HB 1181: Motor vehicles; application for certificate of title; provisions

Currently, Georgia law requires applicants for a vehicle title to submit any out-of-state title when the vehicle was last registered elsewhere, but it does not spell out special rules for vehicles passed down through inheritance, a will, or a bequest. HB 1181 adds a specific rule for that situation. The bill amends O.C.G.A. § 40-3-21 to say that when someone applies for a Georgia title for a vehicle last registered in another state in the name of a deceased owner, and the applicant is receiving the vehicle through inheritance, devise, or bequest, the application must include the last title issued to the decedent by that other state, plus any other documents required for inheritance transfers. It also amends O.C.G.A. § 40-3-34 to clarify that the 'last certificate of title' required in inheritance and will-based transfers specifically means the title that was issued to the decedent, if one is available.

• Adds a new requirement that applications for a Georgia title on an inherited, out-of-state vehicle include the decedent's last out-of-state title, if the applicant received the vehicle through inheritance, devise, or bequest.
• Clarifies in O.C.G.A. § 40-3-34 that the last certificate of title required for inheritance transfers, and for transfers under a will when the vehicle was the decedent's only asset, must be the title that was issued to the decedent specifically.
• Leaves in place existing requirements for wills, affidavits, and probate court certificates used to establish who inherits the vehicle.

People who inherit a vehicle from someone who titled it in another state, executors and heirs handling a decedent's estate, and Georgia's Department of Revenue or motor vehicle division staff who process title applications involving inheritance, wills, or bequests.

Heirs applying for a Georgia title on an inherited out-of-state vehicle would now know exactly which title document to produce: the one issued to the deceased owner, not just any title. This should reduce confusion and paperwork disputes during an already stressful estate process.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-3-21(c) to add paragraph (3), requiring an application for a vehicle last titled in another state in a decedent's name to include the decedent's last out-of-state title when the applicant inherits, receives as a devise, or receives as a bequest.
• Section 1 also requires any other documents needed under subsections (d) or (e) of O.C.G.A. § 40-3-34, tying the new rule to existing inheritance transfer procedures.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-3-34(d) to specify that the 'last certificate of title' submitted for an inheritance transfer must be the one issued to the decedent, if available.
• Section 2 also amends subsection (e) to apply the same 'issued to the decedent' requirement when a will transfers a vehicle that was the decedent's only asset.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.

1. 2026-05-05Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-05Act 400
3. 2026-05-05House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2026-03-16Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2026-03-12Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)Primary sponsor
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Steven Sainz (R, HD-180)
• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)
• Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-036)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 19, 2026

   166 yea, 0 nay (6 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #535

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2026

   43 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 8 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #776

• motor vehicle titles
• vehicle inheritance
• estate planning
• DMV rules