Georgia Boat Registration Summary
Georgia boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Georgia. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state. You will also find an extensive listing of general
purpose boat and trailer registration forms on our Forms
page.
Please visit our
State page for additional
articles and information about registering or titling boats, trailers,
and outboard motors.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 353,950 boats registered in Georgia. This state
ranks 13th among nationwide boat registrations. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The
registration number prefix for the State of Georgia is "GA". Registration numbers must be
displayed on all state registered boats, except those which are
documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. |
|
Registration Agency |
The Department of
Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division administers boat
registrations in Georgia. |
|
Registration Requirements |
Registration is required on all boats except sailboats under
12 feet in length, canoes, kayaks, rowboats and rubber rafts
that have no mechanical propulsion (i.e., are paddled, poled,
oared or windblown), boats operated exclusively on private ponds
or lake. The registration cycle is 3 years. Registration is also
required for Coast Guard documented vessels. |
|
Title Requirements |
Georgia does
not issue boat titles, this is a registration only state. |
|
Boat Records |
Boat
registration records are maintained indefinitely by the State of
Georgia. Detailed
information on how to obtain verbal and written reports can be
found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Abandoned Boats |
Georgia has
provisions for removal of abandoned boats, however there are no
specific procedures for registration. Information about
abandoned boats can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
State Tax Requirements |
Sales tax
applies on boat transactions and there is a yearly personal property tax. |
|
Loan Perfection |
A security
interest on a non-documented boat in Alabama is perfected with a UCC
financing statement. If the vessel is Coast Guard documented, a
preferred vessel mortgage must be recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Georgia does
not designate joint ownership terms on boat registrations. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may apply for a registration if the boat is located within the
State of Georgia. |
|
Hull Inspections |
All boats
built after 1972 must have an appropriate hull identification
number in order to qualify for registration. If not, an assigned
number must be affixed by a state official. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
The transfer,
abandonment, theft, or destruction of a Georgia registered boat
must be reported to the Wildlife Resources Division within 15 days. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Georgia does
not title or register outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailers
are registered in Georgia, but not titled. |
|
Notary Regulations |
Georgia
notaries must affix an embossed or stamped seal on all notarized documents. |
| Visitation
Period |
Boats that
are Coast Guard documented or registered in another state are
allowed
a visitation period of 60 days. |
|
Georgia Boat Registration
Department of Natural Resources
|
