Motor vehicles; application for certificate of title; provisions

New title paperwork rules for inherited vehicles

Georgia's first-title applications for vehicles last registered in another state or country require the prior title and requested ownership and lien records. Applicants who were the last registered owner in that state need not list the previous seller's name and address. For inherited vehicles last registered in another state under the deceased owner's name, applicants must submit that owner's last title. They must also provide the required inheritance records. Inheritance transfers require an application, the required fee, and the deceased owner's last title if available. Proof can include a certified will or court papers naming an estate administrator. Without estate administration, applicants can submit a sworn statement that the estate has no debts and the spouse and heirs agreed on its division. A probate court certificate assigning the vehicle as part of the survivors' year's support is another option. A separate will-based process applies when the vehicle was the deceased person's only asset. Its sworn statement must confirm ownership, no vehicle liens, no estate debts, entitlement under the will, and no pending estate administration or will probate. It must also confirm that the spouse and heirs can legally act for themselves and agree to the transfer. The commissioner can require a specific sworn-statement form and must issue the title when the required evidence establishes entitlement.