Fill and Sign the New Resident Guide Georgia Form

NEW RESIDENT GUIDE FOR STATE OF GEORGIA U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. http://www.uslegalforms.com Becoming a new resident of a new home state often involves the reorganization of your legal affairs. This form is a guide to help you in meeting various requirements, such as residency, voting, identification card, driver’s license and vehicle registration requirements. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS - You will be considered a resident of Georgia if you have a permanent place to live in Georgia and except for infrequent, brief absences, you have been in Georgia for 30 days. VOTING REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS - In order to register to vote in the state of Georgia, you must meet the following requirements:  You must be a citizen of the United States.  You must be a legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you wish to vote.  You must be at least 18 years of age by election day.  You may not be currently serving any sentence imposed by the conviction of a felony.  You may not be judicially determined to be mentally incompetent.  You must register to vote by the close of the registration prior to an election if you wish to vote on election day.  You must register to vote by one of the following methods: o Download and complete a voter registration application at http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_a pp.htm and mail it to your local county board of registrars’ office. o Contact your local county board of registrars’ office or election office, public library, public assistance office, recruitment office, schools and other government offices for a mail-in registration form. o Email or write to request a voter registration form at http://www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/email.asp or to the Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, Suite 1104 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30334-1505. o Register to vote when you apply for your driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety driver’s license posts. o If you are a college student, obtain a Georgia voter registration form from your school registrar's office or from the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  If you are registering for the first time in Georgia, and you register by mail , you are required to show one of the acceptable types of identification by: o Mailing a copy of the identification with your voter registration application, o Providing a copy of the identification to the registrar during the absentee voting process, or o Showing one of the pieces of acceptable identification when voting at the polling place. Acceptable identification includes any one of the following: o A valid Georgia driver's license; o A valid identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia, any other state, or the United States authorized by law to issue personal identification; o A valid United States passport; o A valid employee identification card containing your photograph and issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government, this state, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of Georgia; o A valid employee identification card containing your photograph and issued by your employer in the ordinary course of such employer’s business; o A valid student identification card containing your photograph from any public or private college, university, or postgraduate technical or professional school located within the State of Georgia; o A valid Georgia license to carry a pistol or revolver; o A valid pilot's license issued by the Federal Aviation Administration or other authorized agency of the United States; o A valid United States military identification card; o A certified copy of your birth certificate; o A valid social security card; o Certified naturalization documentation; o A certified copy of court records showing adoption, name, or sex change; o A current utility bill, or a legible copy thereof, showing your name and address; o A bank statement, or a legible copy thereof, showing your name and address; o A government check or paycheck, or a legible copy thereof, showing your name and address; or o A government document, or a legible copy thereof, showing your name and address. IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIREMENTS - If you are old enough to sign your name, or make a mark indicating your legal signature, you can apply to the Department of Driver Services for an identification card. An identification card contains the same personal information, photo, signature and special protection against alteration and fraud as a driver license. The cost of an Identification Card is $20.00 for a card valid for five years or $35 for a card valid for ten years. In order to obtain an identification card in Georgia, you must meet the following requirements:  You must provide a social security number at the time of issuance.  If you are a U.S. citizen, you must furnish proof of citizenship. If you are a Non-U.S. citizen, you must present proper INS documentation presented in either English or translated into English by a translator approved by the Department of Driver Services.  You must furnish proof that you reside in Georgia and must provide a valid Georgia residence address. You may do this by proving one of the following items: o Utility bill with valid Georgia residence address; o Bank statement with valid Georgia residence address; o Rental contracts and/or receipts with valid Georgia residence address; o Employer verification; o Georgia license issued to parent, guardian, or spouse.  You must surrender all your previous driver's licenses, identification cards, and instructional permits to the Examiner. If you do not have in your possession, a license/ID card to surrender, you must provide a certified copy of a Motor Vehicle Report or status letter from your previous state.  If you are a first time applicant for a Georgia license or permit or identification card, you must show some acceptable form of personal identification that includes your full name, month, day and year of birth. Original and certified copies of the following items are acceptable forms of personal identification: o Original birth certificate o Certified copy of birth certificate (Issued from Vital Statistics with affixed seal) o Certificate of birth registration o Certified copy of court records (adoption, name changes or sex changes.) o Certified naturalization records o Immigration I.D. card o Valid Passport DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS - You must apply for a Georgia driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state of Georgia. If you are located in the metro-Atlanta area, you may schedule an appointment to obtain a Georgia license by calling the Call Center Reservation lines. (See http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/DLdata.aspx? con=1743296159&ty=dl ) See http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/DLdata.aspx?con=1746395936&ty=dl to view the current fee information for obtaining a driver’s license. You may exchange a valid out of state license for a Georgia license (or an expired out of state license if not expired more than 2 years) by meeting the following requirements:  You must surrender a valid out of state or an expired out of state license that has not been expired for more than two years.  You must be at least 18 years of age.  You must have your social security number verified with the Social Security Administration.  You must provide proof of Georgia residency by presenting an original bank statement issued within the past 45 days; a utility bill issued within the past 45 days; current valid rental contracts and/or receipts for payments made within the last 45 days for rent payments with valid Georgia residence address; or an employer verification (letter from employer on company letterhead stating your full name and home address).  You must provide proof of identity such as an original birth certificate; certificate of birth registration; certified copy of birth certificate, certified copy of court records (adoption, name or sex change); certified naturalization documentation; immigration ID Card, valid passport or a military identification card issued by the United States armed forces.  You must provide proof of citizenship, which you can do by presenting an original birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory or immigration documentation.  You must take an eye exam. If you have lost your valid out of state license (or have lost your expired out of state license if expired not more than 2 years), you must meet the following requirements to obtain a Georgia license,  If you do not have your out of state license in your possession, you must provide a letter of clearance from the issuing State, dated within 30 days, which includes your licensing information.  You must provide proof of residency, identity and citizenship as noted above.  If your license is not expired for more than two years, you will only be required to take a vision test. If you are surrendering an out of state learner's permit for a Georgia permit or first driver's license, you must meet all other licensing requirements (See http://www.dds.ga.gov/teens/DLdata.aspx?con=1742926996&ty=ten ), including written and road skills tests for a Provisional License or any other permits. If you are under the age of 18 and have a valid out of state license, you must call the Customer Service Number at (678) 413-8400 for specific information since your state of issuance may have different requirements for those under the age of 18. V EHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS - You must register your vehicles and apply for Georgia certificates of title within 30 days of establishing Georgia residency at the Tax Commissioner’s Office in the county where you reside. You should obtain a Georgia driver’s license or identification card prior to applying for registration and certificates of title in Georgia. You must generally pay an initial registration fee of $38.00 for each vehicle that must be registered and titled, which includes an $18 title fee and a $20 registration fee. In order to obtain a title and registration for your vehicle in the state of Georgia, you must meet the following requirements:  Generally, 1986 and newer year model vehicles require a Georgia certificate of title. Unless you already have a Georgia title issued in your name for your vehicle or the vehicle does not require a Georgia title, you must apply for a Georgia title at the same time you register your vehicle. A Georgia title will not be issued for a vehicle based on a registration certificate from a non-title state or country when the vehicle does not require a Georgia title (1963-1985 year model vehicles). If your 1963-1985 year model vehicle was last registered in a state or country that does not issue titles, a Georgia title will not be issued for the vehicle.  You must appear in person and submit the following to your Georgia County Tax Commissioner’s office to apply for a Georgia tag and title, when a title is required: o DOR Title/Tag Application- Form MV-1- Typed, electronically completed and printed or printed legibly by-hand in blue or black ink in the vehicle owner(s) full legal name and signed by the vehicle owner(s). You must enter each owner's valid driver's license or Georgia identification card number and the name of the issuing state. If all owners go in person with their valid Georgia driver's license or Georgia ID card, the required documents, the vehicle's current odometer reading (when an odometer disclosure is required), acceptable proof of insurance, proof the vehicle has passed an emission's inspection, when required, and any fees and taxes due, this application can be completed & printed for your signatures and processing. o Proof of Ownership - The vehicle's original valid title issued in your name or properly assigned to you. If your title is being held by your financial institution or leasing company, submit your vehicle's original valid registration certificate with a completed Affidavit of Title Being Held by a Lien or Security Interest Holder or Leasing Company, Form T-17. The person processing your application will contact your financial institution or leasing company by mail requesting the submission of your out-of-state title for the issuance of a Georgia title. The Georgia title, when issued, will be mailed to the first lien or security interest holder recorded on your application. If your vehicle is not financed but is leased, the Georgia title, when issued, will be mailed to your leasing company. If your vehicle is not financed nor leased, the title, when issued, will be mailed to you, the vehicle owner. o Certification of Inspection - Completed by a Georgia law enforcement officer or Georgia County Tax Commissioner or his/her designated employee after making a visual inspection of your vehicle's serial plate. If your 1986 or newer year model vehicle is currently registered in a state or country that does not issue titles, you must submit your vehicle's original registration certificate together with a completed Certification of Inspection, Form T-22B. o Acceptable Proof of Insurance - Proof that your vehicle is insured with Georgia liability insurance. The following is a list of documents that can serve as acceptable proof of insurance:  A valid insurance coverage indicator on your vehicle’s record on the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division’s tag and title database.  A valid fleet insurance policy information card issued by a Georgia licensed insurer, showing the name of the insurer, the policy number, the policy's original issue date, the policy’s expiration date, the name of the insured, and the words “ Fleet ” and "Georgia".  A valid binder issued by an insurer, licensed in Georgia, showing the vehicle’s identification number (VIN)- temporary proof of Georgia liability insurance coverage for 30 days from the binder’s issue date.  A bill of sale dated within 30 days of the vehicle’s purchase date and a valid insurance declaration page- the top page of an insurance policy, issued by an insurer, licensed in Georgia, for a recently purchased or acquired vehicle.  A self-insured insurance information card and a certificate of self-insurance issued by the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office (ICO) for a self-insured vehicle.  A valid insurance policy information card issued by an insurer, licensed in Georgia, in the registered owner’s name reflecting the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) for a vehicle registered in Georgia under the International Registration Plan (IRP). o Emissions Inspection – Required by 13 metro-Atlanta counties. o Translation - English translation of each document not printed in the English language. o Proof That Your Vehicle Conforms to U.S. EPA & DOT Standards and the CBP Form - When a motor vehicle, not a trailer or a vehicle imported from Puerto Rico, is imported into the United States. You must submit the original(s) and copies of federal forms U.S. DOT Form HS-7, U.S. EPA Form 3520-1 and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form CBP-7501. The CBP-7501 Form must be stamped and signed by a U.S. Customs' representative. In lieu of the CBP- 7501 form, you may submit a DD 1252 or DD 1854 form from military personnel. If the US Customs Form CBP-7501 reflects the vehicle identification number (VIN), states that the vehicle was manufactured for sale in the United Sates, and is stamped and signed by a US Customs representative, the EPA Form 3520-1 and the US DOT Form HS-7 are not required. o Registration Fees & Vehicle Ad Valorem Taxes - Based on the vehicle's value and the financial needs of various levying authorities in your county. Whether or not this tax is due depends on the primary owner's registration period and the date you established Georgia residency. o Sales Tax - Effective January 1, 2006 - for a vehicle that was purchased from an out-of-state/country dealer or business. o $20.00 annual license plate fee for most passenger vehicles and light weight pick-up trucks. o $18.00 title fee. o $10.00 title penalty if you fail to apply for a Georgia title, when a Georgia title is required, within 90 of the vehicle's purchase or transfer date. This fee is not due if the vehicle's current title and/or registration is issued in your name. o $10.00 additional title penalty if your previous application for a Georgia title was returned with a letter requesting additional action or documents but you have not complied within 60 days of the letter's date. o Additional fees and taxes. Please see the Georgia Secretary of State website at http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/voter_registration/default.htm , the Georgia Department of Driver Services website at http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/DLdata.aspx?con=1744173714&ty=dl and the Georgia Department of Revenue website at http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/ for further new resident and contact information. Website source: May 2, 2006.