Selling or buying a vehicle in Georgia? Georgia replaced traditional sales tax on vehicles with the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) — and the buyer has only 7 days to apply for a new title.
This free template is formatted for Georgia’s requirements and works alongside the Certificate of Title and Form MV-1 at the county tag office.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a Georgia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Georgia?
- Georgia-Specific Requirements
- Free Georgia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Georgia
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Georgia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Georgia motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
Georgia’s official form is Form T-7 (Motor Vehicle Division Bill of Sale), provided by the Georgia Department of Revenue. It is submitted along with the signed title and MV-1 application to the county tag office in the buyer’s county of residence.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Georgia?
A bill of sale is required for vehicles that do not require a title — specifically 1985 model year and older vehicles. For these, the bill of sale is the primary proof of ownership transfer.
For 1986 and newer vehicles, a Certificate of Title is required and the bill of sale is used alongside it at the county tag office. Georgia’s Form T-7 includes sections for vehicle description, seller and buyer information, odometer disclosure, and lien disclosure.
Georgia-Specific Requirements
1. 7-Day Deadline
The buyer must apply for a title within 7 days of the date of purchase. Additional penalties are assessed if the vehicle is not registered within 30 days. The seller keeps their tag — Georgia plates do not transfer with the vehicle.
2. Where to Complete the Transfer
Title transfers are handled at the county tag office in the county where the primary purchaser resides. Only the buyer needs to be present — the seller does not need to appear as long as the title is properly signed on the back.
3. Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT)
Georgia replaced traditional sales tax with a Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 3% of the vehicle’s fair market value for individual-to-individual sales. TAVT is due at the time of title transfer and registration. New Georgia residents pay 3% TAVT at time of registration.
Use the TAVT Estimator at dor.georgia.gov/drives-e-services to calculate your estimated tax before visiting the tag office.
4. What the Buyer Must Bring
- Georgia Certificate of Title with the back properly completed and signed by the seller(s)
- This Bill of Sale (Form T-7 or equivalent)
- Completed MV-1 (Title/Tag Application)
- Valid Georgia driver’s license or ID
- Proof of Georgia liability insurance (must be active in the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System)
- Payment for $18 title fee, $20 tag fee, and applicable TAVT
5. License Plates
Georgia plates stay with the seller. You keep your tag when you sell a vehicle. The buyer will receive a new tag when they register at the county tag office.
6. Title Requirement by Year
A Georgia Certificate of Title is required for 1986 and newer motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, travel trailers, and car/tow dollies weighing 2,001 lbs or more. For 1985 and older vehicles, a bill of sale serves as proof of ownership.
7. Notarization
Georgia does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
Free Georgia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character from the dashboard plate and the title. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — Georgia uses the fair market value (not the sale price) to calculate TAVT, but the sale price must still be accurate.
The seller signs and completes the back of the title. Both parties sign Section 11 of this bill of sale.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in Georgia
For the Seller
Complete and sign the back of the Georgia Certificate of Title. Keep your license plates — they do not go with the vehicle. Retain a signed copy of this bill of sale for your records.
For the Buyer
Within 7 days of purchase, visit the county tag office in your county of residence with the signed title, this bill of sale, Form MV-1, valid Georgia ID, proof of Georgia insurance (active in GEICS), and payment for the $18 title fee, $20 tag fee, and TAVT.
Lost Title
If the title is lost, the seller must apply for a duplicate before the sale can proceed. Contact your county tag office or visit dor.georgia.gov for duplicate title procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The buyer must apply for a title within 7 days of purchase. Additional penalties apply if the vehicle is not registered within 30 days. The title transfer is completed at the county tag office in the buyer’s county of residence.
Georgia replaced traditional sales tax on vehicles with TAVT — a one-time 3% tax on the vehicle’s fair market value for individual-to-individual sales. TAVT is paid at the county tag office at the time of title transfer. Use the TAVT Estimator at dor.georgia.gov to calculate your estimated amount.
No. Georgia plates stay with the seller. You keep your tag when you sell a vehicle and may transfer it to a new vehicle registered in your name. The buyer receives a new tag when they register at the county tag office.
No. Georgia does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
A Georgia Certificate of Title is required for 1986 and newer motor vehicles. For 1985 and older vehicles, a title is not required — a bill of sale serves as proof of ownership transfer.
Yes. Georgia provides Form T-7 as its official bill of sale, but any complete and signed bill of sale with the required information is acceptable alongside the signed title and Form MV-1. The template on this page covers all required fields including the TAVT-related seller and buyer sections.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Requirements vary by county. Contact your county tag office or the Georgia Department of Revenue at dor.georgia.gov to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.