Vehicle Inherited or Purchased from an Estate

Note: If a Georgia title has not been issued for the vehicle and the inheritor is not a legal resident of Georgia, the inheritor must obtain a title in their name first from their home state before selling or transferring the ownership of the vehicle to a Georgia resident.

Titles and tags can be obtained at your County Tag Office for a vehicle that has been inherited or purchased from an estate. The following information is required:

1. Completed and signed MV-1 Title/Tag Application.
2. Original valid title issued in the deceased’s name or properly assigned to the deceased with all recorded liens and/or security interests released in the spaces provided on the title.
   • If the title is not available, a replacement title cannot be issued in a deceased person’s name, then the title holder will have to request a duplicate title to assign to the estate.
   • If the title is issued to someone else or titled in another state, the title must be submitted, issued to, or properly assigned to, the deceased.
3. Completed and signed Form T-4 Lien or Security Interest Release.
4. Inheritance Document – submit:
   • Certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary, or
   • Certified copy of Year’s Support, or
   • The following:
     • Completed and signed Form T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance in the inheritor’s full legal name.
       • If there is only one heir, a legible copy of No Administration Necessary may be submitted in lieu of Form T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance.
       • If Form T-20 is submitted, the inheritor must title the vehicle in their name first before selling or transferring ownership.
     • Certified copy of the deceased’s death certificate.
     • If the vehicle is inherited by a family member, Form MV-16 Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship may be required.  Learn more about Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) exemptions that may apply in this situation.
     • If Will is not to be probated, (i.e., Will contains only “limited” assets), a legible copy of the non-probated Will must be submitted.
     • If the inheritor does not have Letters of Testamentary, they must title the vehicle in their name first before selling or transferring ownership.
5. Transfer Document  
   • If vehicle is purchased from an estate, the executor must complete the title assignment transferring ownership using their full legal name.
   • If the vehicle is exempt from the odometer disclosure requirements and the title is not available, the executor should complete and sign a Form T-7 Bill of Sale, transferring the ownership.
   • If the title is not available and an odometer disclosure is required, the executor must title the vehicle in their name or in the name of the estate first before transferring ownership.
6. $18 title fee
7. Exceptions:
   • Title Issued to a Company Whose Sole Owner is Deceased
     • Submit a signed letter from the office that issues business license stating the deceased (using their name as it appears on the death certificate) was the sole owner of the company.
   • Executor is Deceased
     • Submit Temporary Letters of Administration.
     • Apply for a title in the name of the estate only.
     • Cannot sell or transfer ownership of the vehicle without Permanent Letters of Administration.