Georgia Cities: License Plate and Tag Services by City

Georgia municipalities and city halls do not issue vehicle license plates or process automobile title transfers. Motor vehicle services for drivers living in Georgia cities are administered exclusively by the County Tax Commissioner for the county in which the motorist resides.

Metropolitan drivers must register vehicles, pay Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT), and renew annual license decals through their designated county tag office. In split metropolitan jurisdictions such as Atlanta, office routing depends directly on whether the residential address falls within Fulton County or DeKalb County.

How to Navigate Georgia City Jurisdictions & County Tag Offices

Because Georgia does not operate city-level DMV offices, all municipal residents receive vehicle registration, tag renewal, and title services through their respective County Tax Commissioner offices.

How tag duties work in Georgia cities

Georgia gives vehicle registration duties to its 159 counties, not to its cities. Each county's tax commissioner runs one or more tag offices. Those offices issue plates, collect title ad valorem tax, process renewals, and handle replacements for lost or damaged tags.

Your city address decides which county office serves you. Most cities sit inside a single county. A few large cities cross county lines. Atlanta is the main example: parts of the city sit in Fulton County and parts sit in DeKalb County. Register in the county where you live and where the car stays overnight.

City halls handle parking tickets, local business licenses, and city services. They do not issue state license plates. If you walk into city hall asking for a tag, staff will point you to the county tag office. Save the trip and start with the county.

Counties set their own office hours, branch locations, and payment methods. Two drivers in two cities can follow the same state rules and still have different office experiences. Check your county's page on this site for branch addresses and hours before you drive over.

What to bring to the tag office

Bring the right papers and most tag visits take under 30 minutes. Missing papers cause most delays. Gather these before you go.

• Vehicle title or title application. New purchases need the signed-over title or the dealer's title paperwork. Out-of-state moves need the current out-of-state title.
• Valid photo ID. A Georgia driver's license or state ID works. New residents can use their out-of-state license during the move-in window.
• Proof of Georgia insurance. The policy must be active and list the vehicle. The state checks coverage electronically, but bring the card anyway.
• Emissions certificate, if your county requires it. Thirteen metro Atlanta counties require a passing test before renewal. The station sends results to the state by computer.
• Payment. Most offices take cash, checks, and cards. Card payments often add a small processing fee. Call ahead if you plan to pay a large title tax bill by card.

Leased cars need the lease agreement plus the leasing company's title details. Financed cars need the lienholder's name and address. The tag office records the lien on the Georgia title.

Fees drivers pay in Georgia cities

Tag fees are set by the state, so the core costs look the same in every city. Your county may add small local charges. Here is what to expect.

Title ad valorem tax (TAVT) applies when you title a car in Georgia. The rate is 7.0% of the car's fair market value. New residents pay it when they register their out-of-state car here. Buyers pay it at purchase. The tax replaces the old annual ad valorem tax and the sales tax on cars.

Standard tag fees stay low. A regular plate costs $20. The yearly renewal includes a small tag fee plus any specialty plate charges. Prestige and specialty plates add yearly fees on top of the base cost. A replacement plate for a lost or damaged tag costs a few dollars plus the new decal.

Late penalties grow fast. Renew on time. Georgia ties renewal month to the owner's birthday, and driving on an expired tag can bring fines far above the renewal cost. Mark your birthday month and renew early.

Georgia cities and their county tag offices

Find your city below. Each entry names the county that handles its tags, links to that county's tag office page, and notes whether emissions testing applies. City populations are 2020 Census figures.

Atlanta tag office

Atlanta is Georgia's capital and largest city, with 498,715 people in 2020. The city spans two counties: Fulton and DeKalb. Your county follows your home address. Drivers in the Fulton County portion use Fulton tag offices. Drivers in the DeKalb portion use DeKalb offices. Both counties require emissions testing. Start with our Fulton County tag office page or our DeKalb County tag office page based on where you live. Atlanta drivers renew online through DRIVES or in person at county branches across the metro.

Columbus tag office

Columbus counted 206,922 people in 2020. The city consolidated with Muscogee County, so one government handles city and county duties. Tag services run through the Muscogee County tax commissioner's office. No emissions test is required here. See our Muscogee County tag office page for branches and hours. Soldiers and families at Fort Moore should ask about military registration options, which differ from standard civilian steps.

Augusta tag office

Augusta had 202,071 people in 2020 and consolidated with Richmond County. The Richmond County tax commissioner handles all tag and title work for Augusta drivers. No emissions test is required. Our Richmond County tag office page lists office locations and hours. Augusta sits on the Savannah River across from South Carolina, so new arrivals from across the river should note the 30-day registration rule for new Georgia residents.

Macon tag office

Macon counted 157,346 people in 2020 and consolidated with Bibb County as Macon-Bibb County. The Bibb County tax commissioner's tag office serves Macon drivers. No emissions test is required. Check our Bibb County tag office page for the office address and hours. Macon sits near the geographic center of Georgia, and its tag office serves drivers from surrounding rural counties who work or shop in the city.

Savannah tag office

Savannah had 147,780 people in 2020. The city sits in Chatham County, and the Chatham County tax commissioner's tag office handles registration for Savannah drivers. No emissions test is required. Our Chatham County tag office page has office details. Savannah's port and tourism economy bring many new residents each year. If you moved here from another state, register within 30 days and bring your out-of-state title.

Athens tag office

Athens counted 127,315 people in 2020 and consolidated with Clarke County. The Clarke County tax commissioner's office handles tags for Athens drivers. No emissions test is required. See our Clarke County tag office page for hours and location. The University of Georgia shapes the city's rhythm. Students from out of state should check whether their home-state registration still covers them or whether Georgia requires them to register here.

Sandy Springs tag office

Sandy Springs had 108,080 people in 2020. The city incorporated in 2005 and sits in Fulton County. Fulton County tag offices serve Sandy Springs drivers, and emissions testing is required. Our Fulton County tag office page lists branches across the county. Many Sandy Springs drivers use the north Fulton branches or renew online through DRIVES to skip the drive.

Roswell tag office

Roswell counted 92,833 people in 2020. This historic suburb north of Atlanta sits in Fulton County. Tag services run through Fulton County offices, and emissions testing is required. Check our Fulton County tag office page for the closest branch. Roswell drivers with cars from model year 2024 or newer should note that new cars skip the emissions test for their first three model years.

Johns Creek tag office

Johns Creek had 82,453 people in 2020. The city incorporated in 2006 and sits in Fulton County. Fulton County tag offices handle registration, and emissions testing is required. Our Fulton County tag office page has branch details. Johns Creek sits near the Fulton-Forsyth line, so drivers near the border should confirm their county by home address before picking an office.

Warner Robins tag office

Warner Robins counted 80,308 people in 2020. The city sits in Houston County, and the Houston County tax commissioner's tag office serves its drivers. No emissions test is required. See our Houston County tag office page for office hours. Robins Air Force Base drives the local economy. Active-duty military members should ask the tag office about military exemptions and registration options before they pay standard fees.

Alpharetta tag office

Alpharetta had 65,818 people in 2020. The city sits in Fulton County and anchors the north Fulton tech corridor. Fulton County tag offices serve Alpharetta drivers, and emissions testing is required. Our Fulton County tag office page lists branches. Many Alpharetta commuters renew online through the DRIVES portal and only visit an office for titles, new plates, or problem cases.

Marietta tag office

Marietta counted 60,972 people in 2020. The city is the county seat of Cobb County, and the Cobb County tax commissioner's tag office handles Marietta registrations. Emissions testing is required. Check our Cobb County tag office page for branches and hours. Marietta's historic square sits minutes from the main county offices, which keeps in-person visits short for most drivers.

Emissions testing: which cities need it

Thirteen Georgia counties require emissions testing: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale. If your city sits in one of these counties, most cars need a passing test before each renewal.

Of the cities above, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and Marietta require testing. Columbus, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Athens, and Warner Robins do not. The rule follows the county, not the city name. A driver in unincorporated Fulton County follows the same rule as a driver inside Atlanta's Fulton County portion.

Tests happen at licensed private stations, not at government offices. Any licensed station can test any eligible car. The test takes about 15 minutes. Results reach the state by computer, so you can renew online right after you pass. New cars skip testing for their first three model years. Cars older than 25 model years are exempt.

Our emissions testing page lists all 13 counties, exempt vehicle types, and what to do if your car fails.

New to Georgia? The 30-day rule

New Georgia residents must register their cars within 30 days of moving in or starting work here. Students, military members, and short-term visitors follow different rules, so check your situation before the deadline.

Bring your out-of-state title, proof of Georgia insurance, and a valid ID. You will pay the 7.0% title ad valorem tax based on the car's value, plus tag fees. Georgia titles the car in your name and issues a Georgia plate. Keep your old state's plates off the car once the Georgia plate is on. Never drive with two plates.

Our register a car in Georgia page walks through the full process, document by document.

Tag renewal runs on your birthday

Georgia ties your tag renewal month to your birthday. Your tag expires on your birthday each year. Businesses and leased fleets follow different schedules, but private owners follow the birthday rule.

Renew online through the DRIVES portal, by mail, or in person at your county tag office. Online renewal takes a few minutes and the new decal arrives by mail. Renew early in your birthday month. Late renewals add penalties, and driving on an expired tag risks a ticket.

Our renew your Georgia tag page covers online, mail, and in-person renewal steps.

Temporary tags after a dealer purchase

Buy from a licensed Georgia dealer and you drive home on a paper temporary tag. The dealer issues it at sale, collects your title application and TAVT payment, and files the paperwork with your county. The paper tag proves the car is legal until the metal plate arrives.

Temp tags last 30 days from the sale date. Watch the date printed on the tag. If your metal plate has not arrived as the date nears, call the dealer first. Then call your county tag office. Do not drive on an expired temp tag. Private-party buyers do not get temp tags. Plan your county office visit right after a private purchase.

Our temporary tag page covers expiry rules and what to do when a plate is late.

Plate types you can order in any Georgia city

Every county tag office in Georgia offers the same plate types. Your city does not limit your choices. Pick what fits your car and your budget.

The standard plate is the default. It carries the ABC1234 format Georgia has used since May 2012. It costs $20. Most drivers keep it for the life of the car.

Prestige plates carry custom letter and number combos you choose. The state charges $90 plus ad valorem tax upfront and $55 plus ad valorem tax each year to keep the custom text. Staff review each request and reject combos that break state rules.

Specialty plates support colleges, sports teams, military groups, and causes. Yearly fees run about $25 on top of the base tag cost. Part of the fee funds the cause on the plate.

Order any plate type at your county tag office or through the DRIVES portal. Custom and specialty plates take longer to arrive than standard plates. Plan around that wait if your renewal date is near.

What the county tag office cannot do

Tag offices handle plates, titles, and renewals. Some tasks sit outside their walls. Know the limits before you visit.

They cannot share who owns a plate. Federal privacy law shields owner names and addresses. Only police, courts, and parties with a valid legal claim can get that data. No walk-in request unlocks it.

They cannot issue driver's licenses. Licenses come from the Georgia Department of Driver Services, a separate agency with its own offices. Do not bring license renewal tasks to the tag counter.

They cannot fix tickets or court dates. Traffic citations go through the court named on the ticket. The tag office cannot clear holds placed by a court until the court lifts them.

A simple yearly routine

Check your birthday month. That is your renewal month. Test emissions first if your county requires it. Then renew online through DRIVES. Print your receipt. Wait for the decal in the mail. Stick it on your plate. Done.

If you move, update your address fast. If you sell the car, keep your plate. If you buy a car, title it within days. Small habits beat big fines.

Beat the line at the tag office

Go early in the month. Lines grow near month-end. Tuesday mornings are quiet. Bring every paper from the checklist above, so a missing form never forces a second long trip across town. Use DRIVES for renewals. Online tasks skip the line. Call ahead about payment methods before you bring a large title tax payment to the counter in person. Order custom plates early. If you want a prestige or specialty plate, order it weeks before your renewal date arrives each year. Pack water and patience. Branch hours differ across the county, so check the county website for your branch before you drive over. Done right, one trip is enough.

Keep your car papers in order

Keep one folder. Store your title there. Add the bill of sale. Keep your current insurance card in the same folder, so every paper sits in one safe place at home. Snap phone photos too. Photos help if papers go missing. Never keep your title in the car. If your car is stolen with the title inside, the thief gains a head start on title fraud. Update your address after each move, so mailed renewal notices reach the address on file for your car. Old addresses cause missed renewals. Missed renewals cause fines.

Official contacts

Start with these official sources for the latest forms, fees, and office changes. County offices set their own hours, so confirm before you drive.

• Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division. Sets statewide registration, title, and tax rules. Web: dor.georgia.gov.
• DRIVES portal. The state's online system for renewals, replacements, and account services. Web: eservices.drives.ga.gov.
• Georgia's Clean Air Force. Runs the emissions testing program for the 13 metro Atlanta counties. Web: cleanairforcegeorgia.net.
• Your county tax commissioner. Handles in-person tag offices, branch hours, and local payment options. Find yours through our Georgia counties tag office hub.

Plate Number Search Georgia is an independent resource. It is not connected with the State of Georgia, the Department of Revenue, or any county or city government. Verify fees and hours with the official office before your visit.

Where each tag task gets handled

City drivers ask where to go for each task. The table below gives the short answer. Your county tag office handles the in-person work, and the DRIVES portal covers most renewals online in minutes.

Georgia Tag Office Visiting Hours & Contact Details

Vehicle registrations, license plates, and title transfers in Georgia are administered locally through each County Tax Commissioner's office, operating under statewide Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) Motor Vehicle Division regulations. Tag office lobbies follow standardized operating hours, with online services available 24/7 through Georgia DRIVES.

Payment Notice: County tag offices accept cash, certified checks, cashier's checks, money orders, and major credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). Card transactions incur a standard state/merchant processing convenience fee (typically 2.25% – 2.50%).

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia City Tag Services

Quick answers to the city tag questions Georgia drivers ask most. Each answer reflects state rules as of 2026.