Guide · 7 steps · registry · notary · utilities
Buying Property in Georgia Step by Step — From Registry Extract to Keys
The whole purchase path on one page: checking the registry extract, the preliminary contract, payment, Public Registry registration and getting the keys — with exact fees.
7 steps from extract to keys
1 · Registry extract
Before trusting anyone, pull the official extract: who owns the property and whether a mortgage or seizure encumbers it. Deal only with the person named in the extract — search by cadastral code takes minutes.
Extract & verification2 · Price check
Compare the asking price to the market: neighbourhood average $/m², recent deals and similar listings. An inflated price is a negotiation point, not a dealbreaker.
Neighbourhood $/m²3 · Preliminary contract & deposit
Pin the terms before committing: price, deadlines, deposit amount and refund rules. Pay the deposit only by bank transfer with a receipt — never cash in hand.
Preliminary template4 · Main contract
A sale in Georgia is valid in written form — a notary is optional by agreement, and the Public Registry verifies the parties’ signatures at filing. Many still choose a notary for extra safety: they check powers of attorney and spousal consent.
Sale contract template5 · Payment
Pay by bank transfer so a trail remains: deposit under the preliminary contract, balance tied to registration or via escrow. “It will register tomorrow” plus full upfront payment never go together.
Cost calculator6 · Public Registry registration
Title passes to the buyer only by registration. The fee depends on speed: ₾150 — 4 business days, ₾270 — 1 day, ₾350 — same day. Signature verification at the registry is ₾7.
Registry & timelines7 · Keys, handover act, utilities
The handover act records the flat’s condition and meter readings; then you re-register the utilities into your own name. The act and the transfer are same-day matters.
Utility transfer
Fees at a glance
- Registration fee — ₾150 / ₾270 / ₾350 by turnaround; signature verification ₾7
- Transfer tax on a sale — 0%
- Notary — optional; fees are set by law and depend on the contract amount
- Agent commission — 1–3%, usually on the seller’s side
- Buying with a mortgage — down payment and bank fees; compute in the mortgage calculator
Common traps
- “I’m the owner’s relative” — deal only with the person named in the extract
- A general power of attorney plus an absent owner — a reason for extra diligence
- Photos of a different flat — an in-person viewing is mandatory
- A deposit without a receipt — never
- A “today only” price — check against market data and negotiate
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy without a notary?
Yes. A sale contract in Georgia is valid in written form — the Public Registry verifies the signatures at filing (₾7). A notary is an extra layer of safety: they check the parties, powers of attorney and spousal consent.
Which step matters most?
The registry extract check. Title passes only by registration, so the owner’s identity, mortgage and seizure status must be verified before signing — every other step builds on that foundation.
How long does the whole process take?
For prepared parties — a few days: extract and checks in one day, the preliminary contract once terms agree, then execution and registration by turnaround — 1–4 business days (₾270 or ₾150).
How do I protect the payment?
By bank transfer with a receipt; tie the balance to registration or use an escrow. Paying everything upfront before registration is a risk nobody needs to take.
Can a foreigner buy this way?
Yes — the process is the same, with a passport. The only difference is agricultural land; see the guide for foreign buyers.
From contract to registry — complete
Templates, a cost calculator and the mortgage calculator — in one place.