You have a car, but where’s the title? It could have been lost, destroyed, or stolen before you transferred it into your name and now you can’t get on the road. Well, you aren’t stuck yet. You might be able to get a Georgia Bonded Title.
Short on time? Check out our Bonded Title FAQ page.
What is a Georgia Bonded Title?
A Georgia Bonded Title is just like a regular title and proves you own your vehicle. It allows you sell, insure, and register your car.
A Georgia Bonded Title is just like a regular title but is marked “bonded”. This title brand implies there is a surety bond attached to to the title.
Why You Need To Get a Surety Bond
The surety bond (Georgia Lost Title Bond) protects the DMV and any previous owners of the vehicle in question.
Before issuing you a title, the DMV will want some form of protection should it come about later on that you should not have been granted a title. They seek this form of protection through a surety bond.
You can learn more about the surety bond and what it means to be bonded at the end of the article.
When You Might Need A Bonded Title in GA
The following situations are times when you might need a bonded title. You should always check with your local DMV first, as they will be able to tell if you if you qualify for a bonded title.
- You bought a vehicle and didn’t receive a title
- You bought a vehicle and only received a bill of sale
- You bought a vehicle and received and improperly assigned title
- You bought a vehicle, received, and lost the title before transferring it into your name
If you had the title in your name at one point in time, you do not need to get a Bonded Title GA. You can simply get a Duplicate Title by completing a Title/Tag Application, taking it to your local DMV, and paying an $8 fee.
Not sure if you need a Bonded Title GA? Check out this awesome infographic.
How to get a Bonded Title in Georgia
Step #1: Determine if you are eligible
To be eligible for a bonded title, you must be a legal resident of Georgia and your vehicle:
- Cannot be abandoned
- Cannot be 1985 or older year model vehicle
- Cannot be the 2 most current model years
- Cannot be a vehicle that does not require a GA title
More information on eligibility here.
If you meet these requirements, contact the Department of Revenue at 855-406-5221 and confirm that you would be eligible for a bonded title. If they say yes, move on to Step #2.
Step #2: Get Vehicle Inspected
Next, you’ll want to get your vehicle inspected by an authorized DMV employee or a law enforcement officer.
This is just a precautionary measure to make sure your vehicle is not stolen.
Make sure the inspector fills out a Form T-22B Certificate of Inspection.
Step #3: Determine the Value of your Vehicle
To get the value of your vehicle:
- Contact the GA Department of Revenue at 855-406-5221
- Listen to the automated recording and select ‘bonds’
- Give them your VIN # and they will provide you with fair market value of vehicle
- Double this number to get your bond amount (use this amount for Step #4)
Step #4: Purchase Georgia Title Bond
Purchase your bond from a surety bond company.
Make sure you apply for the correct bond amount that you calculated in Step #3.
The minimum bond amount Georgia will accept is $5,000. This means that if your calculated bond amount is less than $5,000, you should simply enter $5,000 as your bond amount.
You will not need to pay the full bond amount to get bonded!
Most vehicle owners only pay $100 for their lost title bond.
Surety Solutions, A Gallagher Company does not issue Certificate of Lost Title Bonds
After you purchase your Georgia Lost Title Bond, the surety bond company will mail your Georgia Title Bond to you in the mail.
Step #5: Complete the Application for a GA Bonded Title
Once you get your GA Title Bond, complete the following paperwork:
- Completed and signed Form MV-1 Title/Tag Application
- Completed and signed Form MV-46A Certificate of Title Bond Affidavit
- A Vehicle History Report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
- Completed and signed release of the lien, Form T-4 (if applicable)
- Any available ownership papers (e.g. title, bill of sale, lien release, etc.)
- $18.00 title fee
For information on the above paperwork and how to complete, visit Georgia’s website.
Step #6: Apply for GA Bonded Title
Take all the above paperwork to your local county tag office.
If everything is approved, then the DMV will issue you a Georgia Bonded Title.
Your Georgia Bonded Title will look just like a regular title, except it will be marked “bonded” in the title brand section.
What it Means to be Bonded
When you get a bonded title, you are promising that you are the true owner the vehicle. The bond protects the Georgia DMV and any previous owners of the vehicle.
If someone feels you should not have been granted a bonded title, they can make a claim on your bond.
If the claim is determined to be valid, you would be responsible for satisfying the claim. Usually, this would mean a financial compensation. The surety company would determine what is fair.
If you fail to satisfy the claim, the surety company would satisfy the claim for you. Then, they would come to you for reimbursement. Essentially, the bond holds you liable for your actions, no matter what.
Want more information about what happens if someone made a claim on your bond? Check out this resource.
Does My Bonded Title Expire?
Yes, Georgia Bonded Titles are valid for 4 years. The “bonded” brand remains on the title for 4 years.
If after 4 years no one comes forward and makes a claim against your Title Bond GA, you (or whoever owns the vehicle at the time) can go apply for the “bonded” brand to be removed from the title. If the state approves your request, you will be issued a clear title.
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