Abandonment Process (after court order)

In order for a title to be issued on an abandoned motor vehicle, the abandoned motor vehicle law requires the vehicle to be sold at a public sale. A certificate of title cannot be obtained for an abandoned vehicle on the basis of a surety bond, nor can a title be issued on a vehicle that is not required to be titled in Georgia (1985 or older year models).

Title and license plates should be applied for an abandoned vehicle at the County Tag Office where the owner resides by submitting the following:

• Completed Form MV-1 Tag and Title Application.
• Certified Copy of the Court Order authorizing the sale of this vehicle.
  • Certified copies of court documents must be the official order authorizing the sale of the vehicle containing the Clerk of the Court’s signature and their seal or stamp affixed.
  • The vehicle must be advertised for sale in a newspaper in accordance with the requirements for public sale.
    • The advertisement must reflect a full vehicle description (model year, make and vehicle identification number). A copy of the newspaper advertisement is required only when the seller and the buyer are the same.
    Abandoned Vehicle Notes
    • Public sale definition

    “Public sale” means a sale:

    • Held at a place reasonably available to persons who want to attend and submit bids,
    • That allows those attending to be given the opportunity to bid on a competitive basis,
    • To the highest bidder if sale is made, and
    • Advertised for 14 consecutive days in the newspaper in which the sheriff’s advertisements are published in the county where the sale is to be held. Advertisement shall state the day and hour of the sale, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., the place of the sale, and identify the vehicle to be sold including year, make, model, and VIN.
    • If the vehicle is purchased by a dealer, the vehicle must be titled in the dealership name prior to selling the vehicle

    If the abandoned vehicle was stolen and insurance paid out a “stolen and unrecovered” claim, you will be required to provide a letter from the insurance company saying that the vehicle is not damaged. If the insurance company will not provide a letter, you will be required to have the vehicle inspected by a state inspector. If the inspector determines there is sufficient damage to the vehicle, they can require the vehicle go through the rebuilt process.

    Relevant Georgia Law

    • The Abandoned Motor Vehicle Process can be found in OCGA § 40-11-1
    • Duty of Person removing or storing Motor Vehicle OCGA § 40-11-2