A title pawn in Georgia is an option when faced with financial emergencies. From medical bills to veterinary fees to home repairs, this type of pawn is a quick way to cover the costs when you don't have enough in your emergency fund.

However, you need a clear, lien-free title before you can access one. In this guide from Georgia Auto Pawn, Inc., we will give you a rundown of why you need a clear title and the step-by-step process for obtaining one. 

Why Do You Need A Clear Car Title In Georgia Before Getting An Auto Pawn?

An auto lien shows that your car is legally owned by another party — typically, your lender. When you take out an auto loan to finance your vehicle, your lender is listed as the lienholder on your title and has a legal claim to the vehicle until you pay it off.

However, to get a GA auto title pawn, you need to own your car outright, with no outstanding liens or judgments. The lender will need to place a lien on the title for you to get approved, but they cannot do that if you don’t own your vehicle outright. Therefore, you cannot acquire one without first clearing your title of any liens and becoming the sole owner.

How To Clear A Car Title In Georgia

Once you repay your auto loan in full, you will have a clear car title in Georgia, meaning you are now the full owner of the vehicle. At this point, your lender will need to release the title electronically. In Georgia, the Department of Revenue will not release a security interest or lien that's electronically recorded.

Here are the steps you should take:

Step 1: Tell The Department Of Revenue

As soon as you pay off the loan, the lienholder will need to tell the Department of Revenue. In Georgia, your lender holds your title for the duration of the loan term, so they will send the lien release to the DMV as soon as you repay it, without any grunt work from you. 

The lienholder will complete the Release of Lien section on the vehicle, including providing:

• their name
• an authorized agent's signature, and
• the date released. 

Step 2: Receive The Paperwork

Once the Department of Revenue receives notification of the release, it will automatically mail you the title to your car. You only need to communicate with your lender to ensure this process moves quickly. Usually, you can expect to receive your title within two to six weeks.

However, your lender should typically verify your final payment and send the title within 10 days, and the Department of Revenue generally takes 15 to 30 days to fully process the change.

If the title isn't available at the time of release, your lien holder should offer you a completed and signed Form T-4 Lien. However, the County Tag Office reserves the right to verify the Form T-4 before accepting the application.

Step 3: Fix Errors On Your Vehicle Title

If you receive your title and there are errors on it, you can inform the Department of Revenue and make changes. Just keep in mind that you can't make alterations or corrections to the face of the title or the manufacturer's origin statement, as this would require a new title or statement of origin completed by the issuing agency.

To make corrections to the statement of origin or title assignment (on the back), follow these steps:

1. Lightly cross out the incorrect information, ensuring it remains legible. Never use tape or correction fluid. Do not erase any information.
2. Enter the correct information clearly above the lined-through information.
3. Complete Form T-11 Affidavit of Correction, citing the reason you are correcting it.

To correct the vehicle purchase or transfer date, you will need to get a replacement title or statement of origin from the issuing agency, ensuring it shows the correct date. This requires paying a $10 title penalty and obtaining copies of the front and back of the check between the seller and buyer that support the change of purchase date.

To correct an incorrect odometer reading, you will need to complete Form T-107 Odometer Discrepancy Affidavit(s), as will the seller of the vehicle. 

When Is A Lien Release Not Necessary?

Depending on your situation, a lien release isn't always necessary in Georgia. There are two scenarios where this will not need to happen.

The first is that, for a vehicle 11 model years old or more, the title is recorded for 10 years from the date of issue. The second is that, for a vehicle that is 12 model years old or more, the title must be recorded for 4 years from the title's issue date.

Whenever you have the lien-free title to your car, truck, or van, you can use it to get a title pawn. Pawning your car title in Georgia allows you to get cash for emergency expenses. Learn more about how to qualify for a GA title pawn below.

What Are The Requirements For Georgia Title Pawns?

Once you have cleared your car title and have received the updated, lien-free document, you can now apply for a title pawn. When you choose Georgia Auto Pawn, Inc., you can borrow up to $15,000, depending on your vehicle's value. Along with your new clear car title in Georgia, you will need a few other items to prove your identity, age, and vehicle value.

Here are the required items for a title pawn in Georgia:

• A state-issued photo ID that displays your name and date of birth
• A lien-free vehicle title in your name
• Your vehicle for a quick inspection

How much you can borrow will depend on your car’s value, which we will determine during a vehicle inspection. Gather the items we mentioned above and start the approval process online.

How To Get Approved For A Title Pawn

As long as you have the required items mentioned above, the approval process shouldn’t take too long. In fact, many borrowers get approved the same day they apply. You can do the same as long as you follow our fast, efficient approval process. You can begin online before completing the process at one of our Georgia store locations in less than 30 minutes.

Here's how to get a GA auto title pawn once you have a clear car title:

1. Fill out our online inquiry form with your basic details
2. Answer a phone call from our loan agent to discuss title pawn terms
3. Bring your required items to the nearest Georgia branch
4. Have your requirements verified and your vehicle inspected for its value
5. If approved, sign the loan agreement to complete the process
6. Receive your title pawn cash later the same day or by the next business day

Use Your Clear Car Title In Georgia To Get An Auto Pawn – Borrow Up To $15,000 Today!

Once you've followed the steps explained above, you will have a clear car title in Georgia that you can use to acquire a GA auto title pawn. Title pawns let you borrow emergency cash within one business day without needing to worry about your credit score or income. To kickstart the process, just complete our online title pawn form and visit us in person to gain approval in under 30 minutes.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.