Overview
For a private-party (casual) sale, the penalty is 10% of the TAVT owed once you're past day 30, and another 1% for every additional month you wait. Dealers run on a stricter and different clock - they're expected to remit within about 10 days, and their own penalty compounds at 5% plus 5% per month if they don't. Use the calculator below to see what a late transfer actually costs on your vehicle.
01 - Official fees
Georgia title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $18.00 | new title, transfer, or lien recording |
| Late TAVT penalty (private buyer) | 10% of TAVT owed | assessed once past 30 days |
| Additional monthly penalty | +1% per month | of TAVT owed, after the initial 10% |
| Late TAVT penalty (dealer-remitted) | 5% + 5%/month | different schedule, dealer's liability |
| Altered purchase date on title | $10.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tag office (Georgia Department of Revenue) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Georgia
- 1
Seller signs the title's assignment section over to you; both names must match your IDs exactly.
- 2
Complete Form MV-1 (Title/Tag Application) and, for a family transfer, a notarized Form MV-16.
- 3
Take the title, MV-1, proof of Georgia insurance, and ID to your county tax commissioner's tag office.
- 4
Pay the $18 title fee plus TAVT at the applicable rate - all within 30 days of the purchase date.
- 5
Keep your receipt; the title itself is typically mailed to you (or the lienholder) after processing.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Georgia vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Georgia title transfer FAQ
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Georgia?
The title fee itself is $18 no matter the situation. The real cost is TAVT on top - 7% of fair market value for a standard sale, 0.5% for immediate family, 3% for a new resident - all due at the same 30-day deadline.
What exactly happens if I transfer the title late?
As a private buyer, you owe 10% of the TAVT itself once you're past 30 days, plus 1% more for each additional month. On a $1,400 TAVT bill (a $20,000 car at 7%), waiting three months late adds roughly $168 in penalties on top of the tax.
Is the 30-day clock the same for dealer and private sales?
The filing deadline is the same 30 days, but the penalty math isn't. Dealers face a 5%-plus-5%-per-month schedule tied to when they remit the paperwork, distinct from the 10%-plus-1%-per-month penalty a private buyer owes directly.
Can I transfer a Georgia title online?
No - a new-owner title transfer requires an in-person visit to your county tax commissioner's tag office with the signed title and required forms. Online tools cover tag renewals, not new title transfers.
What if the title's sale date was written incorrectly?
An altered or incorrect purchase date on the title carries its own $10 penalty, separate from any TAVT late fee. Make sure the date on the assignment matches the actual sale date before you submit it.
How do I title a vehicle I inherited in Georgia?
You'll need a completed Form T-20 (Affidavit of Inheritance) along with the death certificate and any required probate documents. If the vehicle was already on Georgia's TAVT system and you're an immediate family member, you also qualify for the 0.5% inherited-vehicle rate instead of the full 7%.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.