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Savannah, Georgia Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a personal watercraft in Savannah, Georgia. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Savannah, GeorgiaPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #178

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Personal Watercraft VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Chatham County

DMV / Title Office

GA DDS – Savannah Customer Service Center

Address

7610 White Bluff Rd, Savannah, GA 31406

Phone

(678) 413-8400

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–6:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$18.00

Sales Tax Rate

7.00%

Base Registration Fee

$20.00

Georgia TAVT at 7.0% of fair market value

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Georgia does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Savannah Transfer Checklist

  • TAVT of 7.0% on fair market value replaces annual ad valorem tax
  • Title transfer at the Chatham County Tag Office within 30 days
  • Seller must sign title assignment and provide odometer reading
  • Both parties should retain a copy of the bill of sale

County Information — Chatham County

County Clerk / Recorder

Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court

Phone

(912) 652-7200

Personal Watercraft market data and safety information

The most common personal watercraft makes in private-party sales are Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki. Average private-party personal watercraft prices range from $3,000–$20,000. Personal watercrafts average 1.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Steering, Hull.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used personal watercraft

Before completing a personal watercraft bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect hull for spider cracks and stress fractures around mounting points
  • Check wear ring and impeller clearance — determines acceleration and top speed
  • Verify HIN (Hull Identification Number) matches registration
  • Test electronic throttle and reverse operation

Personal Watercraft insurance and depreciation in Georgia

PWC insurance averages $200–$500/year. Many marinas require proof of insurance. PWC depreciate 40–50% in the first 3 years. Three-seat models retain value better than single-seat. Peak season for private personal watercraft sales is april–may before summer water season, with an average of 30 days on market.

Personal Watercraft registration and titling

Personal Watercrafts are classified as "Personal watercraft (state-registered, minimum operator age varies by state)" for registration purposes. PWC are classified by engine hours. Average recreational lifespan is 300–500 hours. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to personal watercrafts.

Personal Watercraft sales in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah residents completing a personal watercraft bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Georgia state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6.6%, 6.6% tavt (title ad valorem tax) on fair market value. The most popular personal watercraft makes in Georgia include Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki.

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.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

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

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Savannah in, and which office handles title transfers?

Savannah is in Chatham County. Title transfers are handled by the GA DDS – Savannah Customer Service Center at 7610 White Bluff Rd, Savannah, GA 31406. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. Phone: (678) 413-8400.

What is the sales tax rate on a personal watercraft sale in Savannah?

The combined rate is 7.00%. Georgia TAVT at 7.0% of fair market value.

Is notarization required for a personal watercraft bill of sale in Savannah?

No. Georgia does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

What fees should I expect when transferring a personal watercraft title in Savannah?

Title transfer fee: $18.00. Base registration fee: $20.00. Sales tax at 7.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.