Georgia boat registration is handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the process depends on whether your boat is motorized, where you'll use it, and whether you own it outright or are financing it.

Most boats used in Georgia waters must be registered with the state, even if they're only used occasionally. The Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division manages all boat registrations and issues the certificate and decal that prove your boat is current. Registration is not the same as titling — Georgia requires both for motorized vessels, but the processes happen separately and through different offices.

You can register your boat in person at a Georgia DNR office, by mail, or through an authorized agent such as a marine dealer or tax assessor's office. The fastest route is usually an authorized agent near you, because they can process the paperwork the same day and issue your decal when ready. Mail registration takes two to three weeks. You'll need your boat's hull identification number (HIN), proof of ownership, and payment for the registration fee, which varies based on the boat's length and type.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia requires registration for any motorized boat and for sailboats over 14 feet, whether you use them in state waters or keep them docked at home.
  • You need both a registration certificate and a registration decal; the decal must be visible on the boat's hull to avoid a citation.
  • Authorized agents — marine dealers, tax assessor's offices, and some bait shops — can register your boat and issue the decal on the same day.
  • Registration fees depend on your boat's length and motor type, and the certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue.
  • If your boat is financed, the lender's name will appear on the registration certificate, and you cannot transfer ownership without their signature.

What boats must be registered in Georgia

Any boat with a motor — regardless of horsepower — must be registered in Georgia. This includes outboard motors, inboard motors, jet drives, and electric trolling motors. Sailboats over 14 feet must also be registered. Boats under 14 feet with no motor, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable boats without motors do not need registration, though you may still need a boating safety certificate if you operate a motorized boat.

The registration requirement applies whether you use the boat in Georgia waters, keep it in a garage, or trailer it to other states. If you move to Georgia with a boat registered in another state, you have 30 days to register it in Georgia. Boats used primarily in other states but kept in Georgia during the off-season still need a Georgia registration.

Documents and information you'll need to register

Before you visit an agent or mail in your registration, gather the hull identification number (HIN), which is a 12-character code stamped into the boat's hull, usually on the starboard (right) side near the stern. You'll also need proof of ownership — a bill of sale, previous registration certificate, or manufacturer's certificate of origin if the boat is new. If the boat is financed, bring the loan documents or contact information for the lender, because their name must appear on the registration.

You'll need to provide the boat's length (in feet), the type of motor (outboard, inboard, jet drive, or electric), and the motor's horsepower. If you don't know the horsepower, the manufacturer's plate on the motor or the boat's documentation will have it. You'll also need the name and address of the person or business registering the boat, and a mailing address for the certificate.

If the boat is titled in another state, bring that title or a certified copy. Georgia will issue its own title once registration is complete. If you're registering a used boat and don't have the original bill of sale, an authorized agent can help you obtain an affidavit of ownership from the DNR.

Registration fees and how long the certificate lasts

Georgia registration fees are based on the boat's length and motor type. Motorized boats are charged by length in five-foot increments — a boat 16 to 20 feet costs more than one 11 to 15 feet. Sailboats over 14 feet have a separate fee schedule. Electric trolling motors are charged at a lower rate than gasoline or diesel motors. The DNR website lists the current fee schedule, which is updated annually.

A registration certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue. You'll receive a decal to display on the boat's hull; this decal is what law enforcement checks during a boating stop. The decal must be affixed to the starboard side of the hull, forward of the boat's midpoint and above the waterline. When your registration expires, you must renew it before operating the boat in Georgia waters.

Where to register your boat

You can register at any Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division office, but the fastest option is an authorized agent. Authorized agents include marine dealers, tax assessor's offices in most counties, and some bait and tackle shops. An agent can process your registration and issue the decal the same day, so you can leave with everything you need to operate legally.

To find an authorized agent near you, contact your county tax assessor's office or search the DNR website for a list of marine dealers in your area. If you prefer to register by mail, send your completed process form (available on the DNR website), proof of ownership, and payment to the address listed on the form. Mail registration takes two to three weeks, and you'll receive the certificate and decal by post.

If you register in person at a DNR office, bring all documents listed above, your payment method (check, cash, or card, depending on the office), and allow 30 minutes for processing. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require an appointment. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether an appointment is needed.

Titling your boat separately from registration

Georgia requires both registration and a title for motorized boats. The title is a separate document that proves ownership and is issued by the DNR's Boat Title Section. If you're registering a new boat, the manufacturer's certificate of origin serves as the title until you register; the DNR then issues a Georgia title. If you're registering a used boat from out of state, bring the previous state's title, and Georgia will issue its own.

If your boat is financed, the lender's name will appear on the Georgia title as a lienholder. You cannot sell or transfer the boat without the lender's signature on the title. If you pay off the loan, contact the lender to have them release the lien, then submit the title to the DNR for a new one in your name only.

Titling is included in the registration process when you register through an authorized agent or DNR office. You do not pay a separate fee for the title; it is issued as part of the registration package.

What happens if your boat registration expires or you don't register

Operating a boat without a current registration in Georgia is a violation and can result in a citation. Law enforcement checks the registration decal during boating stops, and if the decal is missing, expired, or not properly displayed, you can be cited. Fines for operating without registration vary but can include a monetary penalty and the requirement to register before operating again.

If your registration expires, renew it before using the boat. You can renew by mail, at an authorized agent, or at a DNR office using the same process as initial registration. Renewal is simpler than initial registration because you already have a certificate; you just need to submit the renewal form and payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register a kayak or canoe in Georgia?

No. Kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized boats under 14 feet do not require registration. However, if you add a motor to a kayak or canoe, it then becomes subject to registration requirements.

What if I buy a boat from a private seller and don't have a bill of sale?

An authorized agent or DNR office can provide an affidavit of ownership form. You and the seller complete this form, have it notarized, and submit it with your registration. This serves as proof of ownership when a bill of sale is not available.

Can I register my boat online?

Georgia does not offer online registration. You must register in person at an authorized agent or DNR office, or by mail. An authorized agent is usually the fastest option because they issue the decal when ready.

How long does it take to get a Georgia boat title?

The title is issued at the same time as registration. If you register in person at an agent, you receive the title and decal the same day. If you register by mail, the title and decal arrive together in two to three weeks.

What if I move out of Georgia — do I need to keep my Georgia registration?

No. If you move to another state and register your boat there, you can cancel your Georgia registration. Contact the DNR to request cancellation, and you will not be charged for the remaining time on your certificate.