Free Georgia Boat Bill of Sale
Georgia is one of the few states that does NOT title boats. All vessels register (without title) through the Georgia DNR. And unlike cars, boats don't fall under TAVT — they pay traditional state + local sales tax (typically 7–8% combined), paid to the Georgia DOR.
Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for €4.99. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Boats are sold with undisclosed liens far more often than cars. Our guide covers running a title search, decoding the HIN, separating boat and trailer titles, and what a Coast Guard document means for the transfer process. Read: Boat Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →
Georgia Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary ID Field
HIN (Hull ID Number)
Sales Tax
4%
Title Required
No
Georgia does NOT title boats. All vessels are registered only (not titled) through the Georgia DNR. This is unusual — most states title boats.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Boats pay traditional 4% state sales tax + local county sales tax (typically 3%–4%, total 7%–8%) — NOT TAVT. Boats are NOT part of the TAVT system.
Inspection Requirements
No state safety or emissions inspection. USCG federal rules apply.
Georgia Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify HIN on transom matches any prior registration documents.
- Complete bill of sale with HIN, length, year/make, motor serial, sale price.
- Trailer separate — trailers fall under TAVT and title through County Tag Office.
- Seller provides prior registration (if registered) and signs bill of sale.
- Buyer completes Georgia DNR Boat Registration Application within 30 days.
- Buyer pays 4% state + local county sales tax to Georgia DOR.
- Buyer files registration + tax payment with DNR; no title issued.
- USCG-documented vessels: federal title, GA tax still applies if used in-state.
Common Pitfalls
- Expecting a boat title — there isn't one in Georgia. Ownership tracks through registration and bill of sale.
- Expecting TAVT on boats — boats are outside TAVT; regular sales tax applies.
- Forgetting the trailer is separate (and IS under TAVT).
- Missing state + local sales tax — Georgia boats tax like appliances, not like cars.
Pro Tip
GA boats are unusual: no title, traditional sales tax (not TAVT), through DNR. A rock-solid bill of sale is more important here than in title states.
Georgia Boat Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Georgia title boats?
No. Georgia is one of the few U.S. states that does NOT title vessels — all boats are registered only, through the Georgia DNR. Ownership is tracked via registration and bill of sale. When buying a Georgia boat, insist on a detailed bill of sale since there's no title to prove ownership.
Do boats pay TAVT in Georgia?
No — boats are outside the TAVT system. Georgia boats pay traditional 4% state sales tax + local county sales tax (usually 3%–4%), total roughly 7%–8%. This tax goes to the Georgia DOR and is paid by the buyer when registering the boat.
How do I prove ownership of a Georgia boat without a title?
A detailed bill of sale + current registration certificate are the ownership documents. The bill of sale should include HIN, length, year/make, motor serial, sale price, and signatures. Without a title, these documents are all the next buyer has — so completeness matters more in Georgia than in title states.
Other Georgia Templates
🚘Vehicle Bill of Sale🚗Car Bill of Sale🚙Used Car Bill of Sale🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale🚛Trailer Bill of Sale🐴Horse Bill of Sale🏎️ATV Bill of Sale🔫Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale🏕️RV Bill of Sale📄General Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale🎁Gift Bill of Sale