Qualifying watercraft vessels must be registered with the State of Georgia. Kayaks with motors are considered “qualifying vessels”. 

All mechanically-propelled vessels, including kayaks with motors used on "waters of this state” must be registered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Boat owners can register a new or used vessel that has never been registered in Georgia, renew their existing registration, or transfer registration to a new owner.

How Do I Register a Kayak?

Gather What You'll Need

• Valid driver’s license or other form of identification
• Proof of vessel ownership, such as a bill of sale, and MSO document. 
• A signed Georgia vessel registration application
• Method of payment.

Registration fees may vary depending on vessel specifications and other factors. See list of current vessel registration fees.

Register Online

1. Visit the DNR Go Outdoors Online Vessel System. https://vessel.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/Vessel/CustomerLookup.aspx
2. Log in or create a new account.
3. Follow the prompts to register a new vessel or renew your registration.

Register by Phone

Call 1-800-366-2661 to speak to a DNR representative about your boat registration.

Register by Mail

Mail your application to:

Next Steps

• Depending on your situation, it may take up to four to six weeks to receive your registration.
• You will receive a registration card and two decals. A decal must be adhered to each side of your boat and the registration card must be kept on the boat.
• You must renew your registration every 3 years.

Other Requirements

Registration Card

This certificate (pocket-sized plastic card) must be onboard and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the boat or PWC is operated.

Registration Number

The registration number and validation decal must be displayed as follows:

• Number must be painted, decaled or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high block letters
• Numbers color must contrast with its background
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: "GA 3717 ZW" or "GA-3717-ZW"
• No other numbers may be displayed
• Decals must be displayed on each side of the bow, before the prefix letters of the registration number

Navigation Lights for Powerboats

Power driven vessels (including motorized kayaks) underway must exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights and a stern light. Vessels less than 12 meters in length may exhibit an all around white light and side lights.

Sidelights 

Colored lights - red on port and green on starboard - showing an unbroken arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees, from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side. 

Combination lights

Sidelights may be combined in a single fixture carried at the centerline of the vessel.

Stern light 

A white light showing over an unbroken arc of the horizon of 135 degrees, centered on dead astern.

Other Facts About Registering Your Boat Or PWC

• If a boat owner changes address, he or she must notify the DNR Boat Registration Office by mail or phone within 15 days of change.
• If you abandon or destroy your boat, you must report it to the DNR Boat Registration Office within 15 days and surrender your Certificate of Boat Registration.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Boat Registration, you may obtain a duplicate online, by phone or mail. 
• Boats bearing valid registration from another state need not be registered in Georgia unless they are used in Georgia for more than 60 consecutive days.
• A recreational boat, owned by a U. S. citizen, may (at the option of the owner) apply for a U.S. Coast Guard's "Certificate of Documentation" if it weighs 5 or more net tons. Call the U.S. Coast Guard Documentation Center at 1-800-799-8362 for more information.