It is crucial to use a boat bill of sale when you want to purchase a boat in the State of Georgia. The Georgia boat bill of sale is a legitimate document that provides evidence of the sale between the buyer and seller. It is a binding agreement that protects both parties from illegal dealings and ensures that the sale happens on an ‘as-is’ basis. The vessel bill of sale contains essential details such as buyer and seller’s names, price, signatures, legal seal, sale date, boat condition, payment information, among other relevant inclusions in a sale agreement form.
Ensure that you incorporate a bill of sale when you want to purchase a boat since it is a mandatory document in Georgia State during registration and titling of the watercraft.
Georgia bill of sale templates – browse bills of sale for different assets in Georgia.
You might also read our guide to refresh your memory on the basics of bills of sale.
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After finalizing the sale, the new boat owner must start the registration process as soon as possible. As per Georgia’s law, the seller should inform the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) about the sale and ownership transfer within fifteen days. The seller must provide exact copies of the boat bill of sale form plus other relevant documents involving both parties.
If you have bought a sailboat or a powered vessel with a length of more than 12 feet, you must register it before sixty days elapse after purchase or arrival in Georgia.
If you are wondering where you will register your newly acquired watercraft, below are several options that you can choose.
Visit the GADNR website and click on Vessel Registration and Renewal, and you will be redirected to the registration page. If you are registering your vessel for the first time, you have to sign up to open an account. Enter your full name, date of birth, and an identifier, which may be your State ID or driver’s license, SSN, or GADNR number (if you have ever used the site to purchase any license).
If you opt for the mail option, you have to download the Boat Registration Application form. Fill in all the relevant details and send it via mail to the GA Department of Natural Resources’ physical address.
If you do have internet access or can’t send it by mail, there is a telephone number available that you can use for registration purposes. Vessel registration in Georgia depends on the condition of the purchase. If you bought a brand new or a secondhand boat, you must follow the instructions on registering your boat. One of the documents that you must present is a complete bill of sale template. The registrars will guide you on the additional documents to present. Below are some of the particulars on the boat description section of the application form:
It is imperative to note that the purchaser will pay for the boat registration fee or renewal costs.
Motorboat Type | Registration Fees |
Less than 16 feet in length | $35 |
16 feet to <26 feet in length | $70 |
26 feet to <40 feet in length | $140 |
40 foot and over in length | $140 |
Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources |
The filling advice is intended around the bill of sale form created by our company. We strongly suggest using your local official version when possible.
Step 1: Indicate the document’s creation date.
Step 2: Type in the purchaser’s and seller’s details:
Step 3: Identify the boat being sold:
Step 4: Now, you need to choose the way you are going to be given money for the boat.
Enter the transaction date and write the full sum that has to be paid for the boat. After that’s been concluded, you will need to indicate the way of purchase:
Next, decide on one transaction method:
As a final point, specify whether the purchase amount includes all applicable taxes.
Step 5: Look at standard terms and make sure both sides are familiar with them.
They typically say that the purchaser obtains the object sold in “as-is” condition and is responsible for it once the transaction is completed.
Step 6: Now, the bill of sale form must be signed.
In the majority of states, the signature of the buyer isn’t mandatory. However, you’ll be more protected against legal problems if both parties sign the document. You can also have one or several witnesses verify the transaction.
Step 7: Notarize the form
With this, you will have even more legal protection. Nevertheless, this is typically entirely optional.
The purchaser should own the original bill of sale because it’s frequently required during the title change. There are two ways here: you need to either prepare and sign a pair of identical bills of sale or get a copy for the seller to store.