Picking up in Cumming and Forsyth County
Cumming is the Forsyth County seat and the only incorporated city in the county. The New Georgia Encyclopedia credits Georgia 400 with turning it into a bedroom community for Atlanta (New Georgia Encyclopedia: Cumming). That means a lot of two- and three-car households, and a lot of replaced vehicles sitting in driveways and HOA neighborhoods.
If your community has HOA rules about towing or parked vehicles, just tell us. The tow driver can call ahead, work around gate codes, and load from a driveway or garage apron. Coal Mountain, Matt, and the north end of the county are as easy as town.
Lake Lanier on Forsyth County's doorstep
About 30 percent of Lake Lanier's shoreline lies in Forsyth County (New Georgia Encyclopedia: Forsyth County), and the Corps of Engineers' master plan places Cumming on the lake's southern end. Older pontoons, ski boats, and jet skis that have stopped earning their storage fees are good donations. We pick them up on the trailer. Let us know the boat's length, the engine, and whether it is stored at home, in a storage lot, or at a marina.
Forsyth County is also home to the University of North Georgia's Cumming campus, so student cars that get replaced are another common donation.
Forsyth County tag office and Georgia title steps
You do not need an appointment at the tag office to donate. Georgia titles and registrations are handled by each county's tax commissioner, which runs the local tag office. For Forsyth County, that is the Forsyth County Tax Commissioner. Check that office's site for current hours and locations; Georgia DOR keeps a statewide list of county tag offices. In most donations you won't need to visit at all: you sign the title and we handle the transfer paperwork.
Loans and liens. If a lender's lien is still on the title, it has to be released first. For liens recorded electronically, DOR says only the lender can release them; on a paper title the lienholder signs the release section or gives you a Form T-4. Paid off years ago and never got the paperwork? Send us what you have. (Georgia DOR: releasing a lien)
Signing the title. Georgia DOR says the owner completes the assignment on the back of the original title, in blue or black ink, and that alterations or erasures can void it. Every owner listed on the front signs. Never hand over a title signed in blank; Georgia law treats that as a misdemeanor. We mark exactly which lines are yours before pickup. (Georgia DOR: transferring a Georgia title)
Your license plate. In Georgia the plate stays with you, not the vehicle, so take it off before the tow truck arrives. You can move it to another vehicle you get at your county tag office. Cancel the registration online through DRIVES e-Services or with Form MV-18J before you drop insurance; DOR fines coverage lapses on a vehicle that is still registered. (Georgia DOR: cancelling a registration)
Boats and personal watercraft. Boats are not titled at the county tag office. Georgia DNR's Wildlife Resources Division has issued electronic boat titles since July 1, 2020. When a registered boat changes hands, DNR says the owner reports the sale within 15 days and gives a detailed bill of sale; if a paper boat title was issued, it must be signed over. Personal watercraft are registered on the same vessel form, and boat trailers do not need a Georgia title. (Georgia DNR: boat registration and eTitles)
Questions we hear from Cumming donors
How far is Cumming from your headquarters?
Cumming is about 20 miles from Dawsonville by road, usually around half an hour. Pickup is still scheduled after the vehicle is accepted; we do not promise same-day service.
My HOA does not allow tow trucks without notice. Is that a problem?
No. Tell us the HOA or gate requirements when you submit the vehicle, and the driver will call ahead and load from your driveway or another spot you choose.
I still owe money on the car. Can I donate it?
The lien has to be released first. If the lender recorded the lien electronically, only the lender can release it. Pay it off, get the release, and then we can move forward.
Can you pick up a boat from a Forsyth County marina?
Yes, as long as the boat is on a trailer or the marina can put it on one. Georgia boats are electronically titled through Georgia DNR, so have the registration number ready.
Do I keep my license plate?
Yes. Georgia plates stay with you. Remove it before pickup and cancel the registration before cancelling insurance.
Distances and drive times are approximate route estimates from Dawsonville, not pickup windows. Title rules summarized here are general information from the official sources linked on this page, not legal or tax advice; your instructions are confirmed for your specific vehicle. Content reviewed 2026-10-02.
Cars Helping Kids is not affiliated with Cars Helping Kids, Inc. of Denver, Colorado.