Georgia boat registration is handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and you need it before you can legally operate any motorized vessel on state waters
Every boat with a motor — whether it's a bass boat, pontoon, jet ski, or sailboat with an auxiliary engine — must be registered with the state. Registration gives your boat a number that goes on the hull, proves ownership, and is required by law before launching. The process takes about two weeks if you submit everything correctly the first time, and costs between $25 and $100 depending on the boat's length and whether it's your first registration or a renewal.
You can register through the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (part of DNR), either by mail or in person at a county office. Some county tax commissioners also handle boat registration, so you may be able to walk in locally instead of mailing documents to Atlanta. The fastest route is usually your county tax commissioner's office if one near you processes boat registrations — call ahead to confirm they do.
Key Takeaways
- You need a signed bill of sale or proof of ownership, your Social Security number or federal tax ID, and proof of your address to register a boat in Georgia.
- Boats are registered by length: under 16 feet, 16 to 26 feet, 26 to 40 feet, and over 40 feet, with registration fees increasing by category.
- Your county tax commissioner's office may process boat registrations faster than mailing to the state, so call first to see if yours does.
- Once registered, you receive a certificate and a registration number that must be painted on the hull in a specific size and location before you launch.
What documents you need to bring or mail
Start by gathering proof that you own the boat. If you bought it recently, bring the bill of sale signed by the previous owner. If you inherited it, own it outright, or are registering a homemade vessel, bring whatever document shows you as the owner — a title from another state, a gift letter, or a manufacturer's certificate of origin. If the boat came with a title from the state where it was previously registered, bring that too.
You also need a completed process form. Georgia uses Form 3200 (process for Boat Registration), which you can read from the Georgia DNR website or pick up at a county tax commissioner's office. Fill in your name, address, Social Security number or federal tax ID, the boat's make and model, hull identification number (HIN — usually on a metal plate on the transom or inside the cabin), length, and whether the motor is inboard, outboard, or jet drive.
Finally, bring proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or government-issued ID with your address on it. If you're registering by mail, include a photocopy of your driver's license or ID as well.
Where to register and how long it takes
Your county tax commissioner's office is the fastest place to register if they handle boat registrations. Call the tax commissioner in your county and ask whether they process boat registrations in-house. If they do, you can walk in with your documents, pay the fee, and usually leave with your registration certificate the same day or within a few days. If your county doesn't offer this service, you'll mail everything to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division at 2070 U.S. Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.
By mail, registration typically takes two to three weeks from the day they receive your packet. The state will send you a certificate of registration and a decal (a sticker) to place on the boat. Some counties also have Wildlife Resources Division offices that process registrations; call your local office to ask.
Do not launch the boat before you receive your registration number and certificate. Operating an unregistered boat is illegal and can result in a fine.
Registration fees and how they're calculated
Georgia charges registration fees based on the boat's length, not its age or engine size. The fee structure is:
| Boat Length | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 16 feet | $25 |
| 16 to 26 feet | $50 |
| 26 to 40 feet | $75 |
| Over 40 feet | $100 |
Measure your boat from the foremost point of the hull to the aftermost point, not including the motor or any attachments. If your boat is exactly 16 feet or exactly 26 feet, it falls into the higher category. Registration is valid for three years from the date of issue, and you'll need to renew it before the expiration date to keep operating legally.
The registration number and where it goes on the hull
Once you receive your certificate, the state will assign a registration number — typically starting with "GA" followed by numbers. You must paint this number on both sides of the hull in characters at least 3 inches tall, using a contrasting color (white on a dark hull, black on a light hull). The number must be placed in the forward third of the boat, above the waterline, and be clearly visible and legible from at least 50 feet away.
If your boat already has a number from another state, you must remove or cover it before you launch in Georgia. Do not use the old number; use only the Georgia registration number assigned to you. The number is how law enforcement identifies your boat on the water, so placement and visibility matter for legal compliance.
Renewing your registration before it expires
Your registration is good for three years. About 30 days before it expires, you should renew to avoid operating an expired registration. You can renew by mail or in person at your county tax commissioner's office using Form 3200-R (Renewal process for Boat Registration). You'll need your current registration certificate, proof of address, and the renewal fee (the same amount as the original registration based on boat length).
If you renew before the expiration date, your new certificate will be valid for three years from the expiration date of the old one, not from the date you renew. This means you don't lose time by renewing early. If your registration expires and you don't renew within 30 days, you cannot legally operate the boat until you do.
What to do if you sell the boat or it's damaged beyond repair
If you sell the boat, notify the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division in writing and include your registration certificate. The new owner will need to register it in their name using the same process. If the boat is destroyed, stolen, or damaged beyond repair, contact DNR to cancel the registration and request a refund of any unused portion of the registration fee (refunds are prorated by month).
Keep your registration certificate and decal with you whenever you operate the boat. Law enforcement can stop you on the water and ask to see proof of registration, just as they can on the road. A lost certificate can be replaced by contacting the Wildlife Resources Division with your boat's HIN and registration number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register a boat with no motor or a sailboat with no engine?
No. Non-motorized boats — canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats without an auxiliary engine — do not need to be registered in Georgia. However, you may still need to follow other boating laws, such as wearing a life jacket if required by federal rules.
Can I register a boat I'm buying from out of state?
Yes. Bring the out-of-state title or bill of sale along with your other documents. If the boat has an out-of-state registration number on the hull, you must remove or paint over it before launching in Georgia. The state will issue you a new Georgia registration number.
What if I don't have a bill of sale or title?
Contact the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division and explain your situation. They may ask you to provide an affidavit of ownership or other proof that you own the boat. The process will take longer, so call ahead rather than mailing documents and waiting for a response.
How do I know my boat's hull identification number?
The HIN is usually stamped or engraved on a metal plate on the transom (the back of the boat) or inside the cabin near the helm. It's a 12-character code that looks similar to a vehicle identification number. If you can't find it, the boat's manufacturer or a dealer can help you locate it.
Can I register a boat online?
Georgia does not currently offer online boat registration. You must register by mail or in person at a county tax commissioner's office or Wildlife Resources Division office. Check the Georgia DNR website for the office nearest you.