Georgia Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Georgia costs $18 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,088 in total, with $1,050 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Georgia title fees
These are the title-related fees in Georgia's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $18 |
|---|---|
| Tag transfer | $5 |
| Late title | $10 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Georgia
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Georgia car tax calculator:
| Title | $18 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $1,050 |
| Tag (if you register it now) | $20 |
| Estimated total | $1,088 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Georgia charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late title $10.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Immediate family transfer (MV-16) | 0.5% TAVT if vehicle already paid TAVT |
|---|---|
| Inheritance from immediate family (T-20) | 0.5% TAVT if vehicle already paid TAVT |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance from immediate family (T-20) | 0.5% TAVT if vehicle already paid TAVT |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Georgia
| Divorce / court transfer | 1% TAVT |
|---|---|
| New resident with out-of-state registered vehicle | 3% TAVT |
| Georgia resident buying out of state | 7% TAVT; no credit for tax paid elsewhere |
| Qualifying veteran (MV-30) | TAVT exempt |
| Nonresident military (PT-472NS) | TAVT $0 |
| Private sale | Trade-in does not reduce value |
How Georgia works out what you owe
- New from dealer: value = price + doc fee - trade-in - rebate
- Used from dealer: value = price + doc fee - trade-in (rebate does not reduce)
- Private / special transfers: value = Georgia assessment manual fair market value
- TAVT = value x rate
- Total = TAVT + title + tag + lemon law fee + AFV fee + emissions
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Georgia: dor.georgia.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Georgia?
The title fee is $18. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,088.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Georgia?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Georgia charges about $1,050. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Georgia?
Yes. Late title: $10.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Georgia?
Immediate family transfer (MV-16): 0.5% TAVT if vehicle already paid TAVT. Inheritance from immediate family (T-20): 0.5% TAVT if vehicle already paid TAVT.
What happens to a car title after a death in Georgia?
Inheritance from immediate family (T-20): 0.5% TAVT if vehicle already paid TAVT.