Describe the Vehicle Being Registered
This page allows you to describe the vessel being registered. Provide as much information as possible on the vehicle being registered. Missing information may delay or prevent processing of your registration and mailing of your decals.
Please Note: You are required to complete all the required fields. If you do not complete these fields, the system will not allow you to proceed.
- Georgia Registration Number - The Georgia Vessel Registration number is the number that is assigned to the boat. If this information has already been pre-filled by the system, then this is the number on record for the Hull Number you have provided.
- USCG Documentation # - This number is the document number (DO-####) assigned by the Coast Guard for vessels registered with the US Coast Guard. Most recreational vessels will not be registered with the US Coast Guard and will not have a document number. Documentation provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes, provides for unhindered commerce between the states, and admits vessels to certain restricted trades, such as coast wide trade and fisheries. Visit the USCG for more information.
- Out of State Registration # - If your boat was purchased used from outside the state of Georgia then it will most likely have a registration number assigned by the state where you purchased the vessel.
- Marine Toilet Certificate # - If your boat has a Georgia registration and includes an orange, diamond shaped decal near the registration numbers - this may be a Georgia Marine Toilet decal. If you see this decal on the boat, enter the number displayed on the decal into the Marine Toilet Certificate field.
Hull Number or Serial Number Entry
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a 12 or 14 character serial number that uniquely identifies a boat. The HIN is analogous to a VIN on a car. All boats manufactured or imported on or after November 1, 1972, must bear a HIN, and this HIN must be identified during the boat registration process. Vessels manufactured or imported before 1972 are EXEMPT because they often do not have a HIN. The HIN is found on a metal or plastic plate, typically on the transom of the boat, usually on the right starboard (right) side of the transom within two inches of the top of transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. On vessels without transoms, or impractical to use transoms, the HIN is usually affixed to the starboard (right) outboard side of hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. On catamarans and pontoon boats with replaceable hulls, the HIN is usually affixed to the aft crossbeam, within one foot of the starboard (right) hull attachment.
Providing the correct Hull Identification Number is very important to completing your registration and receiving your decals. Incorrect or invalid Hull Identification Numbers can significantly delay the application processing.
- If the boat does not have a Hull Identification Number, you MUST select the My Vessel Does Not Have a Hull Identification Number (HIN) check box before you can proceed.
- If the boat was built prior to 1972, you must select My Vessel Does Not Have a Hull Identification Number (HIN) check box before you can proceed.
- If your boat has another identifying number, please enter this number into the Serial Number field.
Manufacturer and Model Year
The Manufacturer name and Model year are normally pre-filled for you by the system when a valid Hull Identification Number (HIN) was provided during the initial vessel lookup. If this information were not filled in for you, refer to the vessel title or prior registration documents to determine the manufacturer and model year. Model and Year Built
The model of the boat is normally provided in documentation from the manufacturer (owners manuals or other papers). In many cases the model name may simply be a number like "1436" (for an Alumacraft 1436) or Z-9. Some examples for the model names used for a jet-ski are "GTI 130" or "FX Cruiser". The system will require a response for model; if there is no model for the boat, please type "Unknown" in this space. The Year Built will normally match the Model Year; however some variations existing for boat built at the end of a year for the next model year. Coast Guard Vessel Description Codes
All vessels on the water in any state are required to be categorized by a set of standard Coast Guard codes. Choose the code that best represents the vessel you are registering and how you plan to use it. Primary Operation
- Pleasure - The majority of boats are pleasure boats for private use.
- Rent or Lease - If you plan to rent this boat for others to operate and use, you must indicate Rent or Lease (example: jet-ski or pontoon boat rental).
- Dealer or Manufacturer Demonstration - This category is normally chosen by dealers or boat builders to register boats that will be used for customer test drives or other testing purposes on open water where a state registration would be required.
- Charter Fishing - This category applies to companies or captains who will use the boat to take customers on fishing trips.
- Commercial Fishing - This category applies to companies or captains who will use the boat to harvest fish or other marine species under a state commercial fishing license.
- Commercial Passenger Carrying - This category applies to companies or captains who will use the boat for ferry operations or other transportation purposes.
- Other Commercial Purposes - This category applies to all other commercial usage - for example: tow boats.
Fuel
The fuel selection describes the type of fuel that may be carried on the boat for operation. Choose Gas or Diesel for most motor driven boats, choose electric if an electric motor will be the primary source of power (for example a trolling motor). Choose Other for sailing vessels. Propulsion Type
The propulsion type should be chosen to represent the primary method of propulsion for the boat. Propeller for all gas or diesel powered boats with a prop. Jet-skis and other personal watercraft will normally have Water Jet propulsion. Sail should be chosen if the primary drive for the boat is by sail (even if you have an outboard). Manual is chosen for boats where the primary method of movement is by paddling or rowing. Hull Material
Choose the material that best describes what the majority of the boat body is made of. Many recreational boats will be fiberglass. Most pontoon boats and utility boats or jon boats will be aluminum. Vessel Type
Choose the type that best describes the boat class. Many recreational boats will be Open Motorboat with some - like cruisers - being Cabin Motorboat. Pontoon boats now have a specific category and ARE NO LONGER classified as Open Motorboat. All jet-skis should be classified as Personal Watercraft. Kayaks should be classified as Paddlecraft.
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Here Engine Drive Type
- Outboard - All self-contained outboard motors (common for recreational boats).
- Inboard - All boats where the motor is fully contained within the hull of the boat and only a propeller shaft runs through to the outside of the hull. Also describes jet driven boats.