Georgia Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Georgia?

Georgia does not strictly require a standalone bill of sale if the title is properly assigned, but county tag offices rely on the bill of sale to verify the purchase price and assess the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT). The Georgia Department of Revenue publishes an official Bill of Sale (Form T-7), which includes sections for vehicle identification, buyer and seller information, sale price, odometer disclosure, and lien status. In practice, having a completed Form T-7 prevents processing delays at the county tag office.

What is the Title Ad Valorem Tax?

Georgia does not charge traditional sales tax on vehicle purchases. Instead, buyers pay a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 7.0% of the vehicle's fair market value at the time of title transfer (O.C.G.A. §48-5C-1). This replaced the old system of sales tax plus annual property tax effective March 1, 2013. Once the TAVT is paid, the owner does not owe annual vehicle property tax for as long as they own the vehicle.

The critical distinction for private-party buyers: TAVT is calculated on the vehicle's fair market value as determined by the state motor vehicle assessment manual, not on the purchase price stated in the bill of sale. Paying less than market value for a vehicle does not reduce the tax owed. The fair market value is calculated by averaging the current wholesale and retail values of the vehicle. Two reduced rates apply: transfers between immediate family members where TAVT was previously paid qualify for a 0.5% rate, and new Georgia residents pay 3.0% when titling a vehicle brought from another state.

Does a Georgia bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Georgia does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for a standard private-party sale. The signed title and bill of sale are sufficient. Family transfers claiming the reduced 0.5% TAVT rate do require a signed and notarized Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship (Form MV-16).

How quickly must the buyer register the vehicle?

Georgia has one of the shortest registration windows of any state. For vehicles purchased from a private party, the buyer can use the bill of sale and dated title in lieu of a temporary tag for 7 business days — not calendar days. After that, the vehicle cannot legally be operated without registration. The buyer has 30 days from the purchase date to submit the title application and TAVT payment to the county tag office before penalties begin to accrue: a $10 title penalty plus 10% of the TAVT owed, with an additional 1% added for each subsequent month of delay.

What information does a Georgia vehicle bill of sale need to include?

The Form T-7 requires the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and seller, the vehicle's year, make, model, body style, color, and VIN, the sale price, the date of sale, and an odometer disclosure certifying the mileage. The form also includes a section for recording any liens or encumbrances on the vehicle and a certification that the seller's statements are true and accurate. Federal odometer disclosure requirements (49 CFR §580.5) apply to vehicles less than 20 model years old.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller must remove their license plates from the vehicle before delivery. Georgia plates do not transfer with the vehicle. The seller should retain a copy of the signed bill of sale and the assigned title as proof of the transfer date, particularly because the seller may receive toll notices or violation citations until the buyer completes the title transfer at the county tag office.