Vehicle registration renewal notices delayed; renewal deadlines remain

ALBANY — The state of Georgia’s Department of Revenue has sent notices to counties that a delay in the mailing of vehicle registration renewal notices has resulted from a vendor’s inability to fulfill its contractual obligation to print the notices on time.

Dougherty County Tax Director Shonna Colley said that while the state is working to catch up the backlog of registration renewal notices, there may be some delays for motorists’ whose renewals are due in October and November. A personal vehicle’s registrations is due each year by the owner’s birthday.

“The state has more than one vendor that works on the renewals, but they’re having to catch up with the delay caused by one of the vendors,” Colley said. “These pre-bills are not necessary to renew vehicle registration, but a lot of people rely on them as a reminder. We’ve been getting calls from people who are concerned.”

The Department of Revenue noted in a release that vehicle owners have a number of options for renewing registration, including:

— Through the U.S. Postal Service using a payment voucher;

— Online by using a Renewal Identification Number (provided on renewal notices). If the renewal notice is not available, a look-up tool is available on Revenue’s website, www.dor.georgia.gov;

— Via telephone;

— In person at the county’s tag office; Dougherty County’s is located in the Government Annex building at 240 Pine Ave.

“The state is working on the problem, but they wanted citizens to be aware of possible delays,” Colley said. “It’s important that vehicle owners are aware of the various options they have to renew their vehicle registration. The state hopes to have a solution in place by next week, but for people like me who rely on that reminder, they need to know that while their notice may be late in coming, the renewal deadline remains the same.”

Further information is available by calling the county’s tax/tag office at (229) 431-3208 or (229) 431-3255.