How to Obtain a Georgia Certificate of Title for a Vehicle Originating From a Foreign Country

To apply for a Georgia certificate of title for a vehicle originating from a foreign country, the following documents and fees must be submitted to the Motor Vehicle Division or the tag office in the county in Georgia where the owner resides together.

For a New Vehicle

  1. A tag and/or title application, Form MV-1, completed in the vehicle owner(s)’ full legal name(s). This completed application must be signed by the vehicle owner(s) individually. An individual’s full legal name is his/her complete name as it appears on his/her valid driver’s license or Georgia identification card. For individuals, please record either each owner’s valid driver’s license number and the name of the issuing state or his/her Georgia identification card number in the spaces provided.
  2. The original valid manufacturer’s certificate of origin* issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer properly assigned to the applicant(s) for Georgia title or the valid foreign registration certificate* issued by the country where the vehicle was last registered in the current owner(s)’ name(s). For the vehicle to be titled as a ‘new’ vehicle, the foreign registration certificate must be issued in the current owner(s)’ name(s) as shown on the tag and/or title application, Form MV-1.
  3. If a foreign registration certificate is submitted in lieu of the manufacturer’s certificate of origin, we must also have a Certification of Inspection, Form T-22B, completed by a Georgia law enforcement officer or a county tag agent or his/her designated employee after making a visual inspection of the vehicle’s serial plate.
  4. A check or money order for the $18.00 title fee made payable to the applicable processing office, Department of Revenue or Office of the Tax Commissioner. If the title is not applied for within ninety-days (90) of the date of the D.O.T. certification, a $10.00 title penalty must be included in your payment.

For a Used Vehicle

  1. A completed tag and/or title application, Form MV-1. This application must be typed, electronically completed and printed or legibly hand printed in blue or black ink in the vehicle owner(s)’ full legal name(s). This application must be signed by the applicant(s) individually. An individual’s full legal name is his/her complete name as it appears on his/her valid driver’s license or Georgia identification card. For individuals, record each owner’s valid driver’s license number and name of issuing state/country or his/her valid Georgia identification card number in the spaces provided.
  2. The valid registration certificate* issued by the country where the vehicle was last registered.
  3. Bill(s) of sale* from the registered owner(s) up through the applicant(s) for Georgia title must be submitted showing a complete and correct chain of ownership. Invoices are not acceptable. These bill(s) of sale must show a complete description of the vehicle, e.g. year, make and vehicle identification number, and be signed by the seller(s).
  4. A Certification of Inspection, Form T-22B, completed by a Georgia law enforcement officer or a county tag agent or his/her designated employee after making a visual inspection of the vehicle’s serial plate.
  5. All liens and security interests shown on the supporting documents must either be shown on the tag and/or title application, Form MV-1, or a properly executed lien or security interest release form submitted.
  6. A check or money order for the $18.00 title fee. If the title is not applied for within ninety-days (90) of the purchase date, a $10.00 title penalty must be included in your check or money order.
  7. Proof that the vehicle complies with all Federal safety standards must be submitted from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. A letter from the converter who did the work on the vehicle is not acceptable.

Important Information

If the document is in a foreign language, it must be accompanied by the following document(s):

  1. An English translation of the foreign document must be provided.
  2. A statement from the applicant for Georgia certificate of title must be submitted certifying that the information contained on the documents submitted for Georgia certificate of title is true and correct.

For additional information, please contact your county tag office or our telephone inquiry unit at: (404) 362-6500.

If you are unable to obtain these documents, the only way a Georgia certificate of title can be obtained is on the basis of a surety bond. Please note: Applications for title supported by a surety bond must also be accompanied by the certification from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

For information regarding securing a Georgia certificate of title on the basis of a surety bond, please visit our website, dor.georgia.gov, contact your county tag office or telephone our Surety Bond Section at: (404) 362-6482 or (404) 362-6483 or in writing at the following address:

Attention: Surety Bond Section
DOR/Motor Vehicle Division
P. O. Box 740381 Atlanta, GA 30374-0381

Important: No Georgia title will be issued for a vehicle not required to be titled in this state, e.g. 1985 and older year model vehicles, etc., based on a surety bond or foreign documents.

Related Information

Transfer Title and License Plate from another State or Country