Overview
Every application, new or renewal, also carries a flat $10 transaction fee, and titling - mandatory in Georgia since mid-2023 - costs $18. Any motorized vessel and any sailboat 12 feet or longer has to register; unpowered canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards don't. The calculator below totals registration, title, and sales tax for a purchase, or just the renewal cost if you already own the boat.
01 - Official fees
Georgia boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft | $35 | 3-year registration |
| 16 ft to under 26 ft | $70 | 3-year registration |
| 26 ft to under 40 ft | $140 | 3-year registration |
| 40 ft and over | $210 | 3-year registration |
| Boat title | $18.00 | mandatory since July 2023 |
| Transaction fee | $10.00 | every application, new or renewal |
| Sales tax on purchase | 4% state + local | not TAVT - combined rate typically 6–9% |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tag office (Georgia Department of Revenue) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Georgia
- 1
Get the signed-over title from the seller (dealers handle this for a new boat).
- 2
Complete the DNR boat registration application, available online through GoOutdoorsGeorgia or at a license agent.
- 3
Submit the application along with your registration fee, the $18 title fee, and the $10 transaction fee.
- 4
Pay Georgia sales tax (4% state plus your county's local rate) on the purchase price if it's a new-to-you boat.
- 5
Display your GA registration numbers and the current decal on both sides of the bow.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Georgia vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Georgia boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Georgia?
For a three-year term: $35 under 16 ft, $70 for 16 up to 26 ft, $140 for 26 up to 40 ft, $210 for 40 ft and over - plus the flat $10 transaction fee every time. First-time buyers add the $18 title fee and Georgia's state-plus-local sales tax on the purchase price.
Do kayaks or canoes need to register in Georgia?
No - unpowered kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards never need registration, regardless of length. Add a motor of any kind, including an electric trolling motor, and registration becomes mandatory. Sailboats register once they reach 12 feet.
Why doesn't my boat pay TAVT like my car did?
TAVT is specific to titled motor vehicles under Georgia's vehicle code - boats fall under a separate statute and are taxed through the regular state-and-local sales tax system instead, at whatever the combined rate is in the county where you take delivery.
Is a boat title actually required in Georgia?
Yes, since July 1, 2023 all registered vessels need a title, not just registration - a change from the old system where many boats only carried a registration number. If you're buying used, make sure the seller can produce a proper title, not just an old registration card.
Does an outboard motor get its own registration in Georgia?
No - unlike some states that title the boat and motor separately, Georgia treats the outboard as part of the vessel for registration purposes. You register and title the boat as a whole.
What's the deadline to transfer a boat title after buying one?
Georgia expects the new owner to title and register promptly after the sale - treat it the same as the vehicle standard and file within 30 days to avoid the risk of operating an unregistered vessel, which can draw a citation from DNR law enforcement on the water.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.