A Georgia bill of sale is used for transactions involving vehicles, boats, and other significant assets. This document serves as proof of the transaction and outlines the terms of the sale, including the identities of both the buyer and seller, a detailed description of the item, the sale price, and the date of the transaction. Both parties typically sign the bill of sale, and while notarization is not required, it can provide added legal assurance.
How to Register a Vehicle in Georgia
In Georgia, vehicles must be registered within 30 days of purchase or establishing residency. To register a vehicle, visit your County Tag Office. You can find office locations and hours by using the County Tag Office locations website.
Bill of Sale – By Type (5)
Use a vehicle bill of sale form to buy or sell a motor vehicle.
Vehicle Bill of Sale
Use a boat bill of sale to transfer ownership of recreational water vehicles (such as motorboats, sailboats, yachts, and jet skis).
Boat Bill of Sale
Use a trailer bill of sale to buy or sell a trailer (or any non-motorized vehicle pulled by another vehicle).
Trailer Bill of Sale
Use a firearm bill of sale to transfer ownership of a gun (such as a handgun, rifle, or shotgun).
Firearm Bill of Sale
Use a motorcycle bill of sale to transfer ownership of a motorcycle.
Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Requirements
Georgia requires all vehicle and vessel sales transactions to be recorded with a bill of sale to be submitted to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) for registering vehicles and to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) for registering vessels.
The DOR provides an official form, and the WRD provides the Certified Form for Vessels, though you can draft your bills of sale if you choose. The document records the purchase and serves as a valuable receipt for both the seller and the buyer.
Language and Copy Requirements
- Language: Like all DOR and WDR forms, official bills of sale are only printed in English, though translators can be brought to the offices to aid in filling out the forms.
- Number of Copies: Once the buyer signs the original bill of sale, the seller should make two copies. The seller should keep one for his or her records and give the buyer one to do the same. The buyer will then file the original with the local tax commissioner’s office as part of the vehicle’s registration process.
Vehicle Registration Forms
- Bill of sale (Form T-7)
- MV-1 DOR Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application
- Odometer disclosure statement
- The original title of the vehicle
- Proof of vehicle insurance
- Registration fees
- Driver’s license or state identification
- A motor vehicle power of attorney (Form T-8) – if someone represents the seller during the vehicle purchase or transfer transaction
Boat Registration Forms
- Bill of Sale
- Vessel Registration/Title Application (REV 2020)
- Copy of the manufacturer’s statement of origin for new vessels
- Title from the issuing state or the registration card if a title is not required in the former state (for out-of-state vessels)
Sample
