Buying or selling a car in Guyana: transferring ownership
A car isn't legally yours until it is transferred at the Guyana Revenue Authority. Here is what to bring and what it costs.
Transfer fee
GRA charges GYD 25,000 or 2% of the selling price, whichever is greater (the 2% applies above GYD 1,250,000). Motorcycles are GYD 5,000.
Checklist
- Buyer and seller both go to a GRA Licence Revenue Office together.
- The completed transfer application form (from GRA).
- The original Certificate of Registration. If it is lost, an affidavit instead.
- TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) for buyer and seller.
- Valid ID for both: national ID card, passport or driver's licence.
- Proof of the sale: an agreement of sale or bill of sale (or deed of gift, or court order).
- For a company: a letter on its letterhead, stamped, authorising the person who attends.
- Any outstanding licence or road taxes paid up before the transfer.
- The transfer fee (above).
Before you pay
- Check that the name on the Certificate of Registration matches the seller's ID.
- Check that the chassis and engine numbers on the car match the certificate.
- Ask whether the car is still under a loan or hire-purchase agreement, and get proof it is paid off.
- Meet in a public place, bring someone with you, and avoid paying deposits before you've seen the car.
- Pay by a traceable method, and make the transfer together at GRA on the day of payment if you can.
Based on GRA's Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle page. Requirements can change; check with GRA before you go. This is general information, not legal advice.