It's the Law: Before Going Out

All operators are required to obey laws that regulate your vessel's registration and operation.

Registering Your Vessel

You must have a Georgia Certificate of Boat Registration and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters in Georgia. The only exceptions are:

• Sailboats under 12 feet in length
• Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and rubber rafts that have no mechanical propulsion (i.e., boats that are paddled, poled, rowed, or windblown)
• Vessels operated exclusively on private ponds or lakes
• Vessels registered in other states and using Georgia waters for 60 days or less

The Certificate of Boat Registration and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to the Georgia DNR.

The certificate (pocket-sized plastic card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.

The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Number's color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: GA 3717 ZW or GA-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be displayed on each side of the bow, preceding the prefix letters of the registration number.

If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.

Other Facts About Registering Your Vessel

• If a vessel owner changes addresses, he or she must notify the DNR Boat Registration Office by mail or phone.
• If you abandon or destroy your vessel, you must report it to the DNR Boat Registration Office within 15 days and surrender your Certificate of Boat Registration.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Boat Registration or decal, you must apply for a duplicate by submitting a registration application form and a $1.00 fee. Check the "duplicate" box on the form.
• Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. If documented, the vessel is exempt from Georgia numbering requirements but must display the Georgia registration decals on the bow of the vessel.

How To Apply For or Renew Your Vessel's Registration

As of October 1, 2008, you can apply for or renew your vessel registration in one of three ways:

1. Online boat registration
   Go to www.goboatgeorgia.com to register, transfer, or renew your boat online.
2. Telephone boat registration
   Call 1-800-366-2661 and select Option 2.
3. Mail-in boat registration
   Download and print an application to submit via mail by going to www.goboatgeorgia.com.

A Certificate of Boat Registration is valid for three years and expires on the last day of the owner’s month of birth. The expiration date is on the certificate and decals. A renewal form is mailed to the owner at least 30 days prior to the expiration date. If the renewal form is not received by mail, the owner may renew by one of the three methods shown above.

Registration Fees for Three-Year Boat Registration

Note: Additional transaction fees will apply based on the method chosen to register the vessel. These fees are subject to change if the law changes.

Buying and Selling a Vessel

There are many ways to acquire a vessel. Regardless of how the acquisition occurs, the buyer must have supporting documentation that shows a legal trail of ownership. At a minimum, the buyer is required to have the following documents.

New Vessel

• Original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin
• Dealer’s Invoice/Bill of Sale

Used Vessel Registered in Georgia

• Current Georgia registration card from the last owner of record
• Notarized Bill of Sale from last owner of record to current buyer

Used Vessel Registered in Another State

• Title (if coming from a state that requires titles)
• Current registration card from the last owner of record
• Notarized Bill of Sale from last owner of record to current buyer

To transfer ownership of the vessel to the current buyer, the buyer submits the application, the required documentation as listed above, and the required processing fee to the DNR.

Once the required documentation and fee are received, the DNR will send the buyer a new Certificate of Boat Registration in the buyer’s name.

For more information, contact the Boat Registration Office at 1-800-366-2661 or visit www.goboatgeorgia.com.