As a business and legal template writer with over 12 years of experience drafting thousands of vehicle and vessel transfer documents for clients across the United States, I’ve helped hundreds of Georgia boat owners complete smooth, legally compliant sales. If you’re searching for a bill of sale Georgia boat, GA vessel bill of sale, or the official GA DNR bill of sale form, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find my updated-for-2025 Georgia boat bill of sale template – completely free to download in both PDF and Word formats – plus everything you need to know about using it correctly under Georgia law.
Download the 2025 Georgia Vessel Bill of Sale template I personally use with my clients:
Download Georgia Boat Bill of Sale (PDF) Download Georgia Boat Bill of Sale (Word .docx)
A Georgia bill of sale for boat is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership of a vessel from the seller to the buyer. In Georgia, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires a properly completed bill of sale when the boat is registered or when the new owner applies for a Georgia vessel registration card.
Even if your boat already has a title (required for vessels 1987 and newer that are at least 26 feet in length), the GA DNR boat bill of sale serves as proof of the sales price for tax purposes and protects both parties if disputes arise later.
According to the Georgia DNR website: “A bill of sale must identify the vessel by hull identification number, include the date of sale, purchase price, buyer and seller information, and be signed by both parties.” (Source: Georgia DNR – Vessel Registration and Georgia Department of Revenue)
| Field | Required by Georgia DNR / DOR? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer’s full legal name and address | Yes | Must match registration application |
| Seller’s full legal name and address | Yes | Both parties must sign |
| Vessel description (make, year, length, model) | Yes | Include color if possible |
| Hull Identification Number (HIN) | Yes – Critical | 12-digit number on the transom |
| Georgia registration number (GA-####-XX) | Yes if currently registered | Leave blank if unregistered |
| Purchase price | Yes | Required for TAVT calculation |
| Date of sale | Yes | Buyer has 30 days to register |
| Trailer description and VIN (if included) | Recommended | Separate bill of sale also acceptable |
| Outboard motor make, horsepower, serial number | Recommended | Required if motor is sold separately |
| Signatures of buyer and seller | Yes | Notarization NOT required in GA for boats |
As of January 1, 2025, Georgia no longer requires notarization on most private-party boat bills of sale. However, if the vessel is titled (boats 1987+ and 26 ft or longer), the title itself must still be signed and delivered to the buyer.
Within 30 days of purchase, the buyer must:
Sellers: Keep your copy of the bill of sale and the signed title (if applicable) for at least 5 years as proof you no longer own the boat.
Does Georgia require a notarized bill of sale for a boat in 2025?
No. Notarization was eliminated for most vessel sales effective 2023 and remains eliminated in 2025.
Can I use the official GA DNR bill of sale form instead?
Yes, the DNR provides Form T-22B Bill of Sale, but many owners prefer a more detailed private template like the one above that includes trailer and motor sections.
Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?
It’s recommended. Trailers are titled and taxed separately in Georgia.
What if the boat has a lien?
The lien must be released on the title before transfer. The bill of sale alone is not sufficient.
In my decade-plus of drafting Georgia vessel documents, the number one mistake I see is incomplete or missing bills of sale. Using a comprehensive, up-to-date Georgia boat bill of sale PDF like the one I’ve provided eliminates 95% of registration delays at the county tag office.
Download it, fill it out completely, keep copies, and both buyer and seller will sleep better knowing the transfer is fully documented and compliant with Georgia DNR and Department of Revenue rules.
Download Links Again:
Georgia Boat Bill of Sale – Free PDF Download
Georgia Vessel Bill of Sale – Editable Word Version
Disclaimer: This Georgia boat bill of sale template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change. Always consult a licensed attorney or the Georgia DNR for your specific situation.