When should I use the out-of-state sale page?
Use this page when your boat sale in Georgia fits a out-of-state sale scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Out-of-state sale — Georgia
Georgia Boat bill of sale for out-of-state sale
Complete your Georgia boat bill of sale for a out-of-state sale transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
GeorgiaBoatOut-of-state sale
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What to know about out-of-state sale sales in Georgia
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Boat make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any out-of-state sale-specific disclosures required in Georgia.
Seller guidance
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
Buyer guidance
You will need to re-title the vehicle in your home state after purchase. Bring the signed out-of-state title, the bill of sale, and any required inspection certificates to your local DMV. Many states require a state-certified VIN verification and an odometer disclosure statement to process an out-of-state title.
Georgia-Specific Note
GA requires all out-of-state vehicles to pay the 6.6% TAVT at the county tag office based on the state's calculated fair market value. The out-of-state title is surrendered. An emissions inspection may be required in certain metro counties.
Legal considerations
GA requires all out-of-state vehicles to pay the 6.6% TAVT at the county tag office based on the state's calculated fair market value. The out-of-state title is surrendered. An emissions inspection may be required in certain metro 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.
Safety tips for out-of-state sale boat transactions
When completing a out-of-state sale boat sale in Georgia, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common boat recall categories are Fuel System, Electrical, Steering. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for out-of-state sale boat sale in Georgia
- Confirm the original title is signed and notarized if required by the seller's state
- Obtain a state VIN verification form if required in the buyer's state
- Complete odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form (49 CFR Part 580)
- Gather emissions or safety inspection certificates if required in the buyer's state
- File for title transfer in the buyer's home state within the permitted timeframe
- Pay 6.6% TAVT at county tag office on state fair market value
- Surrender out-of-state title and submit MV-1
- Get emissions inspection if in required GA county
- Transfer title within 30 days of establishing GA residency
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Georgia boat bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Georgia Boat bill of saleWhy Buyers Want Documentation Across State Lines
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
$60–$85 mobile notary
Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.
Source: Thumbtack / NNA
Frequently asked questions
Why does the out-of-state sale scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a out-of-state sale transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the out-of-state sale transaction.
What are the Georgia fees for a out-of-state sale boat transfer?
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 for most transfers.
What boat makes are most commonly sold in Georgia?
The most popular boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$75,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a out-of-state sale boat sale in Georgia?
Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013
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