Form T-20, Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle, is a sworn statement issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division. In it, an applicant certifies that the heirs of a deceased vehicle owner agreed to have the certificate of title issued to the person named on the form. The Henry County Tax Commissioner publishes the PDF. Although searches for Henry County property tax may lead here, the form itself deals only with the certificate of title for one vehicle. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the applicant's signature must still be sworn before a notary public.
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What is T-20?
Form T-20, Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle, is a sworn statement on a Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division form certifying that a deceased owner's heirs agreed to have the certificate of title for the vehicle issued to the person named.
The form is headed "State of Georgia" with a line for the name of the county. In the sworn text, the applicant certifies four things about the deceased owner and the estate: the deceased owned the vehicle described on the form at the time of death and left no will; no application for administration of the estate is to be had; the estate is not indebted; and the surviving spouse, if any, and the heirs, if any, have amicably agreed among themselves that the certificate of title be issued to the person named below.
The form then collects the applicant's or inheritor's full legal name and address, the vehicle's year, model and make, its Vehicle Identification Number, its current title number, the state of issue and the license plate number. The applicant signs, and a notary public completes the Notarization block with signature, seal or stamp and commission expiration date.
The printed revision is Rev. 06-2005. The Henry County Tax Commissioner hosts the PDF in its document center. The form says any correction or alteration voids it.
Who needs to file T-20?
The main user is a person who inherits a motor vehicle from a deceased owner and wants the certificate of title issued in that person's name. That person is the applicant or inheritor named on the form, and the applicant signs.
The form asks the applicant to swear to conditions about the deceased owner and the estate:
- The deceased owned the vehicle at the time of death and left no will.
- No application for administration of the estate is to be had.
- The estate is not indebted.
- The surviving spouse, if any, and the heirs, if any, have agreed among themselves that the title be issued to the person named.
If you cannot truthfully swear to these statements, the form does not fit your situation. The form also addresses the case where the deceased left a Will that is not to be probated: a legible copy of the Will must then accompany the form.
The form says nothing about a representative signing for the applicant. It states only that the applicant's signature is sworn before a notary public.
When to file T-20
Complete Form T-20 when the owner of a motor vehicle has died and the heirs have agreed that the certificate of title should be issued to one person. The affidavit is the sworn statement that supports that request. The form prints no separate due date and no validity period.
Timing matters in one respect: the signature is made before a notary public, who completes the sworn-to date (day, month and year) and the commission expiration date. Gather the required attachments first. The original valid title, the certified death certificate and, where the deceased left a Will that is not to be probated, a copy of the Will must accompany the form. Any liens and security interests shown on the Motor Vehicle Division's records must also be released.
Documents you need
- A legible copy of the Will, only if the deceased left a Will that is not to be probated.
- A certified copy of the deceased's death certificate.
- The vehicle's original valid title, issued in the deceased's name or properly assigned to the deceased.
- For a vehicle currently titled in Georgia in the deceased's name: the title itself, if it is available.
- Release of every lien and security interest shown on the Motor Vehicle Division's records; the form states that all of them must be released.
How to fill out T-20
Enter the county name
At the top, after "State of Georgia," write the name of the county on the County line.
Name the deceased owner
In the sworn paragraph, enter the full legal name of the deceased on the line provided. This is the person who owned the vehicle at the time of death.
Read the certified statements
The paragraph states that the deceased left no will, no administration of the estate is to be had, the estate is not indebted, and the heirs agreed on the division. Complete the form only if these statements are true for you.
Enter the applicant's information
Under Applicant Information, enter the applicant's/inheritor's full legal name, street address, and city, state and ZIP code.
Describe the vehicle
Under Vehicle Information, enter the vehicle's year, model and make, and its Vehicle Identification Number.
Add title and plate details
Enter the vehicle's current title number, the state of issue and the license plate number.
Print the applicant's name
Under Applicant's Printed Name & Signature, type or print the applicant's name. Leave the signature line for the signing.
Sign before a notary public
The applicant signs in the notary's presence. The notary then completes the Notarization block: the day, month and year, the signature and seal or stamp, and the commission expiration date.
Gather the required attachments
Prepare the certified death certificate and the vehicle's original valid title, plus a legible copy of the Will if the deceased left one that is not to be probated. Confirm that all liens are released.
Review, download and print
Check every entry, since no correction or alteration is allowed after completion. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, sign it before the notary and submit the package through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit T-20
The form names no submission channel: it prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule. It is headed Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, and the Henry County Tax Commissioner publishes the PDF at https://henrycountytax.com/DocumentCenter/View/228/T-20-Affidavit-of-Inheritance. Ask that office how and where to deliver the package before you send it.
According to the form, the package consists of:
- The completed form, with the applicant's printed name and signature, and the notary's signature, seal or stamp and commission expiration date.
- A certified copy of the deceased's death certificate.
- The vehicle's original valid title, issued in the deceased's name or properly assigned to the deceased. If the vehicle is currently titled in Georgia in the deceased's name, submit the title if it is available.
- A legible copy of the Will, only if the deceased left a Will that is not to be probated.
All liens and security interests shown on the Motor Vehicle Division's records must be released. Do not correct the form after signing, because any correction or alteration voids it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Correcting or altering an entry after it is written; the form states that any correction or alteration voids it.
- Leaving applicable fields blank; the form requires all applicable fields to be completed without alterations.
- Handwriting the form in a color other than blue or black ink; a hand-printed form must be legible and in blue or black ink.
- Signing without a notary present, or leaving the notary's signature, seal or stamp, sworn-to date or commission expiration date blank.
- Omitting the copy of the Will when the deceased left a Will that is not to be probated.
- Sending a photocopy of the title instead of the vehicle's original valid title, or a title not issued to or properly assigned to the deceased.
- Attaching an uncertified death certificate when a certified copy is required.
- Submitting the form while liens or security interests shown on Motor Vehicle Division records remain unreleased.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form T-20, Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle?
Form T-20 is a sworn statement on a Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division form. The applicant certifies that the deceased owner's heirs agreed to have the certificate of title for the vehicle issued to the person named on the form.
Is Form T-20 a Henry County property tax form?
No. The Henry County Tax Commissioner hosts the PDF, but the form is headed Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, and it concerns the certificate of title for one inherited vehicle. It does not address any property tax.
Does the T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance have to be notarized?
Yes. The form has a Notarization block reading "Sworn to and subscribed before me," with the notary's signature, seal or stamp, the date and the date the notary's commission expires. The applicant signs the affidavit before the notary.
What documents must accompany Form T-20?
A certified copy of the deceased's death certificate and the vehicle's original valid title, issued to or properly assigned to the deceased. If the deceased left a Will that is not to be probated, add a legible copy of it. All liens must be released.
Can I correct a mistake on the T-20 after filling it out?
No. The form states that any correction or alteration will void it. If you make an error, complete a new form instead, and make sure all applicable fields are filled in without alterations.
Can I handwrite Form T-20?
Yes, with conditions. Except for the signature, the form must be typed, electronically completed and printed, or printed legibly by hand in blue or black ink. The signature is added by hand and sworn before a notary.
Can I fill out Form T-20 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the agency and does not file or notarize the form. You still sign before a notary and submit the package through the agency's channels.
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