Registering or Titling a Vehicle
If you are purchasing or transferring ownership of a vehicle, you should apply immediately for your title and obtain or transfer a Georgia license plate at the Newton County Tag office.
Georgia law requires that you apply for or transfer title and registration for your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Georgia or moving from one county to another.
Update your address on your Georgia driver’s license or ID card online through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You can then change the address on your registration online using DRIVES e-Services or in person at Newton County tag office in Covington.
New Residents to Georgia
If your vehicles are registered out of state, the following are required to obtain a Georgia title and registration:
- Your current out of state title or current out of state registration (if there is a lienholder)
- Residents coming from the following states must submit the title: Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Wyoming.
- Valid Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID with a Newton County address (non-resident military are exempt).
- Valid Georgia insurance.
- Lienholder’s name, address, and account number, if applicable.
- An original, notarized power of attorney and a copy of the driver’s license/ID from any owner not present at the time of registration.
Note: Georgia requires new residents to register and title their motor vehicle and pay TAVT within 30 days of moving to the state. If a lienholder is recorded on the title, the Georgia title will be printed and mailed to the lienholder. If NO lienholder is recorded on the title, the Georgia title will be printed and mailed to you as the registered owner.
For information on how to obtain a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia identification card, visit the Department of Driver Services website.
Purchasing from a Dealership
When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, in most cases the dealer will submit the necessary documents to apply for the title. Your title application must be processed either before the registration is issued or at the same time the registration is issued.
If you have not received notification of the title status within 25 days from the date of purchase, contact your dealer.
Once the title has been processed, the following are required to obtain a license plate:
- Valid Georgia Insurance.
- Valid Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID with a Newton County address (non-resident military are exempt).
- An original, notarized power of attorney and a copy of the driver’s license/ID from any owner not present at the time of registration.
- For leased vehicles, your original lease agreement.
Effective July 1, 2015: If you purchased a brand new vehicle (i.e., one that has never been sold for retail), you have the option of receiving a two-year registration for a $40 fee (standard plates only). This only applies to initial registration on passenger vehicles designed to carry 10 passengers or less.
Purchasing from an Individual or Business
If you purchased your vehicle from an individual or business (other than a dealer) in a casual/private sale, you are required to be titled and registered within seven (7) business days from the purchase date.
When the seller has provided a title properly assigned to the new owner(s) the following are required to complete the title transfer:
- Valid Georgia Insurance.
- Valid Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID with a Newton County address (non-resident military are exempt).
- An original, notarized power of attorney and a copy of the driver’s license/ID from any owner not present at the time of registration.
- Copy of the bill of sale from the seller.
- Original Certificate of Title.
- Other documentation may be required upon review of the paperwork.
Note: All title transfers must be done in the purchaser’s county of residence. Typically, lienholders will submit the necessary documents to apply for titles on financed vehicles.
