How Do I Register My Boat In Georgia

Boats are not issued titles in Georgia, however all watercraft must be properly registered in the state.

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The state of Georgia does not require boats to have titles. Notwithstanding, all watercraft operated on public waterways in the state must have a electric current registration from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Some vessels, like small sailboats and boats with no motorized propulsion, are exempt. When applying for a Georgia boat registration, the country requires title as proof of buying if the vessel comes from a title country.

Vessels and Waterways in Georgia

Georgia requires vessels with motorized propulsion and sailboats over 12 feet long to accept current registration when used on the "waters of this state." This term describes bodies of water inside state boundaries, the waters adjacent to Georgia, and on the sea when traveling to or from Georgia.

A "vessel" is every type of watercraft used every bit transportation in Georgia, including inflatable rafts and homemade watercraft. Seaplanes and sailboards are exempt from this definition. Not all vessels demand a registration; certain watercraft are exempt:

Sailboats shorter than 12 feet long with no mechanical propulsion.
Vessels operated by paddling, poles or wind with no mechanical propulsion, such every bit canoes, kayaks, rowboats and rubber rafts.
Boats used only on private lakes or ponds.

Types of Watercraft Registration in Georgia

In Georgia, there are three types of boat registrations:

New Registration: A boat or watercraft that has never been registered with the Georgia Section of Natural Resources.
Renewal Registration: Renewal of Georgia registered boats with the same registration number and possessor.
Transfer Registration: Occurs when a vessel changes hands. The current possessor transfers the existing registration to the new owner's name.

Georgia Vessel Registration Dates

The new owner will go a new registration date, which is the last twenty-four hours of their month of birth during the terminal yr of the vessel'south registration. New boat owners with unexpired registrations must apply to transfer the state registration into their name, as they cannot use the previous owner's registration.

Vessel registrations last for 3 years in Georgia. They expire on the terminal day of the owner's nascence calendar month in the terminal registration year. When renewing a boat registration with a service center operator, owners should indicate any changes to their contact information. They tin can also note contact changes on their mailed renewal form.

Marine Toilets and Registration Fees

Owners of boats with marine toilets tin can transport their Vessel Registration Awarding with the fee included to the address on the form or phone call 800-366-2661 and pay using a credit card. The country bases registration fees on boat length.

Boats greater than xvi anxiety long: $35.
Boats from 16 to under 26 feet long: $70.
Boats from 26 to under 40 anxiety long: $140.
Boats that are 40 feet in length and over: $210.
Duplicate Vessel Registration: $eleven.
Marine Toilet Certificate (with registration): $5.
Marine Toilet Document (without registration): $15.
Expired registration late fee for renewal: $10.
All registration applications have transaction fees: $10 for filing applications via mail, phone or online and $8 for renewals online.

A vessel with a marine toilet must take a let equally well as a registration carte. The DNR gives boat owners a decal to bear witness they accept a Marine Toilet Certificate, which must be affixed to the hull of their boat next to the registration number. The certificate is transferable to subsequent owners of the vessel.

Documents Needed to Register a Vessel in Georgia

When registering a vessel or watercraft in Georgia, owners must bear witness that the boat is indeed theirs. All documents should include data about the watercraft, such as its registration number, a hull ID number (HIN), length, make, year and structure materials. These documents include:

Bill of sale.
Dealer'south invoice.
Transferred title to the new order, if the vessel comes from a championship country.
Proof of a lottery prize, raffle, gift or donation, such equally a argument of gift, a winner's notification or other legal documents.
Divorce prescript or proof of spousal transfer, such as a pecker of sale or court order showing the vessel's transfer.
Legal documents showing the transfer from a deceased owner or an inheritance.
If the vessel is from a lien holder, repossession, or defalcation, the owner must show a courtroom lodge or other legal document giving the seller the authorisation to sell the vessel.
Insurance claim (proof can include the seller'southward bill of auction with a theft or loss written report).
Pawn store claim (proof can include the seller's beak of sale with a pawn store affidavit or ticket).

Submitting a Vessel Registration Application

When someone registers a gunkhole online, the application does not require a signature. Instead, applicants check an electronic understanding box. If they register by telephone, they tin use their online account to electronically verify the application or get a pre-printed application to sign. They tin can besides ask the DNR service desk for a concrete application.

When applying using their online customer account, gunkhole owners can upload a photograph or scanned paradigm of their application to GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com. They can also electronic mail the awarding to: documents@GaBoat.com. The DNR allows owners to fax their documents to 678-515-9470 or mail service them to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 934943 Atlanta, GA 31193-4943.

Documents Requirements for Special Circumstances

Depending on the circumstances, the DNR may require additional proof of buying. For instance, if a watercraft has a paper title, the old owner must transfer the original to the new possessor and keep a copy for themselves. If they cannot complete a transfer of the newspaper championship, they must file an Affidavit of Vessel Ownership.

An owner of a new boat that has never had a registration must include the Manufacturer'southward Argument of Origin with their application and keep a copy for themselves. An possessor registering an out-of-state vessel must submit its title if it came from a title state, or registration bill of fare copy if it came from a non-championship state.

Bootleg watercraft that has never had a registration certificate requires an HIN number. If the vessel doesn't accept one, the DNR volition physically inspect it before issuing a number. Owners can request the inspection subsequently applying and paying the registration fee, but they must be the vessel'southward builder and keep it only for their their own use. Georgia does non allow for the transfer or auction of homemade watercraft to another owner.