by Armando Martinez
So you've bought a car from a private owner in Georgia, and now you need to register it. You’ll only have 7 days from the date of your purchase to do this. No problem! This guide will take you through the steps in a straightforward way, so you can get your car registered and hit the road without any hassle.
Step 1: Get the Required Documents
You'll need to get some important documents from the seller to register your car in Georgia. These include:
- The vehicle title: This is the piece of paper that proves you own the car. The seller should give you the original title with your name as the buyer. If the title is lost, the seller can apply for a duplicate title through the Georgia Department of Revenue or through the Georgia DMV agency in which their vehicle is titled.
- A bill of sale: This is a written record of the sale that includes the car's make, model, year, VIN, sale price, and date of sale, as well as the buyer and seller's names and addresses.
- Proof of insurance: You'll need to show proof of insurance that meets Georgia's minimum requirements.
- Vehicle Emissions Inspection: You’ll need to complete an inspection if your vehicle is 10 years old or older and if you live in the county of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding or Rockdale.
Step 2: Complete the Transfer of Ownership
Next, you'll need to complete the transfer of ownership:
- Fill out the transfer of title section on the back of the title certificate. Sign and date the document. If there are two owners, both need to sign.
- Complete a Georgia Tag/Title Application (Form MV-1) available online or at your local county tag office.
- Provide proof of insurance.
Step 3: Visit the County Tag Office
Take the necessary documents to your local county tag office:
- The signed title certificate
- The completed MV-1 form
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for registration fees, which includes a title fee and a license plate fee based on the car's weight. Taxes will also be collected, if applicable.
Step 4: Get Your New Title and Registration
After you complete the registration process at the county tag office, you'll receive a new title and registration in your name. The registration includes a license plate, tag, and registration certificate. You’ll have the ability to purchase a temporary operating permit at this time allowing you to operate your vehicle legally.Conclusion
Registering a car bought in a private owner car sale in Georgia doesn't have to be complicated. Just make sure you have the necessary documents from the seller, complete the transfer of ownership, and visit your local county tag office. With this guide, you'll be able to get your new car on the road in no time! If you have any further questions, please visit the Georgia Department of Revenue website.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
Start your transaction with Caramel, learn more about how the process works, or reach out to our Support team with any questions.
