Updated June 01, 2022
A Georgia boat/vessel bill of sale serves as evidence of a vessel’s purchase and sale between two (2) or more private parties, typically a buyer and seller. The bill of sale documents everything from the vessel’s identifying information, such as its HIN number and make/model, to the vessel’s agreed-upon purchase price. A new owner will be required to present a bill of sale upon registering the vessel under their name with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Signing Requirements – Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale to legally execute the document.
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Registering a Boat
All mechanically-propelled vessels and sailboats exceeding twelve (12) feet in length must be registered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before operated on public waters. Registrations are valid for three (3) years and expire upon the third year on the owner’s birth-date month. Renewals may be processed online through the DNR’s registration portal, by phone (1-800-366-2661), or via mail.
Note: All private sellers of a vessel must report the sale or transfer within fifteen (15) days to the DNR. See here for the DNR’s guide.
Where to Register
In the State of Georgia, four options are available for registration purposes. All options involve submitting all documentation to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in one of the following ways:
(1) Online through the DNR’s registration portal;
(2) Via mail to the address below:
GA Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 934943
Atlanta, GA 31193;
(3) Via fax to the number: 678-515-9470; or
(4) By emailing a scanned image(s) or photo(s) of the document to [email protected]
Required Documents
- Bill of Sale or Other Valid Proof of Ownership;
- Vessel Registration/Title Application (REV 2020);
- Original Certificate of Title or Current Registration (only for out-of-state titles transfers);
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (only required for brand-new boats);
- Valid Photo ID or Proof of Identity; and
- Registration Fees ($35-$210, depending on the boat’s length).