Author: Nodar, Car Select expert · October 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Re-registering and registering a car in Georgia: documents, fees and deadlines
In short
Transferring a car to a new owner in Georgia costs 200 GEL: 20 for the inspection, 80 for the plate and 100 for the registration certificate. First registration of an imported car costs the same and has to be done within 60 days. Both go through the MIA Service Agency, and on a sale the buyer and seller file a joint application. Figures are from sa.gov.ge as of 10 October 2026.
The MIA Service Agency registers cars and transfers them to new owners for the same 200 GEL. What to bring in each case, how long you have to register an imported car, and how to check for liens and seizures before you pay.
In Georgia, the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) registers cars and transfers them to new owners. The two procedures have different triggers and paperwork but the same fees. The figures and document lists below come from the agency's official pages on sa.gov.ge as of 10 October 2026.
What re-registration and registration cost
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection (inspection report) | 20 GEL |
| Licence plate | 80 GEL |
| Registration certificate | 100 GEL |
| Total | 200 GEL |
The amount is the same for a transfer after a sale and for the first registration of a car brought in from abroad. Customs clearance isn't included: the customs calculator shows the excise and fees due on import.
Deadlines
| Situation | What to do and when |
|---|---|
| Car brought in to be registered in Georgia | register it within 60 days |
| Foreign-registered car brought in for more than 90 days | temporary registration at the agency, wherever the owner lives |
| Certificate on liens and seizures | from 3 working hours to 5 working days, the fee depends on speed |
The registration deadlines are on the agency's vehicle registration page.
Documents you need
Transfer after a sale, gift or exchange
- Proof of ownership of the car
- An identity document
- The vehicle inspection report
- A joint application from the seller and the buyer
- A receipt for the fees
The application is joint, so seller and buyer come to the agency together. In July 2026 the agency launched remote re-registration, which works in the SERVICE AGENCY app and on sa.gov.ge.
First registration of a car imported from abroad
- An application, filled in on site
- An identity document
- Proof of ownership of the car
- The inspection report
- Receipts for the plate and the registration certificate
- The internal transit document
New owner address or parking place
A change of the owner's address or of where the car is kept also means re-registration. You need an application, the registration certificate, the inspection report, an identity document and a receipt for the fee.
How to check for liens and seizures before the deal
A certificate on the car's legal status shows seizures, pledges, tax liens, wanted notices, temporary registration and zero-duty clearance. Any person or company can order one at any agency office, or online after signing up on sa.gov.ge or in the SERVICE AGENCY app. The fee depends on how fast you need it.
| Issued within | Fee |
|---|---|
| 5 working days | 30 GEL |
| 3 working days | 45 GEL |
| 1 working day | 70 GEL |
| 3 working hours | 110 GEL |
The certificate covers the car's legal status only. Hidden body repairs and a rolled-back odometer don't show up in it; a pre-purchase inspection finds those. The terms are on the agency's certificate page.
Common questions
How much does it cost to re-register a car in Georgia?
200 GEL in agency fees: 20 for the inspection, 80 for the plate, 100 for the certificate. Registering an imported car for the first time costs the same.
Can a foreigner register a car in Georgia?
The document lists on sa.gov.ge set no citizenship or residence permit requirement; they ask for an identity document. How a foreigner gets through the purchase and the paperwork in a day is covered in our expat guide.
How do I transfer a car to another person?
The seller and the buyer file a joint application together and bring proof of ownership, their IDs, the inspection report and the fee receipt. Since July 2026 this can also be done remotely through the SERVICE AGENCY app or sa.gov.ge.
How long do I have to register an imported car?
60 days. A foreign-registered car brought in for more than 90 days needs temporary registration.
Where can I re-register a car outside Tbilisi?
sa.gov.ge lists the agency's service centres and their hours; the hotline is 1272, or +995 32 241 91 91 from abroad. Re-registration can also be done remotely in the SERVICE AGENCY app.
If you don't speak Georgian or would rather not deal with the paperwork, Car Select handles the documents and the agency for you and provides an interpreter: import, export and legalization support.
Would rather not do this yourself?
We'll inspect a specific car or source one for your budget, with a written report.
See also
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