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Selling An Inherited Vehicle

Motor Vehicle / Inheritance Titling / Titling an Inherited Vehicle

Please Note: Under normal circumstances, the information provided below is required to transfer ownership of an inherited vehicle. Other documentation may be required upon review of paperwork at the tag office.

If you have inherited a vehicle that is currently titled in Georgia, and you wish to sell it, you must first follow Georgia inheritance procedures.

With No Will

  • If the vehicle has a Georgia title with only one owner listed and they are deceased and did not have a will, and you are the inheritor, you can sell the vehicle by first titling the vehicle in your name by following the Georgia inheritance procedures. Once the vehicle is titled in the inheritor’s name, the vehicle can be sold.
  • If there are two or more owners listed on the Georgia title and all are Georgia residents and one of the owners is deceased and did not have a will, the surviving owner(s) can sell or transfer ownership of the vehicle by correctly signing the Georgia title as seller and providing the buyer with a copy of the certified death certificate of the deceased owner(s).
  • If there are two or more owners listed on the Georgia title and all are Georgia residents and deceased and they did not have a will, the inheritor of the vehicle must title the vehicle in their name. Once the vehicle is titled in the inheritor’s name, it can be sold by the inheritor.
  • If the vehicle has a Georgia title and the inheritor(s) or the surviving owner(s) is not a Georgia resident, the inheritor(s) or surviving owner(s) must apply for a title in their state of residency prior to selling or transferring the title to a Georgia resident.

With a Non-Probated Will

  • If the vehicle has a Georgia title where there is only one owner listed and they are deceased and had a non-probated will, you can change the name on the title or inherit the vehicle by following Georgia inheritance procedures. If there are two or more owners listed on the Georgia title and all are Georgia residents and one of the owners is deceased, the surviving owner(s) must title the vehicle in their name prior to selling or transferring ownership of the vehicle. Georgia inheritance procedures must be followed to complete the name change.
  • If the vehicle has a Georgia title and the inheritor(s) or the surviving owner(s) is not a Georgia resident, the inheritor(s) or surviving owner(s) must apply for a title in their state of residency prior to selling or transferring the title to a Georgia resident.

With a Probated Will

If the court-appointed executor listed on the Letters of Testamentary at the time the will was probated is not a resident Georgia resident, the executor must apply for a title in their name in their state of residency prior to the vehicle being sold or transferring ownership to a Georgia resident. If you reside in Hall County and have purchased a vehicle with a Georgia title with two or more owners and one of the owners is deceased and they 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 must also sign the back of the 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 1986 and newer motor vehicles.

Letters of Testamentary

  • The executor must provide the buyer(s) with a certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary.

Title Application

  • All buyers must sign the 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 application must be submitted.

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 holder release form can be 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 of the estate needs to contact the lien or security interest holder to determine what is required to change ownership.

Valid Georgia Driver’s License (DL) or Georgia Identification (ID) Card of the buyer(s).

  • All buyers must present a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID.
  • If any buyer is not able to visit the tag office, a legible photocopy is required.

Other Information

An $18 fee is required to title the vehicle in the new owner’s name(s). Title tax may be due when transferring ownership of the inherited vehicle.

If a Georgia license plate must be issued, a Georgia insurance and a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID card are all required. Ad valorem tax and tag registration fees must be paid, if applicable.

If you are a Hall County resident and have any questions concerning your situation, contact us at tagoffice@hallcounty.org or 770-531-6950.

For more information on obtaining a Georgia DL or ID, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services website.

Titling An Inherited Vehicle

Motor Vehicle / Inheritance Titling / Titling an Inherited Vehicle

Please Note: Under normal circumstances, the information provided below is required to process a name change due to inheritance. Other documentation may be required upon review of paperwork at the tag office.

Non-Probated Will

If the vehicle has a Georgia title and the inheritor is not a Georgia resident, the inheritor must apply for a title in their state of residency.

For a non-probated will, if the executor of the estate is not a Georgia resident, Georgia does not require the executor to title the vehicle in their name in their state of residency prior to the Georgia resident inheriting the vehicle.

If you are a Hall resident and need to apply for a Georgia title on a vehicle you are inheriting and there is a non-probated will, the following are required:

  • Current Original Title
    • Georgia title – The title submitted must be issued in the name of the deceased owner(s).
    • If the Georgia title is in the name of the deceased owner(s) and is not available, a Georgia title can be applied for in the inheritor’s name, as long as the current/valid vehicle registration is submitted.
    • Out-of-state title – The out-of-state title issued in the name of deceased owner(s) must be submitted.
    • If the vehicle is titled in another state in the deceased owner’s name and the title is not available, the inheritor(s) must apply for a title following the inheritance procedures of the state where the last title was issued.
    • A title is required for all motor vehicles 1986 and newer.
    • All inheritors of the vehicle must sign the title application.
    • If any inheritor 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.
  • A Certified Copy of the Death Certificate
  • A Certified Copy of the Non-Probated Will
    • The form must be completed in the inheritor’s name(s).
    • The inheritor(s) must sign the form and it must be notarized.
    • If all inheritors are present at the tag office with a valid Georgia driver’s license (DL) with their current Hall County address or Georgia identification (ID) card, the form can be signed and notarized at the tag office.
    • The original form must be submitted.
    • Any liens or security interests shown on the current title must be released 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 holder release form (T-4 Satisfaction of MV Title Lien or Security Interest Affidavit) can be completed by the lien or security interest holder. The original form must be submitted. To find this form, please visit the Department of Revenue’s website by clicking here.
  • Valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID of the Current Titled Owner(s)
    • All inheritors must present a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID.
    • If any inheritor is not able to visit the tag office, a legible photocopy is required with a Limited Power of Attorney Affidavit signed and notarized.

Probated Will

If the court-appointed executor on the Letter of Testamentary at the time the will was probated is not a Georgia resident, the executor must apply for a title in their name in their state of residency prior to the vehicle being sold or ownership transferred to a resident of Georgia.

You can change the name on a title when the deceased vehicle owner(s) had a will that was probated, and you are named as the executor on the Letter of Testamentary.  If there is more than one executor named, one of the executors can title the vehicle without requiring the signature(s) of all named executors.

If you are a Hall County resident and need to apply for a Georgia title on a vehicle that you are inheriting where the will has been probated and you have been named executor, the following documents are required:

  • Current Original Title
    • Georgia title – The title being submitted must be issued in the name of the deceased owner(s).
    • If the Georgia title is currently in the name of the deceased owner(s) and is not available, a Georgia title can be applied for in the executor’s name, as long as the current/valid vehicle registration is submitted.
    • Out-of-state title – If the vehicle is titled in another state, the out-of-state title issued in the name of the deceased owner(s) must be submitted.
    • If the vehicle is titled in another state in the deceased owner’s name and the title is not available, the inheritor(s) must apply for a title following the inheritance procedures of the state where the last title was issued.
    • A title is required for all motor vehicles 1986 and newer.
  • Title Application
    • The executor must sign the title application.
    • If the executor 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.
  • Letters of Testamentary, Permanent Letter of Administration or Year’s Support issued by the court
    • The Letter of Testamentary or the Permanent Letter of Administration, listing the name of the executor must be submitted.
    • If  the Year’s Support paperwork is submitted, the person granted the Year’s Support must title the vehicle in their name.
    • The Year’s Support paperwork must show a complete description of the vehicle (year, make and vehicle identification number).
  • Lien/Security Interest Release
    • Any liens or security interests shown on the current title must be released 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 holder release form can be 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 inheritor(s) will need to contact the lien or security interest holder to request the name change on the title.
  • Valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID Card of the Current Titled Owner(s)
    • The executor must present a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID.
    • If the executor is not able to visit the tag office, a legible photocopy is required.

No Will

If the vehicle has a Georgia title and the inheritor is not a Georgia resident, the inheritor must apply for a title in their state of residency.

Each state’s inheritance laws differ.  Some states require an executor to be assigned to the estate when there is a no will.  If there is not a will, and the executor of the estate is not a Georgia resident, Georgia does not require the executor to title the vehicle in their name in their state of residency prior to the Georgia resident inheriting the vehicle.

If you are a Hall County resident and need to apply for a Georgia title on a vehicle that you are inheriting and there is no will, the following documents are required:

  • Current Original Title
    • Georgia title – The title being submitted must be issued in the name of the deceased owner(s).
    • If the Georgia title is currently in the name of the deceased owner(s) and is not available, a Georgia title can be applied for in the inheritor’s name, as long as the current/valid vehicle registration is submitted.
    • Out-of-state title – The out-of-state title issued in the name of deceased owner(s) must be submitted.
    • If the vehicle is titled in another state in the deceased owner’s name and the title is not available, the inheritor(s) must apply for a title following the inheritance procedures of the state where the last title was issued.
    • A title is required for all motor vehicles 1986 and newer.
    • All inheritors of the vehicle must sign the title application.
    • If any inheritor is not able to visit the tag office, the form can be filled out online, printed and signed.
    • The original application must be submitted.
  • A Certified Copy of the Death Certificate
    • The form must be completed in the inheritor’s name(s).
    • The inheritor(s) must sign it and the form must be notarized.
    • If all inheritors are present at the tag office with a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID, the form can be signed by the inheritors and notarized there.
    • The original form must be submitted.
    • Any liens or security interests shown on the current title must be released 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 can be 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 inheritor(s) will need to contact the lien or security interest holder in order to request the name change on the title.
  • Valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia ID of the Current Titled Owner(s)
    • All inheritors must present a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID.
    • If any inheritor is not able to visit the tag office, a legible photocopy is required with a Limited Power of Attorney Affidavit signed and notarized.

Other Information

An $18 fee is required for the name change on the title. Title tax may be due when transferring ownership of the inherited vehicle; click here to determine the amount.

If a Georgia license plate must be issued, Georgia Insurance and a valid Georgia DL or Georgia ID card is required.  Ad valorem tax and tag registration fees must be paid if applicable.

If you are a Hall County resident and you would like to request a name change on a title, visit our Hall County office bring your title and the court document that reflects reason of name change.