Georgia Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond

Who needs the bond?

The Georgia Department of Revenue requires a Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond from vehicle owners who do not have the required proof of ownership documents before they will issue a tag and title for the vehicle.

You must be a legal resident of Georgia to get a title based on a bond.

The vehicle must be from model year 1986 or later, and the vehicle must not be abandoned.

Why is the bond required by the obligee?

The bond covers the Georgia Department of Revenue in case any prior owner, lien holder, or security interest holder of the vehicle makes a claim that they still own an interest in the vehicle. Without the bond, the obligee might be liable for those claims. The bond guarantees that the Georgia Department of Revenue can make claims to the surety company instead.

What to do before you apply for the bond

1. Get a completed and signed Form T-22B Certificate of Inspection by a Duly Constituted Georgia Law Enforcement Officer establishing that the vehicle is not reported stolen.
2. If Form T-22B indicates that the serial plate is missing, complete a Form T-128 Request for a Replacement Serial Plate.
3. Get a report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).
4. If the report indicates the title of record is from a jurisdiction other than Georgia, get a certified title history from the state that issued the title of record.
5. Make sure the documents do not show any liens against or security interests in the vehicle.
6. Make sure the documents do not show the vehicle is abandoned.
7. Get the vehicle value from the Georgia Department of Revenue.

What to do after you receive the bond

1. Gather any available ownership papers (title, bill of sale, lien release, etc.)
2. Take the bond with the other completed, signed documents to a County Tag Office.