Register a Recently-Purchased Vehicle

From a Dealership

  • If you purchased a vehicle from a Georgia dealership and title tax is due, the dealer must submit the title application electronically through the Georgia Electronic Title and Registration System (ETR). Any exceptions must be submitted by the dealer to the Dealer, Mail & Fleet (DMF) division for processing.
  • If you purchased from an out-of-state dealership, in most cases, they will submit the necessary documents to DMF to apply for your title.

 

The title application must be processed prior to the registration being issued or at the same time the registration is issued.

Once the title application has been processed, and if you still need to register the vehicle, the dealer will send you a copy of the title receipt and you will need to visit a Gwinnett County tag office. If you have not received a copy of the title receipt and it has been at least 25 days since the date of your purchase, contact the dealer to determine the status of your application.

More information on how to obtain a Georgia title. 

To register the vehicle, you need to bring the following items when visiting one of our offices:

  • Valid Georgia driver's license or Georgia identification card. If a new tag is to be issued, the Georgia DL or ID card must reflect a Gwinnett County address. If it does not, one of the following documents must be presented with the current Gwinnett address issued in the name of the registered owner and dated within the last year:
    • Utility bill
    • Lease/rental agreement
    • Bank statement
    • Closing papers
    • Voter registration card (must show residential address)

 

If you purchase a brand new vehicle (i.e., one that has never been the subject of a sale at retail to the general public), you have the option of getting a two-year registration during your initial registration period for a $40 fee (standard plates only). Annual registration renewal applies thereafter. This is only for passenger cars designed to carry 10 passengers or less.

 


Purchased from an Individual or Business

Without a lien

If you purchase a vehicle from an individual or business (other than a dealer) in a casual/private sale, you are required to apply for the Georgia title and registration within seven business days of the purchase date. A registration can be issued along with the title application or after the application has been processed.

More information on how to obtain a Georgia title.

When the seller has provided a title properly signed over to you, all of the following are required:

  • Valid Georgia driver's license or Georgia identification card. If a new tag is to be issued, the Georgia DL or ID card must reflect a Gwinnett County address. If it does not, one of the following documents must be presented with the current Gwinnett address issued in the name of the registered owner and dated within the last year:
    • Utility bill
    • Lease/rental agreement
    • Bank statement
    • Closing papers
    • Voter registration card (must show residential address)
  • Copy of the bill of sale from the seller dated within seven business days 
  • Original Certificate of Title
  • Current certificate of registration for tag transfer, if applicable
  • Valid Georgia Insurance
  • Current Georgia Emissions Control Certificate, if applicable
  • An original notarized power of attorney from any owner who will not be present at the time of registration

 

With a lien

If you purchased your vehicle from an individual or business and the Certificate of Title is in the possession of a bank or other financial institution, you must still apply for the Georgia title and registration within seven business days. If you are financing the vehicle, the lienholder normally will submit the necessary documents to apply for your title. After the title application has been processed, the lienholder will send you a copy of the title receipt and you will need to visit a Gwinnett County tag office to register your vehicle.

If you purchased your vehicle from an individual or business and there is a lien involved and the bank or financial institution does not provide the title within the seven day period, then you will not be able to title or register the vehicle. In certain situations you may be able to obtain a temporary operating permit.

When the title is in the possession of a bank or other financial institution, bring the following items:

  • Valid Georgia driver's license or Georgia identification card. If a new tag is to be issued, the Georgia DL or ID card must reflect a Gwinnett County address. If it does not, one of the following documents must be presented with the current Gwinnett address issued in the name of the registered owner and dated within the last year:
    • Utility bill
    • Lease/rental agreement
    • Bank statement
    • Closing papers
    • Voter registration card (must show residential address)
  • Copy of the bill of sale from the seller dated within seven business days
  • Copy of seller’s registration
  • Valid Georgia Insurance
  • Current Georgia Emissions Control Certificate, if applicable
  • An original notarized power of attorney from any owner who will not be present at the time of registration
  • If the vehicle is leased, you must provide the original lease agreement that includes the names and addresses of the leasing company and the lessee(s)

 

Salvage vehicles are not eligible for a Georgia title or registration until they have been rebuilt and passed inspection. For more information on salvage vehicles, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue website.

 

Also note the following:

  • Under normal circumstances, the information provided above is required to register a vehicle. Other documentation may be required upon review of the paperwork.
  • If you purchase a vehicle within a few months of your birthday, a decal may be issued for the current year and will expire on your birthday. It is advisable to contact our office for details.
  • It is a misdemeanor to display a license plate or temporary operating permit not issued by a dealer, or printed and recorded in the Georgia Registration and Title Information System.
  • Effective March 1, 2013, sales tax and the annual ad valorem tax were removed on newly-purchased vehicles and replaced with a one-time title tax. Determine title tax due.  
  • Any paperwork, license plates or renewal decals processed in a Gwinnett tag office can only be returned to the registered owner of the vehicle or a family member with valid government-issued identification showing the same last name and/or same address as the registered owner.
  • For information on how to obtain a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia identification card, visit the Department of Driver Services website.

 

 

Updated 8/7/2024