Method of Payment
Payment may be in the form of a Company or Personal Check, Money Order or Certified Funds made payable to: DeKalb County Tax Commissioner.
Checks must have name, local address (PO Boxes are not acceptable), and bank account number pre-printed on the check. Please enter both your home and business phone numbers, driver's license number, and tag number on the face of your check.
Click here for information on alternate forms of payments including Visa/Mastercard, electronic check using our Pay By Phone System and Internet Tag Renewals
We cannot accept starter, counter, third party, payroll, or checks with an out of state or PO box address. Cash, Discover Card, and most Debit cards are accepted in person at all three locations. Please do not send cash through the mail.
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Newly Acquired Vehicles
Georgia residents who purchase vehicles from private owners must register the vehicle within 7 business days.
However, if purchasing from a dealership, the customer must register within 30 days of purchase.
New vehicle owners must apply for a title prior to or at the time of registration. Registration
and application for the title must be made in person at one of our
three locations.
The new owner must present a valid Georgia driver's license. If an owner is unable to appear in person,
an original notarized
Power-of-Attorney and a copy of the Georgia driver's license for that person must be presented
at the time of registration. The
Power-of-Attorney must include the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle.
If a bank, credit union, or other lender has applied for the title, the application for title must be received and verified by the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division. This applies to vehicles purchased or leased. If you have leased a vehicle, you must provide the lease agreement at the time of registration.
If you have possession of the title and wish to make application, the back side of the original title must be completely filled out, recording the buyer name, the seller name, both signatures, the date of sale and current odometer reading. Do not use whiteout, or cross through an error on the back of a title. A notarized affidavit of correction will need to be completed which must accompany the title, and MV1 form if corrections to a title must be made. These forms are available at this web site or one of our three office locations. Please note both seller and buyer may be needed to complete an affidavit of correction, depending on the error.
If the vehicle is purchased from an automobile dealer, the dealer assignment section must be completed with registered dealers name, dealers master tag number and date of sale. Latest registration information of the vehicle will be required. Valid Georgia driver's license number, birth date, proof of insurance and emissions will also be required.
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Registration Bill
The tag renewal and registration bill is a single part, laser printed, bar coded form designed to simplify the handling and processing of your registration. The registration bill will list ad valorem taxes and tag fees due on your vehicle. You are required to complete certain information and affix your signature on the registration form in order to receive a tag or renewal decal. The registration bills are mailed out 45 days prior to the vehicle owner(s) birthday (expiration date). Registrations can only be accepted during the 30 day period preceding and ending on the vehicle owner(s) birthday.
We encourage registrations by mail to save time and money. Registration payments should be mailed early so as to allow time for return of your tag or renewal decal before your current tag expires on your birthday. When mailing your registration payment, please allow 10 days for processing and return of your tag or renewal decal. Registration payments must be postmarked no later than your birthday to avoid penalties. Late penalties are 10% of the ad valorem tax, plus 25% of the tag fee.
Registrations will be delayed and even considered late, if vehicle body color, date of birth, social security number, emission certificate number, name of insurance company, policy number, signature, or other requested information is not provided on the form. To ensure timely processing and avoid penalties, please carefully read the instructions that are included with the registration form and enter all the required information in the appropriate spaces. By completing ALL SECTIONS of the registration form, timely processing is assured and penalties avoided.
Not receiving a registration bill does not relieve the registrant/taxpayer from the obligation to register and pay taxes during their birthday registration period. Vehicle registration and payment of taxes are the responsibility of the registrant/taxpayer. If an annual registration bill is not received, please call (404) 298-4000.
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- Insurance:
Georgia law requires that all vehicle owners carry proof of current Georgia liability insurance. Please click
here for Insurance information effective January 1, 2004
- Social Security Number:
The vehicle owner(s) social security number or driver(s) license number may be required when registering a vehicle. Social security numbers serve as a means of owner identification and provide cross indexing and grouping of registration records. All social security numbers carried on vehicle registration records are protected by state law as confidential information.
The State requires social security numbers for any resident who receives a handicap veteran, former prisoner of war, medal of honor, national guard, purple heart, military reserve or amateur radio tag.
- Birth Date
The vehicle owner/lessee date of birth is required when registering a vehicle. Upon initial registration the owner(s) birthday is recorded to establish the next registration renewal period and expiration date of the vehicle license plate. If a vehicle is owned by two or more persons, the birthday of the owner whose name appears first on the certificate of title is required.
Vehicles owned by a business are not required to record a date of birth. The expiration date will be established according to the first letter of the business name. Be sure to check the box on the renewal form that indicates a business registration.
Visa/MasterCard is accepted online for tag renewals at https://mvd.dor.ga.gov/tags/
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Registration Renewal Period
- For Persons:
Registrations expire on the vehicle owner/lessee birthday and must be renewed during the 30 day period preceding and ending on the owner/lessee birthday.
- For Non-Persons:
Registrations in the name of a business, corporation, or organization expire at the end of the business owner(s) designated registration month. Business registrations are staggered by month according to the first letter of the company name as shown on the registration application. Business owned vehicle registrations must be renewed during and no later than the end of the designated renewal month.
Registration renewal applications postmarked after the end of any registration period will accrue a 10% ad valorem penalty (minimum $5.00) and a 25% tag penalty (minimum $5.00).
Registering by mail offers time and money savings benefits and is strongly recommended! Registrants needing assistance may contact us in person at one of our three tag office locations (link to three locations), by contacting our Call Center at 404-298-4000 or via email at motorveh@co.dekalb.ga.us
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Renewal Schedule for Non-Persons:
| Business Name |
Renewal Month |
Business Name |
Renewal Month |
| A-B |
January |
M-N |
July |
| C-D |
February |
O-P |
August |
| E-F |
March |
Q-R |
September |
| G-H |
April |
S-T |
October |
| I-J |
May |
U-V-W |
November |
| K-L |
June |
X-Y-Z |
December |
|
|
|
