Boat Ownership In Georgia: Title Requirements And Laws

If you're a boat owner in Georgia, you'll need to register your boat with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This applies to all mechanically-propelled vessels and any sailboats over 12 feet in length that are used on waters of this state. However, boats that are fully registered in another state and will only be operated in Georgia waters for up to 60 days are exempt from this rule. To register your boat, you'll need to provide proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale, and complete a vessel registration application. The registration is valid for three years and must be renewed before it expires to avoid a $10 late fee and a possible change in your registration number. In addition to registering your boat, you'll also need to register your boat trailer with the Georgia Motor Vehicle Division.

What are the requirements for boat registration in Georgia?

To register a boat in Georgia, you must first ensure that your boat meets the requirements for registration. All mechanically-propelled vessels and any sailboats more than 12 feet in length used on "waters of this state" must be registered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. "Waters of this state" refers to any waters within the territorial limits of Georgia, including the marginal sea adjacent to the state and the high seas when navigated as part of a journey to or from the shore of Georgia. This definition does not include privately-owned ponds or lakes that are not open to the public.

If your boat meets these requirements, you will need to gather the following documents:

• A valid driver's license or other form of identification.
• Proof of vessel ownership, such as a bill of sale or a dealer's invoice. If you cannot provide proof of ownership, you may complete an Affidavit of Vessel Ownership Form.
• A signed Georgia Vessel Registration Application. This application will require the vessel owner's contact information and details of the boat's make and model, among other technical information.
• Method of payment. Registration fees vary depending on vessel specifications and other factors.

Additionally, some vessels may require extra documents:

• Georgia vessels with paper titles: These vessels have an eTitle in Georgia's registration system. If a paper title has been created, it must be transferred to the new owner, and the original must be submitted. If the transfer of the paper title is not available, the Vessel Affidavit of Ownership must be completed.
• Boats that have never been registered: You will need the original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
• Out-of-state registrations: If you are coming from a title state, you must include the title. If you are from a non-title state, submit a copy of your out-of-state registration card.
• Homemade vessels that have never been registered: You will need to include your Hull Identification Number (HIN) in your application. If you do not have one, you must undergo a DNR HIN inspection after registering your boat and paying the fees. Only the builder of a homemade boat intended for personal use may request a HIN and register the vessel in Georgia.

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can submit your application in one of four ways:

• Online: Create an account at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com and upload clear photos or scanned copies of your documents. This is the fastest way to register your boat.
• Phone: Call 1-800-366-2661 to complete the application over the phone.
• Mail: Send your documents to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at P.O. Box 934943, Atlanta, GA 31193-4943. This option may take up to four to six weeks to process.
• In-person: Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Suite 1252 Atlanta, GA 30334.

After submitting your application, you will receive your registration card, two decals, and a bow number. The registration card must be kept on the boat whenever it is on the water, and the decals and bow number must be displayed on each side of the boat.

What documents are needed to register a boat in Georgia?

To register a boat in Georgia, you must submit two documents: proof of ownership and a completed and signed Vessel Registration Application.

Proof of Ownership

This is most commonly satisfied by a Bill of Sale. If that’s not available, any of the following documents can be used:

• Official state Owner of Record letter or equivalent
• Lottery Prize/Raffle or Gift/Donation: Legal documents, Statement of Gift, or Winner Notification
• Divorce with Decree or Spouse Transfer: Bill of Sale from the seller (spouse owner of the boat) or Court Order showing transfer
• Legal documents showing transfer from a deceased owner or inherited owner
• Court Order or other document giving the seller possession and/or authority to sell in the case of Lien Holder Repossessions, Bankruptcy, Default on Payment
• Bill of Sale from Seller and Theft/Loss Report in the case of an Insurance Claim
• Bill of Sale from Seller and Pawn Shop Affidavit or Ticket for a Pawn Shop Claim

If none of these documents can be obtained, a completed and signed Affidavit of Vessel Ownership Form may be submitted by the vessel owner.

Vessel Registration Application

This application requires the vessel owner’s contact information and details of their boat’s make and model, among other technical information. If the application is completed and submitted online, an e-signature can be used instead of a physical signature.

Additional Documents

Some vessels require additional documents to complete the registration process:

• Georgia vessels with paper titles on record: If a paper title has been created for the vessel, it is the controlling document and must be transferred to the new owner. If the transfer of paper title is not available, the Vessel Affidavit of Ownership must be completed.
• Boats that have never been registered: The original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is required.
• Out-of-state registrations: If you’re coming from a title state, you’ll have to include the title. If you are not coming from a title state, you may submit a copy of your out-of-state registration card.
• Homemade vessels that have never been registered: If you’re building your own boat, you’ll need to include your HIN number in your application. If you do not have one, you must undergo a DNR HIN inspection after you register your boat and pay the registration fees. Only the builder of a homemade boat intended for their own personal use may request a HIN and register the vessel. Homemade vessels cannot be transferred or sold in Georgia.

Registration Methods

After assembling your application, you can submit it in one of four ways:

• Create a customer account at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com. You’ll need to upload clear photos of your documents or scan them into your account. This is the fastest way to register your boat.
• Call 1-800-366-2661 to complete the application over the phone.
• Mail your documents to GA Dept. of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 934943, Atlanta, GA 31193-4943. This is the slowest way to finish your registration.
• Visit the DNR Go Outdoors Online Vessel System, log in or create a new account, and follow the prompts to register a new vessel.

Registration Timeline

Depending on your situation, it may take up to four to six weeks to receive your registration. Temporary boat registrations are available and are good for 60 days in Georgia.

Additional Requirements

Once you have successfully registered your boat, you will receive a registration card, two decals, and be assigned a bow number. The registration card must remain aboard the boat whenever the vessel is on the water. The assigned bow number must be displayed on each side of the front half of the boat. Finally, your registration decals should be affixed to either side of the bow just like your assigned bow number.

Registration Renewal

All boat registrations are valid for three years. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will send you a renewal notice in the mail 60 days before the expiration of your current boat registration. Registrations may be renewed any time after October 1 of the year before expiration. To renew your registration, simply fill out the Vessel Registration Form again, marking the fields that indicate you are renewing your registration. You do not need to submit any additional information when renewing your Georgia boat registration.

You can submit your renewal application in the same ways as the initial registration application:

• Online through www.georgiawildlife.com
• Over the phone at 1-800-366-2661
• By mail to GA Dept. of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 934943 Atlanta, GA 31193-4943

Boat Trailer Registration

In addition to registering your boat, you’ll need to register your boat trailer with the Georgia Motor Vehicle Division. You can apply for your trailer registration certificate in person at the closest Georgia MVD.

What are the fees for boat registration in Georgia?

In Georgia, boat registration fees vary depending on vessel specifications and other factors. The current fees for boats are as follows:

• Boats less than 16 feet in length
• Boats 16 feet to less than 26 feet in length
• Boats 26 feet to less than 40 feet in length
• Boats 40 feet or more in length

There are additional fees for duplicate registration, a marine toilet certificate (with or without boat registration), and a late fee for the renewal of a lapsed registration. There is also a standard transaction fee of $10 for all applications, regardless of whether they are submitted by mail, phone, or online.

Boat registration in Georgia is required for all mechanically-propelled vessels and any sailboats more than 12 feet in length used on "waters of this state". This includes all lakes, marginal seas adjacent to the state, and the high seas when navigated as part of a journey to or from the shore of Georgia. However, registration is not required for privately-owned ponds or lakes that are not open to the public.

The registration process can be completed online, by phone, or by mail. To register a boat, you will need a valid driver's license or other form of identification, proof of vessel ownership (such as a bill of sale or dealer's invoice), a signed Georgia vessel registration application, and the registration fee. The registration must be renewed every three years, and the decals provided must be adhered to each side of the boat.

How do I renew my boat registration in Georgia?

To renew your boat registration in Georgia, you must first gather the following:

• A valid driver's license or other form of identification
• The Hull Identification Number (HIN)
• Vessel make, length, and year built
• Method of payment (credit card, check, or money order)

You can then renew your registration online, by phone, or by mail.

Online

Visit the DNR Vessel Registration and Renewal portal. Log in or create a new account, then follow the steps to renew your registration. You must use a credit card for payment.

By Phone

Call DNR at 1-800-366-2661 to renew your boat registration. You must use a credit card for payment over the phone.

By Mail

Mail a completed application and payment to:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

P.O. Box 934943

Atlanta, GA 31193-4943

Make checks or money orders payable to GEORGIA DNR. Cash is not accepted for payment.

Boat registrations are renewed instantly after the application is approved. You will receive an updated registration card and boat decal in the mail approximately 7 to 14 business days after approval. You can check the status of your application online or by calling the DNR at 1-800-366-2661.

Do I need to register my boat trailer in Georgia?

Yes, you need to register your boat trailer in Georgia. All boat trailers must be registered with the Georgia Motor Vehicle Division. Registration is done through your local County Tax Commissioner's Office (Tag Office). You can find your nearest Tax Office location on the Georgia MVD website.

Registering a Boat in Georgia

In addition to registering your boat trailer, you must also register your boat in Georgia if it meets certain criteria. All mechanically-propelled vessels and any sailboats more than 12 feet in length used on "waters of this state" must be registered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This includes boats with mechanical propulsion that are used exclusively on private ponds.

Boat registration certificates are valid for three years and expire on the last day of the vessel owner's birth month in the last year of registration. Registrations may be renewed at any time after 1 October in the year before expiration. You will be mailed a renewal notice 60 days before your current registration expires.

If you are registering a boat in Georgia for the first time, you will need to submit two documents:

• Proof of ownership: This is most commonly a Bill of Sale, but there are other documents that can be used if this is not available. If you cannot produce any of the accepted documents, you can complete an Affidavit of Vessel Ownership Form to prove that you are the rightful owner of the boat.
• A completed and signed Vessel Registration Application: This will require the vessel owner's contact information and details of the boat's make and model, among other technical information.

In addition to these two documents, some vessels require extra documentation to complete the registration process. These include Georgia vessels with paper titles, boats that have never been registered, out-of-state registrations, and homemade vessels that have never been registered.

You can submit your application in one of four ways:

• Online at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com: You will need to upload clear photos or scanned copies of your documents. This is the fastest way to register your boat.
• Over the phone by calling 1-800-366-2661
• By mail to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 934943, Atlanta, GA 31193-4943
• In person at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Suite 1252 Atlanta, GA 30334

It may take up to four to six weeks to receive your registration. However, temporary boat registrations are available and are valid for 60 days in Georgia.

Frequently asked questions