Do I need a special bill of sale for a used boat in Georgia?
Georgia requires a bill of sale for all private party vehicle sales. A used boat may have additional disclosure requirements around condition, mileage, or title status.
Used vehicle bill of sale
Used Boat Bill of Sale Georgia
Selling a used boat in Georgia? Pre-owned vehicle private party sale — generate the right bill of sale for your transaction.
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Selling a used boat in Georgia
When selling a used boat through a private party sale in Georgia, a bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the transaction details and the vehicle's condition at the time of sale.
Legal considerations for used vehicles in Georgia
Georgia requires the seller to complete the assignment form on the back of the original title, entering the buyer's full legal name, current address, date of sale, and the odometer reading. The seller must also cancel registration by submitting Form MV-18J (Application of Voluntary Registration Cancellation) to the county tag office or online via DRIVES e-Services. Sellers in the 13 metro-Atlanta counties (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale) must provide a valid, unexpired emissions inspection certificate at time of sale — failure is a misdemeanor with fines of $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. The Georgia DOR's Form T-7 Bill of Sale is used for vehicles 1985 or older that do not carry a title; for titled vehicles (1986 and newer) the back of the title serves as the primary transfer document. Note: the specific ink-color requirement (blue or black ink) was not confirmed on the official DOR source page and has been removed from this note.
Required disclosures
Federal odometer disclosure is required on the title assignment form for vehicles under 20 model years old. Vehicles 20 model years old or older may enter 'exempt' in the odometer field under the Federal Truth in Mileage Act, as confirmed by the Georgia DOR odometer disclosure page. Georgia Code § 40-3-91(c) makes delivering or accepting a title assigned in blank a misdemeanor punishable by up to $100 fine or 30 days imprisonment.
Georgia Required Form: Form T-7 (Bill of Sale, required for pre-1986 vehicles); Form MV-18J (Registration Cancellation)
Georgia requires Form Form T-7 (Bill of Sale, required for pre-1986 vehicles); Form MV-18J (Registration Cancellation) for used vehicle transactions. No additional state inspection is required.
Georgia steps for used vehicles
- Complete all fields on the title assignment form (back of title)
- Cancel your registration via DRIVES e-Services or by submitting Form MV-18J to the county tag office
- Provide a valid emissions inspection certificate if selling in one of the 13 metro-Atlanta counties
- For vehicles 1985 or older without a title, complete Form T-7 Bill of Sale
- Retain a copy of the completed title and any bill of sale for your records
Buyer warning
The buyer is responsible for titling and registering the vehicle within 7 days of the purchase date at the county tag office, using Form MV-1 (Title/Tag Application). All vehicles in Georgia are sold 'AS IS' unless otherwise specified in writing — 'As is means NO warranty, and verbal promises may not apply,' per the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. An emissions inspection certificate may be required in applicable counties.
Georgia Boat transfer fees and requirements
In Georgia, the title transfer fee is $18 and registration costs $20 per year. Boat sales are subject to Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Georgia does not require notarization for private-party boat transfers. Emission testing is required in Georgia — verify the boat passes before completing the sale.
- TAVT replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax in 2013
- Emissions testing required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
- Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase
Georgia sales tax on boat purchases
Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. 6.6% TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) on fair market value. Private-party boat sales in Georgia are subject to sales tax. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013. The title transfer fee is $18.
Boat market data and safety information
The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat
Before completing a boat bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:
- Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
- Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
- Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
- Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment
- Confirm USCG-required PFDs, throwable cushion, and visual distress signals are present
- Verify fire extinguisher is current and properly sized for vessel length
- Test carbon monoxide detector function on cabin boats
- Confirm kill-switch lanyard operation cuts engine immediately
Boat insurance and depreciation in Georgia
Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.
Boat registration and titling
Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.
Boat title transfer rules
Boat ownership transfer uses a Hull Identification Number (HIN), not a VIN. Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (typically over 26 feet) transfer through federal documentation, not state title. State-titled boats transfer like vehicles with a signed title and bill of sale. State-titled boats use a certificate of title similar to a vehicle. USCG-documented vessels use a federal Certificate of Documentation. Buyers should verify which system applies before closing.
Required disclosures for boat sales in Georgia
When selling a boat in Georgia, the following disclosures apply:
- USCG documentation status — vessels over 5 net tons may be federally documented instead of state-titled.
- Hull condition and any history of submersion, grounding, or hurricane damage should be disclosed.
- Trailer inclusion — if the boat is sold with a trailer, the trailer requires its own title transfer in most states.
Georgia bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 3,204 bill of sale documents for Georgia transactions, with 86 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
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Create Georgia Boat Bill of SaleFrequently asked questions
What should I include when selling a used boat?
Include buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers (VIN, year, make, model), sale price, date, signatures, and a clear description of the vehicle condition as used.
Is a used boat bill of sale legally binding in Georgia?
Yes. A properly completed bill of sale is a legal document in Georgia. For used vehicles, disclosing the condition protects both buyer and seller.
What are the Georgia fees for transferring a used boat?
Georgia charges a $18 title transfer fee. Registration costs $20 per year. Sales tax: Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Notarization is not required.
How much is a used boat worth in a private sale?
Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Used vehicles typically fall in the lower range. The most common makes are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha.
What safety items should I check on a used boat?
Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls