remain responsible for any traffic violations or accidents that occur.

If the new owner needs to drive the car before the new title arrives, they can use a copy of the submitted Form T-7 as proof of ownership during the transition period. However, the car's registration (license plate) will not change until the new title is issued, so the registration must still be in your name. If the new owner wants to register the car in their name before the title arrives, they will need to wait for the new title to be issued first.

Transferring the registration and license plate

The title and the registration are separate documents. Once the new owner receives the new title, they will need to register the car in their name at their county's Department of Driver Services office. They can keep the existing license plate if they choose, or they can request a new one. To register the car, the new owner will need the new title, proof of insurance, and a completed vehicle registration form.

If the new owner is a resident of a different Georgia county than you, they will register the car at their own county's office. If they live out of state, they will need to follow their state's registration process, though they can use the Georgia title as proof of ownership. The registration fee varies by county and vehicle type, but it is separate from the title transfer fee you already paid.

Special situations: out-of-state family members and inherited vehicles

If the family member lives outside Georgia, the process is the same up to the point where they receive the new title. Once they have the Georgia title in their name, they can take it to their home state's motor vehicle department and register the car there. Each state has different requirements, so the new owner should contact their state's equivalent of the Department of Driver Services to learn what documents and fees they will need.

If you are transferring a title because a family member has passed away and the car is part of their estate, the process is different. The executor or administrator of the estate will need to provide a copy of the death certificate and a court document (such as a probate order or small estate affidavit) showing that they have the authority to transfer the vehicle. Contact your county's Department of Driver Services office for the specific forms and steps required in this situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to transfer the title in person, or can I mail everything?

You can mail your paperwork. Include the completed and notarized Form T-7, the current title, the bill of sale, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail it to your county's Department of Driver Services office address listed on the form instructions. Processing takes the same amount of time whether you submit in person or by mail.

What if the family member's name is spelled differently on their ID than on the title?

The name on the new title must match the name on the family member's government-issued ID. If there is a spelling difference, contact your county's Department of Driver Services office before submitting your paperwork. They may ask for a legal document (such as a marriage certificate or court order) showing the name change, or they may allow you to correct it on the form.

Can I transfer the title if there is still a loan on the car?

No. The lender's name must be removed from the title before you can transfer it to a family member. You will need to pay off the loan first, then request a lien release from the lender. Once you receive the lien release, submit it with your other paperwork to the Department of Driver Services, and they will issue a new title without the lender's name. Then you can transfer it to your family member.

How much does the title transfer cost?

Georgia charges no transfer tax for family members, but you will pay a standard title fee that varies by county. Most counties charge between $18 and $25. Contact your county's Department of Driver Services office to confirm the exact fee for your location, or check the Form T-7 instructions, which list the fee by county.

What if I lose the current title before I can transfer it?

You can request a duplicate title from your county's Department of Driver Services office. You will need to complete a form (usually Form T-7D for a duplicate), provide proof of ownership, and pay a small fee. Once you receive the duplicate title, you can proceed with the transfer to your family member using the same steps outlined above.