Georgia boat registration is handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, not your county tag office

Boat registration in Georgia is separate from vehicle registration. You do not go to your county tag office or the DMV. Instead, you register through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division. This applies whether your boat is a sailboat, motorboat, jet ski, or any other vessel you operate on Georgia waters.

The process is straightforward: you complete a registration form, provide proof of ownership, pay a fee based on your boat's length, and receive a registration number that you must display on the hull. The registration lasts three years, and you renew it before it expires.

Georgia requires registration for any boat with a motor, regardless of horsepower, and for sailboats 12 feet or longer. Non-motorized boats under 12 feet do not need registration. If you own a boat registered in another state but keep it in Georgia for more than 90 days, you must register it in Georgia.

Key Takeaways

  • Register your boat through the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, not through your county tag office or the DMV.
  • You need proof of ownership (bill of sale, manufacturer's certificate, or previous registration), a completed process form, and payment based on your boat's length.
  • Registration is valid for three years from the date of issue and costs between $25 and $100 depending on whether your boat has a motor and how long it is.
  • You must display the registration number on both sides of the hull in letters at least 3 inches tall, and the number must be visible and maintained.
  • If you buy a used boat, you have 30 days to register it in Georgia; operating an unregistered boat is a violation.

What documents you need to register

Before you contact the DNR, gather your proof of ownership. This can be a bill of sale from the seller, the manufacturer's certificate of origin if the boat is new, or your previous boat registration if you are transferring from another state. The document must show the boat's hull identification number (HIN), which is a 12-character code stamped on the hull, usually on the starboard (right) side near the top.

You will also need a completed process for Boat Registration (Form 3200-0001), which you can read from the Georgia DNR website or request by phone. The form asks for your name, address, the boat's description (length, type, motor type), and the HIN. If you are registering a boat with a motor, you may need to provide the motor's serial number as well.

Bring a valid photo ID and proof of residency if you are registering in person. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. If you are registering by mail, a copy of your driver's license is usually sufficient.

How to register in person or by mail

You can register at any Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division office during business hours. The main office is in Atlanta, but there are regional offices across the state. Call ahead to confirm hours and location, or check the DNR website for the office nearest you. Bring all your documents, the completed form, and payment. Registration is issued on the spot.

To register by mail, send your completed process, proof of ownership, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the registration certificate returned by mail.

Some county tax commissioners' offices also accept boat registration applications and can forward them to the DNR on your behalf. Call your county tax commissioner to ask whether they offer this service. If they do, you can drop off your documents there instead of traveling to a DNR office.

Registration fees and what they cover

Boat registration fees in Georgia are based on the boat's length and whether it has a motor. A non-motorized sailboat under 16 feet costs $25 for three years. A motorized boat 16 feet or longer costs $75 for three years. Boats between 16 and 26 feet with a motor cost $100 for three years. These fees do not change during the three-year period, and you do not pay annually.

The fee covers your registration certificate and the right to operate the boat on Georgia waters. It does not cover a boating safety course, vessel insurance, or a fishing license if you plan to fish. Those are separate and handled by different agencies.

If your registration expires, you can renew it by submitting a renewal form, proof that the boat still exists and is in your possession, and the renewal fee. Renewal is the same price as initial registration and is valid for another three years.

Where to display your registration number

Once you receive your registration, the DNR assigns you a number that begins with "GA" followed by digits. You must paint or attach this number to both the port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the hull in letters at least 3 inches tall. The numbers must be in a contrasting color so they are clearly visible from the water. Do not cover the numbers with anything, and keep them maintained so they remain readable.

The numbers should be placed on the forward half of the boat, roughly where a law enforcement officer can see them from a distance. If your boat is a jet ski or other personal watercraft, the number goes on the side of the hull in the same way. Failure to display the registration number or displaying a number that is not current is a violation and can result in a citation.

Renewing your registration before it expires

Your registration is valid for exactly three years from the date it is issued. You should renew it before the expiration date. The DNR sends a renewal notice to the address on file about 30 days before expiration, but do not rely on receiving it—it is your responsibility to track the date.

To renew, contact the DNR with your current registration number and the renewal fee. You do not need to provide proof of ownership again unless the boat has changed hands. If you renew on time, the new registration begins on the expiration date of the old one. If you let it expire and then renew, there may be a late fee, and you cannot legally operate the boat until the new registration is issued.

If you sell the boat, the new owner must register it in their name. The registration does not transfer. The buyer has 30 days to register the boat; operating an unregistered boat is a violation regardless of how recently it was purchased.

What happens if your boat is damaged, lost, or stolen

If your boat is damaged beyond repair or destroyed, contact the DNR to report it. You may be able to cancel the registration and receive a refund of the unused portion of the fee, though this varies depending on when the damage occurred and how much of the three-year period remains.

If your boat is stolen, report it to local law enforcement and then contact the DNR. Provide the police report number. The DNR will flag the registration so that if someone tries to register the boat under a different HIN or in another state, it can be identified as stolen. Do not assume the registration is automatically cancelled; you may need to request cancellation in writing.

If your registration certificate is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement from the DNR for a small fee. Bring your ID and any remaining portion of the certificate if you have it, or straightforward provide your registration number and the DNR can issue a duplicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boating safety certificate to register my boat in Georgia?

No. Registration and boating safety certification are separate. However, Georgia law requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, to carry a boating safety certificate while operating a motorized boat. You can take the course online or in person through the Georgia DNR or approved providers. The certificate is not part of registration.

Can I register a boat I am still paying off?

Yes. You register the boat in your name as the owner. If there is a lien (the lender has a financial interest), that is a separate matter between you and the lender. The registration does not require proof that the boat is paid off. However, the lender may require you to carry insurance and may have other conditions in your loan agreement.

What if I move out of Georgia but keep my boat here?

If you move to another state but keep your boat in Georgia and operate it on Georgia waters, you must maintain Georgia registration. If you move the boat to your new state and operate it there, you should register it in that state instead. Check with your new state's boating authority about their requirements.

How do I know if my boat's HIN is valid?

The HIN is a 12-character code stamped into the hull, usually on the starboard side near the top. It is permanent and cannot be removed or altered. If you cannot find it or it appears to have been tampered with, contact the DNR before registering. A missing or altered HIN is a red flag for a stolen boat.

Can I register a homemade or custom-built boat?

Yes, but you will need to provide documentation of the boat's construction or a bill of sale from whoever built it. If the boat does not have a manufacturer's HIN, the DNR may assign one. Contact the DNR before you build or buy to understand what documentation you will need.