As the owner of a mechanically-powered vessel, you are legally required to register your boat before launching it on Georgia’s waterways. All motorboats must be registered in the state of Georgia. You can register your boat in the County Clerk's Office of the county of your residence or where the boat is most used. All registered vessels must also be titled in Georgia.

Georgia law requires that all mechanically powered vessels and all sailboats over 11', which are principally used on Georgia waters must be registered before they can be legally used on any of Georgia's public waterways.

Exceptions

Currently registered boats from other states may use Georgia waters for 60 days or less.

Boat Classifications

Your boat's classification is determined by its length and type of propulsion. The class will determine applicable laws, required equipment and the registration fees you will pay upon initial registration and at renewal.

To find your boat's length, measure the straight line distance from the foremost part of the boat (bow) to the rearmost part of the boat (stern), excluding any protruding attachments. Your measurement must be exact.

Registration Fees:

The above costs do not include property taxes, clerk’s fees, titling fees or any other applicable charges.

Once a proper application is submitted with the required fee, you will receive a Certificate of Registration and two (2) validation decals. The Certificate of Registration must be carried on board when boat is in use. The validation decals must be affixed to the boat. See below for placement instructions.

Numbering Your Vessel

Once your boat has been assigned a registration number and decals, you must display them on your boat correctly. The registration number must be displayed on each side of the bow, read from left to right and in a position to be distinctly visible. The letters and numbers must be of a plain BLOCK design, at least three (3) inches tall and of a color that contrasts to the color of the hull. There must be a letter size space or hyphen between letter and number groups:
Correct: GA 1234 YZ or GA-1234-YZ
Incorrect: GA1234YZ

Registration decals are to be placed within six inches to the left of, and in line with the registration number.

Upon renewal every year, old registration decals are to be removed and the current ones applied.

Home-Built Vessels

Home built boats and boats built after 1973 are required to have a Hull Identification Number (HIN). You can apply for a HIN by clicking here.

How to Renew or Replace Your Boat Registration

Click here and follow directions.

Reporting Changes

You must notify the DNR Boat Registration Office within 15 days of the date when:

• ownership or owner's address changes or
  
• vessel is destroyed or abandoned