Lifetime Licenses

Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses—for people under 65—are only available for purchase by downloading a Lifetime Sportsman's License application, filling it out and mailing it along with the required documents to the address on the form, or you can purchase in select officesLifetime Sportsman’s Licenses are not available for purchase online or at retail agents. Once legally obtained, Georgia lifetime licenses remain valid even if a person later becomes a resident of another state. Lifetime licenses are full-privilege sportsman's licenses, and include all state paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges (see below for additional no-cost state licenses that may be required).

Georgia residents 65 and older can get a Senior Lifetime Sportsman’s license online, by telephone 1-800-366-2661, or from license agent locations. If you were born before July 1, 1952, you are eligible to get a lifetime license at no cost. If you were born after June 30, 1952 your lifetime license is at a greatly discounted rate of $35–$70.

Lifetime licenses include the privileges available from these licenses:

  • Hunting
  • Big Game
  • Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
  • Quota Alligator Harvest Permit—if you are drawn for an alligator through the quota system
  • Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Stamp
  • Salt and Freshwater Fishing
  • Mountain Trout

Remaining licenses or permits that may be needed and must be renewed annually:

  • The free annual state deer and turkey harvest record
  • The free annual Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Stamp
  • The free annual state SIP for salt water fishing
  • The Federal Duck Stamp ($25) (federally required)

Trapping or other commercial licenses are not included.


Availability

Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses are available to:

  • Residents of Georgia—any person with continuous domicile within Georgia for a minimum of 3 consecutive months immediately prior to procuring this license. 
  • Non-residents less than 2 years of age, or grandchildren less than 16 years of age of current resident Lifetime License holders (does not include free Senior Lifetime License holders).

Lifetime Licenses are not available to:

  • Military personnel's dependents that are not residents of Georgia may purchase resident short term or resident annual but not lifetime licenses.
  • Non-resident landowners owning land in Georgia are not residents and must obtain a nonresident license to hunt or fish. A person may not be a resident of two states.

Adult Lifetime License

  • Must provide a copy of either a valid GA Driver's License* or valid Georgia ID Card* 
  • Such person may not be a resident of any other state
  • Copy of Hunter Education Card: if obtained. Include State where Hunter Ed was acquired

Infant Lifetime Licenses (ages 0–2)

  • Require a copy of the child’s birth certificate 
  • Parent’s ID

Resident Youth Lifetime License (ages 2–16)

  • Require a copy of the child’s birth certificate 
  • A parent’s/legal guardian Georgia Driver’s License* or Georgia ID Card* to show residency
  • Copy of Hunter Education Card: if obtained. Include State where Hunter Ed was acquired

Older Adult Lifetime License

  • Must provide a copy of either a valid GA Driver's License* or valid Georgia ID Card* 
  • Such person may not be a resident of any other state
  • Copy of Hunter Education Card: if obtained. Include State where Hunter Ed was acquired

Senior Discount Lifetime License

  • Must provide a copy of either a valid GA Driver's License* or valid Georgia ID Card* 
  • Such person may not be a resident of any other state
  • Copy of Hunter Education Card: if obtained. Include State where Hunter Ed was acquired

Senior (age 65+):

  • Copy of Picture ID (choose one): Current GA Driver’s License* or Georgia ID Card* 

Military and Veterans Lifetime License (Honorably Discharged Only):

  • Copy of Picture ID (choose one): Current GA Driver’s License* or Georgia ID Card* 
  • Copy of DD 214: providing evidence that the applicant served more than 90 days of federal active duty military service and was honorably discharged 
  • Copy of Hunter Education Card: if obtained; only number required if age 26 or older and born on/after 01/01/1961. Include the state where Hunter Education was acquired

Non-Resident Grandchild Lifetime License (ages 2–16):

  • Require a copy of the child’s birth certificate 
  • Copy of Hunter Education Card: if obtained. Include State where Hunter Ed was acquired
  • Notarized Certification of relationship of Lifetime License holder and Grandchild
  • Copy of Grandparent’s Picture ID (choose one): GA Driver’s License* or Georgia ID Card*

*Must be issued by Department of Driver Services, must be current, and not including a GA Driver's License or Georgia ID Card issued pursuant to O.C.G.A. §40-5-21.1—temporary license.