Tags and Titles

Auto Registration, Tag/Title Information   
A motor vehicle must be registered within 30 days of purchase.
All vehicles 1986 and newer must be titled (not applicable to trailers weighing less than 2000 lbs.)

To Register a vehicle, you must have the following information:
• Title (if there is no lien on the vehicle) OR..
• Complete name and address of lien holder
• Owner’s certificate of registration
• Must have copy of Insurance company name and policy number.
• Current mileage
• Application signed by all owners shown on the ownership paperwork (application available at any tag office)
• Valid Georgia driver’s license with current Wayne County address

Five General Rules:
1. Remove the license plate from a vehicle before you sell the vehicle.
2. If you buy a vehicle that is registered (tagged) in Georgia, make sure the seller provides you with a copy of the vehicle’s registration and the original certificate of title which the seller has assigned to you.
3. If you sell a vehicle that is registered (tagged) in Georgia, make sure you provide the purchaser with a copy of the vehicles registration and the original certificate of title which you assign to the purchaser.
4. If a vehicle is not required to be titled (1985 or older) a bill of sale is provided In lieu of a certificate of title.
5. If you buy a vehicle and the previous owner’s license plate has been left on the vehicle, please try to return the license plate to the previous owner. If this is not possible, you must surrender any such license plate to your county tag agent when you apply for registration of the vehicle in your name.

When you sell a vehicle and cancel insurance.
Unless you transfer the tag from the “sold” vehicle to another vehicle within 30 days or cancel the registration, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) records will indicate the vehicle is without insurance. You will get a notice that your vehicle’s registration will be suspended and you must visit the Tax Commissioner’s Office with a notarized Form MV18J to update DOR records. DOR forms are available at Georgia Department of Revenue.

Cancel your registration at the County Tag Office when you cancel your insurance...
• If you sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle and you will not transfer the registration to another vehicle within 30 days.
• If the vehicle will not be operated for 30 or more days.

Georgia Motor Vehicle Department

ALL NEW RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED GEORGIA LICENSE PLATES DURING THE CURRENT YEAR WILL RECEIVE A RENEWAL PREBILL THE FOLLOWING YEAR TO RENEW THE TAG AND PAY THE AD VALOREM TAXES. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR RENEWAL PREBILL 30 DAYS BEFORE YOUR BIRTHDAY, CALL 706-821-2476 AND A PREBILL WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.

New Residents
New residents must purchase a Georgia Tag and/or decal within thirty (30) days after residence is established. Visitors who remain in the state for less than ninety (90) days, and out-of-state students are not required to register their vehicles In Georgia as long as they display a valid license plate from their home state unless they accept employment or engage in any trade, profession, or occupation in the State, or enters his or her children in Georgia public schools. In this case, they must purchase a Georgia tag and/or decal within thirty (30) days after entering Georgia. If you are coming in from another state, you must register In person and bring the following:
Valid drivers license
Proof of insurance
Previous state’s registration
Title, if clear
Lien holder name and address if a lien is on the vehicle.