Georgia Bill of Sale (2026): Form T-7, TAVT, Notary, Odometer

Updated October 11, 2026. Quick answer: Georgia has an official bill of sale, Form T-7 from the Department of Revenue. DOR requires a bill of sale only for a vehicle that needs no title (model year 1985 or older); for a titled vehicle the transfer is the assignment on the back of the title, and DOR’s seller steps also say to complete the T-7. Georgia charges a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax of 7.0 percent of the vehicle’s fair market value instead of sales tax. DOR’s pages give two different title deadlines, 7 days and 30 days, so confirm with your county tag office.

When does Georgia require a bill of sale?

DOR’s casual-sale checklist asks for one in a single case: “Provide Bill of Sale if the vehicle is 1985 or older” and does not require a title. The T-7 itself says a title is needed for a “1986 or newer model year motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper”. For a titled vehicle, DOR’s seller steps still tell the seller to “Complete a Bill of Sale Form T-7.” without saying whether that step is mandatory. We could not retrieve the text of the Georgia Code sections on title transfer (O.C.G.A. 40-3-32 and 40-3-33), so this page rests on what DOR publishes, not on the statute.

What the T-7 asks for

Form T-7 is the Motor Vehicle Division’s Bill of Sale, revised 9-2022. Its purpose, in DOR’s words, is “to provide evidence that a transaction” took place between buyer and seller. Section A collects the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, date of sale and purchase price. Section B is the seller’s information; Section C is the purchaser’s; Section D records any lienholders or other encumbrance holders; Section E is the certification that the statements are true. The buyer then uses Form MV-1 to apply for the title.

Notary and witnesses

The T-7 and the MV-1 title application contain neither the word notary nor the word witness, and the DOR pages we read do not ask for one. A related rule matters more: delivering or accepting a title that has been signed over with the buyer left blank is a crime. DOR quotes O.C.G.A. 40-3-91(c): any person who “delivers or accepts a certificate of title assigned in blank” is guilty of a misdemeanor, so fill in the buyer before you hand over a signed title.

Odometer disclosure

DOR says “Sellers must accurately disclose vehicle’s odometer reading at the time of sale” on a secure transfer document, and that “Vehicles that are 20 model years old or older” are exempt, in which case the seller may enter exempt. The T-7 repeats it: “Twenty (20) model years old and older vehicles are exempt”. The federal rule, 49 CFR 580.17, uses a 20 year ladder for model year 2011 and newer and a 10 year ladder for model year 2010 and older: “at least 20 years after January 1 of the calendar year”.

Tax and fees: TAVT, not sales tax

Georgia charges a Title Ad Valorem Tax on a vehicle purchase, and DOR says “It replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax”. The rate: “TAVT rate is 7.0% of the fair market value”, and it is “one-time tax that is paid at the time the vehicle is titled”. DOR’s page does not name the payer; it is due when the vehicle is titled, and DOR assigns the titling step to the buyer. Note the base: it is the fair market value, not necessarily the price on the bill of sale. DOR lists reduced rates for some transfers, including “New residents to Georgia pay TAVT at a rate of 3%”. The title fee is “$18 title fee”.

Deadlines: DOR gives two answers

The casual-sale page says title and registration “must be completed within 7 days of purchase date”. The fee schedule page says “owners have 30 days from the date the vehicle was purchased” to apply for title. We cannot tell you which governs from DOR’s pages alone, so treat the shorter figure as the safe one and confirm with your county tag office.

For the seller, DOR says the vehicle owner “must transfer ownership AND cancel registration of the vehicle”, online or on Form MV-18J. We did not find a notice-of-sale form or a day count for the seller in DOR’s pages.

Common mistakes

• Handing over a title signed over in blank. Georgia treats that as a misdemeanor.
• Assuming a T-7 is optional on a 1985 or older vehicle that needs no title. DOR asks for it there.
• Expecting sales tax. Georgia charges the 7.0 percent TAVT on fair market value, not a sales tax on price.
• Missing the title deadline because DOR’s pages disagree. Plan on the 7 day figure until your tag office says otherwise.
• Forgetting to cancel the registration as the seller.

Related on this site: bill of sale rules by state, Georgia small estate affidavit and transferring a car title after death.

Sources

• Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, Form T-7, Bill of Sale (Revised 9-2022): https://dor.georgia.gov/document/document-document/t-7-bill-sale/download
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Title and Register a Vehicle Purchased in a Casual Sale: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/title-motor-vehicles/title-and-register-vehicle-purchased-casual-sale
• Georgia Department of Revenue, How Do I Sell a Car?: https://dor.georgia.gov/how-do-i-sell-car
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Responsibilities of Sellers and Buyers: https://dor.georgia.gov/responsibilities-sellers-and-buyers
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Vehicle Taxes: Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) and Annual Ad Valorem: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/vehicle-registration-license-plates/vehicle-taxes-title-ad-valorem-tax-tavt-and
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Odometer Disclosure Information: https://dor.georgia.gov/odometer-disclosure-information-0
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicles Fees, Fines, and Penalties: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/vehicle-registration-license-plates/motor-vehicles-fees-fines-and-penalties
• Georgia Department of Revenue, Transfer a Vehicle Titled in Georgia: https://dor.georgia.gov/transfer-vehicle-titled-georgia
• 49 CFR part 580, Odometer Disclosure Requirements (eCFR, data as of October 1, 2026): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-580

Sources: the primary documents linked above, read on October 11, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice. State agencies change forms, fees and deadlines, so confirm the current figure with your state motor vehicle agency before you sign or file.