Ownership Verbiage

The word “or” cannot be used to show joint ownership of a motor vehicle in the State of Georgia. The word “and” must be used when applying for a certificate of title for a jointly owned vehicle (e.g., John Doe and Mary Smith). Both owners must sign the title application and the assignment of title when the vehicle ownership is being transferred.

Owners may wish to talk with their attorney to determine if a title should be applied for reflecting joint ownership with the following disclosure: Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship. This statement should be printed below the owners’ names on the title application. When a title is issued with this disclosure (Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship), the surviving owner may transfer ownership by merely completing the assignment of title and attaching a copy of the deceased's death certificate. The new owner should apply for a title in his/her name at that time.