Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Georgia? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Georgia transfers ownership through the signed title and the Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application (Form MV-1), but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price the county uses to figure your tax, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tolls, tickets, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Georgia requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Georgia?
For most 1986-and-newer vehicles, ownership transfers through the signed title and Form MV-1 at your county tag office. A bill of sale is strongly recommended because it documents the sale price used to calculate your tax. For pre-1986 vehicles never titled, Georgia requires Form T-7, the state's official bill of sale.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Georgia does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for the title (Form MV-1) and pay the tax at the county tag office within 30 days of the sale. Filing late adds a 10% penalty on the TAVT owed, plus 1% interest per month until it's paid.
Motor vehicle tax (TAVT)
Georgia charges a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) instead of sales tax — 7.0% of the vehicle's fair market value from the state assessment manual, paid by the buyer at the county tag office when the title is transferred.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Georgia county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files Form MV-1 at the county tag office within 30 days.
Ready to create your Georgia bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Georgia bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Georgiabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than your county tag office (Tax Commissioner). Confirm the details with your county tag office (Tax Commissioner).
Georgia bill of sale FAQ
Does a Georgia motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Georgia does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form MV-1 at your county tag office — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Georgia?
For 1986-and-newer vehicles it isn't strictly required to transfer the title (the signed title and Form MV-1 handle that), but it's strongly recommended — the county uses it to set your tax. Pre-1986 untitled vehicles do require Form T-7, the state bill of sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Georgia?
At your county tag office, run by the county Tax Commissioner — Georgia has no central DMV. The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Form MV-1, the bill of sale, proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and TAVT.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Georgia?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to apply for the title and pay TAVT at the county tag office. After 30 days, Georgia adds a 10% penalty on the tax owed plus 1% interest per month, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Georgia?
Georgia doesn't charge ordinary sales tax on vehicles — instead it's a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 7.0% of the vehicle's fair market value. The buyer pays it at the county tag office when transferring the title.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Georgia?
Yes — for most sales Georgia doesn't mandate a specific bill of sale form, so a handwritten one is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the tag office.
Is this Georgia bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.