During the fall of 1999, the Motor Vehicle Division implemented a new “on-line” registration and title information system (G.R.A.T.I.S. – Georgia Registration and Title Information System) with the Clarke county tag office to improve customer service.  For most types of title transactions, a tag clerk will review the documents while the customer waits and enter the necessary data on-line into the state's computer. The customer will know before he or she leaves the office if their documents are in order for the issuance of a title. If the documents are approved for title issuance, the title will be printed within three (3) business days at MVD headquarters and mailed.

What is a Certificate of title?
A Certificate of Title is the legal document issued by the State Motor Vehicle Division for a motor vehicle that reflects the legal owner(s) of the vehicle and any recorded lien or security interest holders.  This document also reflects brands indicating the status of the title (e.g. Replacement); the condition of the vehicle (e.g. Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood Damage, etc.); and the odometer reading (when required).  A Georgia Certificate of Title is mailed to the first lien or security interest holder until their interest in the vehicle becomes satisfied.  If there is no lien or security interest holder, the title is mailed to the vehicle owner.

Spaces are provided on the reverse side of the Certificate of Title for transfer of ownership.  The title should be delivered to the purchaser/transferee at the time the vehicle is delivered.  The new owner should promptly apply for a new Certificate of Title in their name.

Spaces are provided on the face of the title for the release of any recorded liens or security interests.  However, the released liens or security interests are not removed from the state's records until a “new” title is issued.

When to apply?
An owner should apply promptly for a Certificate of Title upon transfer of ownership. The fee for a standard title application is $18. Failure to apply for a title within thirty (30) days of the date of purchase/transfer will result in a $10 penalty being charged. This penalty must also be assessed if the date of purchased has been altered in any way. If an application for title is “rejected”, the owner has sixty (60) days from the date of the rejection letter to comply to avoid being charged an additional $10 penalty.  An owner cannot purchase a license plate in their name for a vehicle required to be titled in this state unless one of the following applies:

• The owner already has a Georgia Title in their name; 
• The owner has proof that a title has been applied for in their name; or 
• The owner makes application for a Georgia Certificate of Title in their name at the time of application for the license plate.

A 1963 through a 1985 model motor vehicle may be titled if the owner has a title to support his or her application either issued in their name or properly assigned to him or her without a break in the chain of ownership.

A certificate of title is required for 1963 through current year model mobile homes and cranes.

Vehicles Not Titled in Georgia
The State of Georgia does not title any vehicle with a model year of 1962 and older year.  

Georgia does not title any vehicle owned by an out-of-state resident or any of the following:

• A vehicle obtained by inheritance or repossession with a Georgia title on record.
• A vehicle owned by an out-of-state company and the vehicle is based in Georgia.
• A vehicle owned by someone living on the Georgia border (e.g. Lookout Mountain, Tennessee), or
• A vehicle currently titled in Georgia in which the title has been lost, stolen, or mutilated and an application for replacement title is being made with the owner's current  out-of-state address.
• Off-road Vehicle (e.g. ATV – All terrain vehicle)
• A vehicle moved solely by animal power
• A true implement of husbandry
• A self-propelled wheel-chair or invalid tricycle
• A pole trailer
• A utility trailer with an unladen gross weight of 2,000 pounds or less.  This does not  apply to a travel trailer or camper, regardless of its unladen gross weight.
• A Moped

If the application is in the name of a company, an authorized representative of the company must sign the application. The company name should be shown above the authorized signature and the person signing the application for the company should show their position with the company beside their name (e.g. President, Vice President, Secretary, Owner, etc.). More detailed instructions are provided later in this manual.

Supporting Documents
The original valid certificate of title or statement of origin must be submitted. This document must be issued in the applicant's name or it must be properly assigned to the applicant showing a complete and correct chain of ownership.

Methods of Payments
The Clarke County Tax Commissioner currently accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa and MasterCard as valid tender.  Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Clarke County Tax Commissioner. 

Joint Ownership
The word “or” cannot be used to show joint ownership of a motor vehicle in the State of Georgia.  The word “and” must be used when applying for a Certificate of Title for a vehicle jointly owned (e.g. John Doe and Mary Smith).  Both owners must sign the title application and the assignment of title (when the vehicle ownership is being transferred).

Owners may wish to talk with their attorney to determine if a title should be applied for reflecting joint ownership with the following disclosure: “Joint Tenants with Survivorship”. This statement should be printed below the owners’ names on the title application.  When a title is issued with this disclosure (Joint Tenants with Survivorship), the surviving owner may transfer ownership by merely completing the assignment of title and attaching a copy of the deceased's death certificate.  The new owner should apply for a title in his/her name at that time.

Surety Title Bonds
When the proper supporting documents required by law for the issuance of a certificate of title on a motor vehicle (that is required to be titled in this State) cannot be obtained, a certificate of title may be obtained on the basis of a surety bond. If it becomes necessary to title on the basis of a surety bond, the following procedures must be followed:

1. Title Application - The application must be completed in full and signed by the applicant(s), reflecting the same name shown as the Principal on the Certificate of Title Bond (Form MV-46).

2. Certificate of Title Bond (Form MV-46) - Must be executed by an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Georgia.  The bond must be in the amount determined by the valuation of property listed in the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Assessment Manual.  Note: The MV-46 form must be signed by the principal and the agent for the insurance company.  These signatures are required to be witnessed (attested).

3. Affidavit for Certificate of Title Bond (Form MV-46A) - The reason why a bond is necessary must be typed on this form.  Form MV-46A must be in the same name(s) as reflected on Form MV-46.  This form must be signed by the applicant(s) and signature(s) must be notarized.

4. Power-of-Attorney - Completed by the insurance or bonding company, authorizing the agent to issue the title bond for the insurance or bonding company.

5. Certification of Inspection (Form T-22B) - Must be completed by a law enforcement officer after a visual inspection of the vehicle's serial plate has been made.  Valid title may be submitted in lieu of Form T-22B.

6. Ownership Support Documents - Any available ownership documents (bill-of-sale, title, certificate of registration, etc.).

7. Lien or Security Interest Release (Form T-4) - To remove any liens or security interest shown on our records.

8. Processing Fee - $18.00 (check or money order).

The Georgia title must be issued within six (6) months of the date of the bond.  The minimum bond amount acceptable is $100.00, regardless if the vehicle's value is less than $100.00.  For verification of the bond amount, the insurance company may contact (404) 362-6482 or 362-6483.

Surety Title Bond Exclusions:
A certificate of title bond cannot be obtained to secure a Georgia Certificate of Title for an abandoned vehicle or a vehicle that is a 1985-year model or older.  A certificate of title for an abandoned vehicle must be obtained pursuant to the abandoned motor vehicle procedures.  A surety bond cannot be obtained for vehicles not required to be titled in the State of Georgia (e.g., mopeds or boat trailers).

Name Change Due to Marriage
In order for a Georgia Certificate of Title to be issued in a person's married name, the following documents must be submitted to the Motor Vehicle Division or County Tag Office:

1. Title Application - Completed in detail in the married name, typed in full, and signed.

2. Transfer Document - The valid certificate of title, or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). The supporting document must be issued in the applicant's maiden name or properly assigned to the maiden name.

3. Marriage License - A copy of the Marriage Certificate.

4. Lien/Security Interest Release (Form T-4) - Lien or security interests shown on the supporting documents must be released or shown on the new title application.  If the lien has not been satisfied, the lien holder must provide a letterhead statement authorizing the Motor Vehicle Division to issue a title in the owner's married name.  In this case, the lien does not have to be released and the title application must reflect the lien information.

5. Processing Fee - $18.00

Name Change Due to Divorce
In order for a Georgia Certificate of Title to be issued in the name of the person awarded a vehicle after divorce, the following documents must be submitted to the Motor Vehicle Division or County Tag Office:

1. Title Application - Must be completed in detail, typed in full, and signed by the applicant.

2. Transfer Document - Valid title or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.

3. Divorce Decree - A certified copy of the Divorce Decree awarding the vehicle to the applicant if the final decree does not list the vehicle, an affidavit from the attorney representing the applicant should be submitted stating that the vehicle was awarded to the applicant.  This statement must be on the attorney's letterhead stationery, be signed by the attorney, and include a description of the vehicle (e.g. Year, make & VIN number)

4. Lien/Security Interest Release (Form T-4) - A release of lien or security interest release from the lien or security interest shown on the supporting documents or a copy of the transfer agreement  from the person whom the supporting document was issued to the applicant.  If the account is being transferred, the lien must be shown on the title application.  In lieu of a lien release the lien holder may provide a letterhead statement authorizing the issuance of a title in the name of the person awarded the vehicle. In this case the lien information must be shown on the title application.

5. Processing Fee - $18.00 

NOTE: An owner has ninety (90) days to apply for a Georgia Certificate of Title after the Divorce Decree is final.  Failure to do so will result in a penalty fee of $10.00 being assessed.  If documents are not in order and have to be rejected, they must be returned to the Motor Vehicle Division or applicable county tag agent within sixty (60) days of the rejection notice or a penalty fee of $10.00 will be assessed.  If penalties are due, they must be remitted to the Motor Vehicle Division with the supporting documents.