Selling a car privately in Georgia
Georgia is picky about ink and neatness: complete the title assignment on the back of the Georgia title in blue or black ink with no erasures, cross-outs, or white-out; the state can reject a marked-up title, which stalls the buyer's registration and generates support calls back to you. A Georgia bill of sale (Form T-7) supports the buyer's title application.
Georgia buyers do not pay traditional sales tax on a used car; they pay a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) when they title the vehicle, and they must register within 7 business days of purchase. Georgia plates stay with the seller; remove them at handoff. Buyers in several metro Atlanta counties also need an emissions test to register.
The checklist
- 1
Assign the title to the buyer (Georgia)
Complete the assignment on the back of the Georgia title in blue or black ink; no erasures or white-out, or the state may reject it.
- 2
Provide a bill of sale (Form T-7)
Georgia's Form T-7 bill of sale supports the buyer's title application and TAVT calculation.
- 3
Remove and keep your license plates
Georgia plates stay with the seller. Remove them; the buyer must register within 7 business days.
- 4
Verify your title status
Locate the physical title and confirm it is in your name with no undisclosed liens. If the title is lost, request a duplicate before listing.
- 5
Complete a bill of sale
Recommended for every private sale even where not required. Record buyer/seller names, VIN, price, date, and an as-is acknowledgement. Both parties keep a copy.
- 6
Complete the odometer disclosure
Federal rules require odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 model years old. Usually done on the title itself; some states use a separate form.
- 7
File a release of liability / notice of sale
If your state offers it, file promptly after the sale so you are not liable for tickets or incidents after the buyer drives away.
- 8
Handle plates per your state's rules
In most states the seller removes the plates; in some, plates stay with the vehicle. Confirm your state's rule before handing over the keys.
- 9
Pay off any lien before or at transfer
If a lien remains, coordinate payoff with the lender so the buyer can receive a clear title. Do not sign over a title with an unreleased lien.
- 10
Confirm payment before signing the title
Verify cash, or use a cashier's check verified with the issuing bank, or complete the transfer inside the buyer's bank. Never release the signed title before funds are confirmed.
- 11
Keep copies of everything
Photograph or copy the signed title (both sides), bill of sale, odometer disclosure, and the buyer's ID if they consent.
- 12
Check official state instructions
Requirements change. Confirm the current process on your state DMV / motor vehicle agency website before the sale.
Generate your Georgia sale packet
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Start your free beta packetGeorgia private sale FAQ
Does a Georgia car title need to be notarized?
No. Georgia does not require notarization for a private-party transfer. What Georgia does enforce is a clean assignment: blue or black ink, no corrections.
What tax does the buyer pay in a Georgia private sale?
Georgia charges a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) when the buyer titles the vehicle, instead of sales tax. The amount is based on the state's valuation; the buyer pays it at their county tag office.
How long does the buyer have to register in Georgia?
Seven business days from the purchase date. A dated bill of sale (Form T-7) and a properly assigned title keep that clock unambiguous.
Do I keep my plates when I sell a car in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia plates belong to the seller. Remove them before the buyer drives off; driving on your plates is your liability.
Selling a special situation?
Other states
Bold states have a state-specific guide; others use the general checklist.
Last reviewed Jul 11, 2026. This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV or tax office.