Changing Names On Vehicle Title In Georgia State

Vehicle owners in Georgia must change the name on their car registration using one of the methods provided by the state Department of Driver Services (DDS). Motorists may change their car registration name due to marriage, divorce, or court order. Individuals must complete certain steps before the procedure and select one of the methods offered by the GA DDS to change car registration. Vehicle owners must prepare a package of documents and submit them to the DDS. Similarly, they should plan to pay for a replacement car registration or other documentation.

Reasons For Changing Name

When should you change your name on your car registration, driver's license, and vehicle title? A Georgia car registration name change after marriage is a procedure that newlywed drivers most commonly perform. However, changing the name on a car registration after a divorce is common. Furthermore, changing your name due to a court order is the last time you must notify the GA DDS about changing your name. Continue reading about the time limits and penalties below to learn how and why changing your name on your car registration in Georgia is important.

Time Limit For Name Change On Car Registration

If you're wondering, "How long do I have to change my name in Georgia before I face a penalty?" "you should be aware that name correction can be performed on all of your credentials within the same time frame. The time limits for changing your name on your car registration or other credentials are the same as changing your name on your driver's license or ID card. The Georgia DDS has determined that the time limit for changing a car registration name is 60 days from designation modification. If you do not change your name on your car registration within a certain time frame, you may face penalties. Some of the consequences of failing to change your name on time in Georgia may include having problems proving ownership or having proper auto insurance.

Options In Changing Your Name

It would be best to learn what to do before updating your registration in Georgia to complete the procedure correctly and on time. Before updating your registration, you should change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). To ensure that state and federal records match, DDS will confirm the name correction with SSA. A DMV registration update may be performed concurrently with a driver's license name change procedure. Continue reading to learn how to update your car registration in Georgia after changing your name on your license.

By Mail

Motorists in Georgia can also change their car registration name by mail by gathering a list of documents and mailing them to the DDS mailing address. The following documents are required for changing your name on your car registration by mail:
  • A fully completed application
  • Current Georgia vehicle registration
  • A copy of a Georgia driver's license or identification card
  • A certified copy of a document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, proving the name change.
Motorists who change their vehicle registration name by mail may be required to provide additional documents if a lien or security interest has been paid.

In-Person

Vehicle owners who want to change the name on their vehicle registration in person at a local GA DDS branch can do so while also updating their driver's license or ID card and title. When changing your name on your car registration in person, you must provide the following information:
  • Current Georgia vehicle registration
  • A valid Georgia driver's license or identification card
  • A certified copy of one document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, proving the name change.
Continue to the next section if you still have questions about how to change your name on your car registration and renew your registration.

Fees To Pay

The final step in a car registration name correction in Georgia is to pay the applicable DMV name change fees. Motorists may be required to pay a DMV name change fee for the process through the GA DDS, such as a $20 fee if renewing your registration and updating your name on the document. However, keep in mind that these fees will vary depending on whether drivers want to replace or renew their registration cards.