MVD | Lien or Security Interest Release

**MVD Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday excluding state holidays **

What is needed to record an additional security interest in a vehicle that is currently titled in Georgia?

To apply for a Georgia certificate of title showing an additional security interest holder, submit the following certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, to the first lien or security interest holder having custody of the title: The second or subsequent security interest holder shall retain the receipt as proof of perfection of their security interest.

Note: A Georgia title, when issued, is mailed to the first recorded lien or security interest holder until their interest is satisfied. Once satisfied, the lien or security interest holder, having custody of the title, shall release their interest in the vehicle in the spaces provided on the title and forward the title to the next recorded lien or security holder. If there are no additional lien or security interests recorded, the title shall be forwarded to the vehicle owner.

A completed MV-1 title application – Except for the signature(s) this application must be typed, electronically completed and printed or legibly hand-printed in blue or black ink in the vehicle owner(s)' full legal name(s) as shown on the certificate of title. The vehicle owner(s) must sign this completed application. If jointly owned, each owner must sign. Enter each lien or security interest holder's full legal name, address and MVD issued permanent customer number in the order each lien or security interest was perfected.
A completed and signed T-53 Notice of Security Interest form. The new security interest holder should complete and sign this form. The owner(s)' name(s) on this form, the title application and the Georgia title must match!
$18.00 title fee – check or money order payable to the Department of Revenue or the Office of the Tax Commissioner. To whom the check should be made payable depends on the instructions given in the cover letter addressed to the title holder (see below).
A cover letter addressed to the lien or security interest holder having custody of the title. This letter should direct the title holder to, within ten-days; forward the T-53 Notice of Security Interest form, the title application and the check or money order to the County Tag Agent or the Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division together with the title. Click here for more information regarding where to apply for a title.

Motor vehicle tag and title forms can be electronically completed and printed for signing and submission by mail or in-person from the Department’s web site, www.etax.dor.ga.gov.

Upon receipt of the original title, the required forms properly completed (MV-1 title application and T-53 Notice of Security Interest) and payment (check or money order in the amount of $18.00), the original title and the required forms (MV-1 title application and T-53 Notice of Security Interest) properly completed, a new certificate of title shall be issued reflecting all lien &/or security interest information including the second or subsequent security interest information. The new title shall be mailed to the first recorded lien or security holder.

For vehicles not eligible for a Georgia title, a lien or security interest is recorded in this state against a motor vehicle with the Clerk of the Superior Court's office in the county in Georgia where the vehicle owner resides under the provisions of the Universal Commercial Code. Contact their office or click here to connect to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority for the required forms, filing fees and additional information.

In the event the title holder fails, refuses or neglects to forward the forms, fee and original title to the County Tag Agent or the Motor Vehicle Division, the holder of the second or subsequent security interest may apply to the Motor Vehicle Division only. Such application shall have attached to it the return registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery receipt showing the previous mailing of the title application, fee and notice to the first lien or security interest holder having custody of the title.

Upon receipt of the direct application, the Motor Vehicle Division shall order the first lien or security interest holder having custody of the title to forward the title to the Motor Vehicle Division for the purpose of having the second or subsequent security interest recorded and a new title issued.

If after a direct application to the Motor Vehicle Division, the first security interest holder or lien holder continues to fail, refuse, or neglect to forward the title, the Motor Vehicle Division may cancel the outstanding title and issue a new title reflecting all lien &/or security interest information including the second or subsequent security interest information and the new title shall be delivered to the first lien or security interest holder recorded on the new title.

Note: The surrender of the title shall not affect the validity of the first lien or security interest holder’s interest in the vehicle.

If there are no liens or security interests holders recorded on the vehicle’s Georgia title, click here for instructions for applying for a title recording a lien or security interest holder.

If you should have any additional questions, please contact your County Tag Agent’s Office or this office at: (404) 362-6500. Click here for the address and telephone number of the County Tag Office.