Georgia Boat Bill of Sale: What You Need

1. Agency

Georgia boat registration and eTitles are handled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Registration can be done online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661, or by mail.

Agency text: “All mechanically-propelled vessels and any sailboats more than 12 feet in length used on 'waters of this state' must be registered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. ... How do I register my boat trailer? All boat trailers must be registered with the Georgia Motor Vehicle Division. Registration is done through your local County Tax Commissioners Office (Tag Office).”

Source: https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

2. Bill of sale rule / state form

Georgia requires a bill of sale as the primary proof of ownership when registering a used boat. The bill of sale must identify the vessel (registration number, HIN, make, model year, length, hull material) and include the seller's and buyer's signatures. Georgia WRD provides an example bill of sale form. Sellers must report the sale to DNR within 15 days by filing online, calling 1-800-366-2661, or mailing the Vessel Notification of Sale form.

Agency text: “Document 1 (required): Proof of Ownership — Most often, this is a bill of sale showing sufficient information to identify the vessel, plus the seller's and owner's name. ... The following should be on the BOS: GA or Other State Registration Number, HIN #, Make, Year Built or Model Year, Length, Hull Material, Seller's and Buyer's Signature.”

Source: https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

3. Notary / witness rule

Georgia WRD states that a boat bill of sale does not have to be witnessed or notarized, although notarizing is acceptable.

Agency text: “A BOS does not have to be witnessed OR notarized, although this is acceptable.”

Source: https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

4. HIN, title, and registration notes

Georgia is an eTitle state for vessels since July 1, 2020. Once registration is finalized, vessels have a Georgia eTitle in the registration system; outboard motors over 25 hp are included. If a paper title was previously issued for the vessel, it is the controlling document and must be signed and given to the buyer at sale. Registration lasts 3 years and expires on the last day of the owner's birth month in the third year. A HIN is required for boats manufactured after November 1, 1972; if the HIN is missing, a DNR inspection is required. For out-of-state boats from a title state, the buyer must submit the original title showing transfer to their name. Out-of-state boats may be used in Georgia for 60 days before Georgia registration is required.

Agency text: “Georgia is an eTitle state for vessels. Boat owners can see an eTitle is present by logging into their account... Outboard motors over 25 hp are included on the record. ... If you sell your boat, notify DNR within 15 days as described on this web site. Give the buyer a detailed bill of sale. The eTitle will transfer to the new owner after you report the sale and give the buyer the detailed bill of sale. ... If a paper title was previously issued to you, it is mandatory that you sign and give the buyer the paper title at sale.”

Source: https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

5. Sales / use tax

The Georgia DNR registration pages read for this site do not publish a sales or use tax rate for boat sales. Check with the Georgia Department of Revenue or your county Tax Commissioner for tax information that applies to your purchase.

Source: https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Last checked: 2026-10-14. The agency pages we read do not state a rule on this point.

6. Agency seller / buyer steps

Georgia WRD boat registration page (includes forms, how-to videos, and step-by-step instructions): https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration — Georgia.gov step-by-step guide: https://georgia.gov/register-boat — Online registration: https://gooutdoorsgeorgia.com — Phone: 1-800-366-2661

Agency text: “Register/Renew a Boat — Online: Visit the DNR Go Outdoors Online Vessel System. ... 1-800-366-2661: Speak with a local representative who can help. ... CRITICAL: Boat owners must report sale or transfer of their boat or change of address within 15 days (O.C.G.A. 52-7-5(j-k)).”

Source: https://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Last checked: 2026-10-14.