If the executor appointed by the court listed on the Letters of Testamentary at the time the will was probated is not a resident of the state of Georgia, the executor must apply for a title in his state of residency in his name prior to the vehicle being sold or transferring ownership to a resident of Georgia.
Under normal circumstances, the information provided below is required to process a name change on a Georgia title when you are purchasing a vehicle and one of the owners is deceased, and the deceased owner had a probated will. Other documentation may be required upon review of paperwork at the Tag Office.
If you are a resident of Georgia and reside in Gwinnett County and have purchased a vehicle that has a Georgia title with two or more owners and one of the owners is deceased and the deceased owner had a probated will, the following documents must be submitted in order to change the name on the title:
Current Georgia title
- Surviving owner(s) must sign the title as seller.
- The executor listed on the Letters of Testamentary for the deceased owner must also sign the back of the Georgia title as seller on behalf of the deceased owner.
- If there is more than one executor, only one is required to sign as seller.
- If the vehicle is titled in another state in the deceased owner’s name and the title is not available, the executor must apply for a title following the inheritance procedures of the state where the last title was issued.
- All buyers must sign the title.
- A title is required for all motor vehicles year 1986 and newer.
Letters of Testamentary.
- The executor must provide the buyer(s) with a certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary.
- All buyers must sign the MV-1 title application.
- If any buyer is not able to visit the Tag Office, the form can be filled out online, printed and signed.
- The original title application must be submitted with the buyers’ signatures.
Lien / Security Interest Release
- Any liens or security interests shown on the current title must be released in order for the name change to be processed.
- The lien or security interest may be released on the front of the title in the Release of Lien area or a Lien Release form (Form T-4, click here) can be completed by the lien or security interest holder.
- If a Lien Release form (Form T-4, click here) is completed by the lien or security interest holder, the original form must be submitted.
- If any lien or security interest has not been satisfied, the surviving owner or executor/executrix of the estate will need to contact the lien or security interest holder to determine what will be required to change ownership.
Valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card of the buyer(s).
- All buyers must present a valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card.
- If any buyer is not able to visit the Tag Office, a legible photocopy of the Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card is required.
$18 fee is required for the name change on the title.
- A $10 title penalty will be charged if the title is not applied for within 30 days of the purchase date.
Georgia sales tax will be required to be paid if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealer or business. (A bill of sale will be required on the vehicle to calculate the amount of Georgia sales tax due.)
If a Georgia license plate is required to be issued, Georgia emissions (click here), Georgia insurance (click here), and a valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card will be required. Proof of Residency (click here) will be required if the Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card does not have a current Gwinnett County address. Ad valorem tax and tag registration fees must be paid if applicable.
If you are a Gwinnett County resident and have any questions concerning your situation, contact the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s Customer Service Center at 770-822-8818 or visit any Gwinnett County Tag Office. Please click here for locations.
For more information on obtaining a Georgia Driver's License or Georgia Identification Card, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services at www.dds.ga.gov.
Updated 6/3/09
If the executor appointed by the court listed on the Letters of Testamentary at the time the will was probated is not a resident of the state of Georgia, the executor must apply for a title in his state of residency in his name prior to the vehicle being sold or transferring ownership to a resident of Georgia.
Under normal circumstances, the information provided below is required to process a name change on a Georgia title when you are purchasing a vehicle and one of the owners is deceased, and the deceased owner had a probated will. Other documentation may be required upon review of paperwork at the Tag Office.
If you are a resident of Georgia and reside in Gwinnett County and have purchased a vehicle that has a Georgia title with two or more owners and one of the owners is deceased and the deceased owner had a probated will, the following documents must be submitted in order to change the name on the title:
Current Georgia title
- Surviving owner(s) must sign the title as seller.
- The executor listed on the Letters of Testamentary for the deceased owner must also sign the back of the Georgia title as seller on behalf of the deceased owner.
- If there is more than one executor, only one is required to sign as seller.
- If the vehicle is titled in another state in the deceased owner’s name and the title is not available, the executor must apply for a title following the inheritance procedures of the state where the last title was issued.
- All buyers must sign the title.
- A title is required for all motor vehicles year 1986 and newer.
Letters of Testamentary.
- The executor must provide the buyer(s) with a certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary.
- All buyers must sign the MV-1 title application.
- If any buyer is not able to visit the Tag Office, the form can be filled out online, printed and signed.
- The original title application must be submitted with the buyers’ signatures.
Lien / Security Interest Release
- Any liens or security interests shown on the current title must be released in order for the name change to be processed.
- The lien or security interest may be released on the front of the title in the Release of Lien area or a Lien Release form (Form T-4, click here) can be completed by the lien or security interest holder.
- If a Lien Release form (Form T-4, click here) is completed by the lien or security interest holder, the original form must be submitted.
- If any lien or security interest has not been satisfied, the surviving owner or executor/executrix of the estate will need to contact the lien or security interest holder to determine what will be required to change ownership.
Valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card of the buyer(s).
- All buyers must present a valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card.
- If any buyer is not able to visit the Tag Office, a legible photocopy of the Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card is required.
$18 fee is required for the name change on the title.
- A $10 title penalty will be charged if the title is not applied for within 30 days of the purchase date.
Georgia sales tax will be required to be paid if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealer or business. (A bill of sale will be required on the vehicle to calculate the amount of Georgia sales tax due.)
If a Georgia license plate is required to be issued, Georgia emissions (click here), Georgia insurance (click here), and a valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card will be required. Proof of Residency (click here) will be required if the Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card does not have a current Gwinnett County address. Ad valorem tax and tag registration fees must be paid if applicable.
If you are a Gwinnett County resident and have any questions concerning your situation, contact the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s Customer Service Center at 770-822-8818 or visit any Gwinnett County Tag Office. Please click here for locations.
For more information on obtaining a Georgia Driver's License or Georgia Identification Card, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services at www.dds.ga.gov.
Updated 6/3/09