Introduction
The Historic Preservation Division nominates eligible properties in Georgia to the National Register (NR) so they can receive preservation benefits and incentives. Being listed in the NR provides formal recognition of a property's historical, architectural, or archaeological significance based on national standards. NR designation identifies significant historic properties that can be taken into account in a broad range of preservation and development activities. It also insures that these properties will be considered in the planning of state or federally assisted projects. NR listing does not place obligations on private property owners, nor does it place restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of private property.  

Read the National Register program fact sheet.

Benefits of listing properties in the National Register
Properties listed in the National Register may qualify for specific preservation benefits and incentives, including:
-state and federal preservation grants for planning and rehabilitation
-federal investment tax credits
-preservation easements to nonprofit organizations
-local property tax abatements
-fire and life safety code compliance alternatives
-reviewing permits for surface mining

What's the difference between a National Register Historic District and a Local Historic District?

A National Historic Landmark is the nation's highest honor of recognition for historic properties and fewer than 2,500 properties in the country are designated National Historic Landmarks.  More information about the NHL designation can be found on the National Park Service's Web site at  http://www.nps.gov/history/nhl/  A list of Georgia's NHL's is available at
http://www.nps.gov/history/nhl/designations/Lists/GA01.pdf

The Save America's Treasures grant guidelines and application instructions state that historic properties must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance in order to be eligible for funding.  Historic properties not meeting this criterion will receive no further consideration.  Each property listed in the National Register is determined to have a specific level of significancelocal, state, or national significance.  Most properties listed in the National Register are listed at the local or state level of significance.  Very few are listed at the national level of significance. 
Guidelines for Documenting a Historic Property to a National Level of Signifigance for Save America's Treasures Grant

Georgia Register of Historic Places
The Georgia Register uses the same criteria and documentation procedures as the National Register of Historic Places. Properties listed in the National Register are automatically listed in the Georgia Register. Conversely, properties in the Georgia Register are not included in the National Register unless they are separately nominated.  The Georgia Register is the state designation referenced by state laws and regulations regarding state grants, property tax abatements, the Georgia Environmental Policy Act, the State-owned Historic Properties Act, and other state preservation and environmental programs.  

Read the Georgia Register program fact sheet.

Visit the National Register of Historic Places Web page at http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/index.htm to:

• find publications
• search listings in their online database
• view sample nominations
• get answers to Frequently Asked Questions
• and more

To be eligible for listing in the National Register, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. 
These criteria require that a property:
-be old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and that it still look much the way it was in the past, and
-be associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past; or
-be associated with the lives of people who were important in the past; or
-be significant in the areas of architectural history, landscape history, or engineering; or
-have the potential to yield information through archaeological investigation that would answer questions about our past.
Certain kinds of properties, such as moved or reconstructed buildings, are generally not eligible for National Register listing; exceptions are made if these properties meet special criteria.

How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation - http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb15