<PAGE>

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2000.

                                              Registration No. 333 - ___________


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                          GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


           Georgia                                         93-0432081
(State or other jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

                           133 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30303
                                 (404) 652-4000
                   (Address, including zip code and telephone
                         number, including area code of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)


                Fort James Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive Plan
       Fort Howard Corporation Management Equity Participation Agreement
                       Fort Howard Management Equity Plan
               Fort Howard Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
           James River Corporation of Virginia 1987 Stock Option Plan
         Fort James Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors

                           (Full Title of the Plans)

                            Kenneth F. Khoury, Esq.
              Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary
                          Georgia-Pacific Corporation
                           133 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30303
                                 (404) 652-4000
                (Name, address, including zip code and telephone
               number, including area code of agent for service)

<PAGE>

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of                     Amount to be       Proposed          Proposed          Amount of
Securities to                registered         maximum           maximum           registration fee
be registered                                   offering price    aggregate
                                                per share (1)     offering price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                <C>               <C>              <C>
Georgia-Pacific Group
 Common Stock, par value      10,347,425          $25.56          $264,480,183         $69,822.77
 $ 0.80                         Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
     pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act on the average high and low
     prices per share of Georgia-Pacific Corporation - Georgia-Pacific Group
     Common Stock ("GP Group Stock") as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
     on November 30, 2000.


                                     PART I
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1.    Plan Information.

     Not required to be filed.

Item 2.    Registration Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.

     Not required to be filed.


                                    PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


Item 3.    Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     Georgia-Pacific Corporation (the "Corporation") hereby incorporates by
reference into this Registration Statement the documents listed below which have
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):

     (a)  The Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          January 1, 2000;

     (b)  The Corporation's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 23, 2000;
          April 19, 2000; July 17, 2000; July 18, 2000; October 18, 2000;
          November 15, 2000; November 17, 2000; November 21, 2000; November 22,
          2000; and November 24, 2000;
<PAGE>

     (c)  The Corporation's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for quarters ended
          April 1, 2000; July 1, 2000; and September 30, 2000;

     (d)  The description of the GP Group Stock set forth in the Corporation's
          registration statements filed by the Corporation pursuant to Section
          12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including any amendment or
          report filed for purposes of updating any such description, as filed
          on October 29, 1997, November 7, 1997, and June 23, 1999; and

     (e)  All documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to
          Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934 (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective
          amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
          sold or that deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold.

     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or
in any subsequently filed document that also is, or is deemed to be,
incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4.    Description of Securities.

     Not applicable.


Item 5.    Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.

     The validity of the shares of Georgia-Pacific Group common Stock is being
passed upon by Kenneth F. Khoury, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and
Secretary of the Corporation.  Kenneth F. Khoury is an officer of, and receives
compensation from the Registrant.

Item 6.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Subsection (a) of Section 14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code
("GBCC") provides that a corporation may indemnify a director against liability
incurred (a) in a civil proceeding (1) if, in the case of conduct in such
director's capacity as a director, the conduct was in good faith and reasonably
believed by such director to be in the best interests of the corporation, and
(2) if, in all other cases, such director's conduct was at least not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation; and (b) in a criminal proceeding, if the
director had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (d) of Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC provides that a corporation may
not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of
the corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard
<PAGE>

of conduct under Section 14-2-851, or in connection with any proceeding with
respect to conduct for which such director was adjudged liable on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received by such director, whether or not
involving action in such director's capacity as a director.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, pursuant to Section 14-2-854 of the GBCC, an appropriate court may
order a corporation to indemnify a director if such court determines, in view of
all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable to indemnify the
director even if the director has not met the relevant standard of conduct set
forth Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC, failed to comply with Section 14-2-853 of
the GBCC, or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in paragraph (1) or
(2) of subsection (d) of Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC, but if the director was
adjudged so liable, the indemnification shall be limited to reasonable expenses
incurred in connection with the proceeding.

     Section 14-2-852 of the GBCC provides that, a corporation shall indemnify a
director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense
of any proceeding to which such director was a party because such director was a
director of the corporation, against reasonable expenses incurred by the
director in connection with the proceeding.

     Section 14-2-857 of the GBCC provides that a corporation may indemnify and
advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding
because such person is an officer of the corporation to the same extent as a
director.  If the officer is not a director, (or if the officer is a director
but the sole basis on which such person is made a party to the proceeding is an
act or omission solely as an officer) to such further extent as may be provided
by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of
directors, or contract except for liability arising out of conduct that
constitutes (1) appropriation, in violation of such person's duties, of any
business opportunity of the corporation, (2) acts or omissions that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (3) receipt of an
improper personal benefit.  An officer of a corporation who is not a director is
entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 14-2-852 of the GBCC and may
apply to a court under Section 14-2-854 of the GBCC for indemnification or
advances for expenses, in each case to the same extent to which a director may
be entitled to indemnification or advances for expenses under those provisions.
Finally, a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an employee or
agent who is not a director to the extent, consistent with public policy, that
may be provided by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, general or specific
action by its board of directors or contract.

     In accordance with the Corporation's restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, a director of the Corporation is not liable to the Corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or any failure to take
any action, as a director, except for liability related to (1) any appropriation
of any business opportunity of the Corporation, (2) acts or omissions that
involve intentional misconduct or a willful violation of law or (3) any
transactions from which the director received an improper personal benefit.

     In accordance with the Corporation's restated Bylaws, every person (and the
heirs and personal representatives of such person) who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in which such person
served as such at the request of the Corporation, shall be indemnified by
<PAGE>

the Corporation against any and all liability and expenses (including, without
limitation, counsel fees and disbursements, and amounts of judgments, fines or
penalties against, or amounts paid in settlement by, a director, officer,
employee or agent) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with or resulting from any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative or in
connection with any appeal relating thereto, in which such person may become
involved, as a party or otherwise, or with which such person may be threatened,
by reason of being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or by reason of any action taken or omitted by such person in
such person's capacity as such director, officer, employee or agent whether or
not such person continues to be such at the time such liability or expense shall
have been incurred.

     Every person (and the heirs and personal representatives of such person),
to the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise
with respect to any claim, action, matter, suit or proceeding is entitled to
indemnification, as of right, for expenses (including attorney's fees) actually
and reasonable incurred by such person in connection therewith.  Except as
provided in the preceding sentence, upon receipt of a claim for indemnification
under the Corporation's restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall, if the claim is made by a director or officer of the
Corporation, determine whether the claimant met the applicable standard of
conduct as set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) below.  If such determination has
not been made within 90 days after the claim is asserted, the claimant shall
have the right to require that the determination be submitted to the
shareholders at the next regular meeting of shareholders by vote of a majority
of the shares entitled to vote thereon.  If a claim is made by a person who is
not a director or officer of the Corporation, the appropriate officers of the
Corporation shall determine, subject to applicable law, the manner in which
there shall be made the determination as to whether the claimant met the
applicable standard of conduct as set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) below.  In
the case of each claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall pay the claim
to the extent the determination is favorable to the person making the claim.

     (A)  In the case of a claim, action, suit or proceeding other than by or in
          the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, the
          director, officer, employee or agent must have acted in a manner
          reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
          the Corporation, and, in addition, in any criminal action or
          proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was
          unlawful. In addition, any director seeking indemnification must not
          have been adjudged liable on the basis that any personal benefit was
          received by such person.

     (B)  In the case of a claim, action, suit or proceeding by or in the right
          of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, the director,
          officer, employee or agent must have acted in good faith in a manner
          reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
          the Corporation; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be
          made (1) with regard to any claim, issue or matter as to which such
          director, officer, employee or agent shall have been adjudged to be
          liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the court
          in which such action or suit was brought shall determine that, despite
          the adjudication of liability
<PAGE>

          but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such director,
          officer, employee or agent is fairly and reasonably entitled to
          indemnity for such expenses that the court shall deem proper, or (2)
          for amounts paid, or expenses incurred, in connection with the defense
          or settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, unless a
          court of competent jurisdiction has approved indemnification with
          regard to such amounts or expenses.

     Pursuant to the Corporation's restated Bylaws, expenses incurred by any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation
with respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described
in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph shall be advanced by the
Corporation prior to the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it shall be
ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
Indemnification and advancement of expenses pursuant to the Corporation's
restated Bylaws is not exclusive of any rights to which any such director,
officer, employee or other person may otherwise be entitled by contract or by
law.

     The Corporation carries insurance policies insuring its liability to
officers and directors under the foregoing indemnity and insuring its officers
and directors against liability incurred in their capacity as such.

Item 7.    Exemption from Registration Claimed.

     Not applicable.

Item 8.    Exhibits.

     Exhibit No.      Description

     3.1(i)           Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, restated as of
                      December 16, 1997 (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
                      Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the
                      Commission on December 18, 1997, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference thereto).

     3.1(ii)          Registrant's Articles of Amendment to Restated Articles of
                      Incorporation (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation's
                      Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                      January 1, 2000, and incorporated herein by this reference
                      thereto).

     3.2              Registrant's By-laws, as amended to date (Filed as Exhibit
                      3.2 to the Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-
                      8 dated November 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by this
                      reference).

     4.1(i)           Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1997, between
                      Georgia-Pacific Corporation and First Chicago Trust
                      Company of New York ("GP Rights Agreement"), with form of
                      G-P Rights Certificate attached as
<PAGE>

                      Exhibit A-1, Series B Preferred Stock Designation attached
                      as Exhibit B-1 and Series C Preferred Stock Designation
                      attached as Exhibit B-2 (Filed as Exhibit 4.3(ii) to the
                      Corporation's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
                      Form S-4 dated October 29, 1997, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     4.1(ii)          Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 8, 1999, to GP
                      Rights Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 4.3(ii) to the
                      Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                      year ended January 1, 2000, and incorporated herein by
                      this reference).

     5                Opinion of Kenneth F. Khoury.

     23.1             Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

     23.2             Consent of Kenneth F. Khoury (included in Exhibit 5).

     24               Powers of Attorney.

     99.1(i)          Fort James Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as
                      Exhibit 99.1 to Fort James Corporation's Registration
                      Statement on Form S-8 dated April 3, 1996, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.1(ii)         Amendment to Fort James Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive
                      Plan (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Fort James Corporation's
                      Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated September 5,
                      1997, and incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.2(i)          Fort Howard Corporation Management Equity Participation
                      Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment No. 2 to
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Registration Statement on Form
                      S-1 dated October 25, 1988, and incorporated herein by
                      this reference).

     99.2(ii)         Letter Agreement dated June 27, 1990 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.V with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.2(iii)        Letter Agreement dated July 31, 1990 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.W with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.2(iv)         Letter Agreement dated February 7, 1991 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation
<PAGE>

                      Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.GG with the Fort Howard
                      Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                      ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein by this
                      reference).

     99.2(v)          Letter Agreement dated February 7, 1991 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.HH with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.2(vi)         Letter Agreement dated December 28, 1993 modifying the
                      Fort Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management
                      Equity Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 4.3(f)
                      with the Fort Howard Corporation's Registration Statement
                      on Form S-8 dated September 29, 1995, and incorporated
                      herein by this reference).

     99.2(vii)        Letter Agreement dated March 1, 1995 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.8(F) with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.3(i)          Fort Howard Corporation Management Equity Plan (Filed as
                      Exhibit 10.H with the Fort Howard Corporation's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991,
                      and incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.3(ii)         Amendment dated December 28, 1993 to the Fort Howard
                      Corporation Management Equity Plan (Filed as Exhibit
                      10.9(A) with the Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report
                      on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.3(iii)        Amendment dated March 1, 1995 to the Fort Howard
                      Corporation Management Equity Plan (Filed as Exhibit
                      10.9(B) with the Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report
                      on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.4(i)          Fort Howard Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (Filed
                      as Exhibit 10.15 with the Fort Howard Corporation's No. 1
                      to Form S-1 dated February 8, 1995, and incorporated
                      herein by this reference).

     99.4(ii)         Amendment No. 1 to Fort Howard Corporation 1995 Stock
                      Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 4.4 with the Fort Howard
                      Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated
                      February 3, 1997, and incorporated herein by this
                      reference).

     99.5             James River Corporation of Virginia 1987 Stock Option Plan
                      (Filed as Exhibit 10(j) to James River Corporation's
                      Annual Report on Form 10-K
<PAGE>

                      for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1993, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.6             Fort James Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside
                      Directors.

Item 9.    Undertakings.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

          (i)   To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
                Securities Act;

          (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
                the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most
                recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
                in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                information set forth in this Registration Statement;

          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
                distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration
                Statement or any material change to such information in this
                Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
this offer.

     (4)  That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
<PAGE>

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     The Registrant.  Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable ground to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 7th
day of December, 2000.

                                        GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION


                                        By: /s/ Danny W. Huff
                                           -----------------------------------
                                            Danny W. Huff
                                            Executive Vice President - Finance
                                            And Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated below on this 7th day of December, 2000.

Signature                       Title

/s/ A. D. Correll               Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
------------------------        President (Principal Executive Officer)
A.D. Correll

/s/ Danny W. Huff               Executive Vice President - Finance and Chief
------------------------        Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Danny W. Huff

/s/ James E. Terrell            Vice-President and Controller
------------------------        (Principal Accounting Officer)
James E. Terrell

           *                    Director
------------------------
James S. Balloun

                                Director
------------------------
Barbara L. Bowles

           *                    Director
------------------------
Robert Carswell

                                Director
------------------------
Worley H. Clark, Jr.

                                Director
------------------------
Gary P. Coughlan

           *                    Director
------------------------
Jane Evans

           *                    Director
------------------------
Donald V. Fites

           *                    Director
------------------------
Harvey C. Fruehauf, Jr.

           *                    Director
------------------------
Richard V. Giordano

           *                    Director
------------------------
David R. Goode
<PAGE>

           *                    Director
------------------------
M. Douglas Ivester

           *                    Director
------------------------
James P. Kelly

           *                    Director
------------------------
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.

           *                    Director
------------------------
James B. Williams

/s/ Kenneth F. Khoury
------------------------
*Kenneth F. Khoury
As Attorney-in-Fact for
the Directors by whose
names an asterisk
appears.
<PAGE>

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.    Sequentially Number Description

5              Opinion of Kenneth F. Khoury, Esq.

23.1           Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

23.2           Consent of Kenneth F. Khoury, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5)

24             Powers of Attorney.

99.6           Fort James Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GEORGIA PACIFIC CORP", "cik": "0000041077", "assigned-sic": "2400", "irs-number": "930432081", "state-of-incorporation": "GA", "fiscal-year-end": "0101"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-51442", "film-number": "785183"}, "business-address": {"street1": "133 PEACHTREE ST NE", "street2": "41ST FL", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30303", "phone": "4045214000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "133 PEACHTREE ST NE", "street2": "41ST FL", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30303"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2000.

                                              Registration No. 333 - ___________

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                          GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

           Georgia                                         93-0432081
(State or other jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

                           133 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30303
                                 (404) 652-4000
                   (Address, including zip code and telephone
                         number, including area code of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)

                Fort James Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive Plan
       Fort Howard Corporation Management Equity Participation Agreement
                       Fort Howard Management Equity Plan
               Fort Howard Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
           James River Corporation of Virginia 1987 Stock Option Plan
         Fort James Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors

                           (Full Title of the Plans)

                            Kenneth F. Khoury, Esq.
              Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary
                          Georgia-Pacific Corporation
                           133 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                             Atlanta, Georgia 30303
                                 (404) 652-4000
                (Name, address, including zip code and telephone
               number, including area code of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of                     Amount to be       Proposed          Proposed          Amount of
Securities to                registered         maximum           maximum           registration fee
be registered                                   offering price    aggregate
                                                per share (1)     offering price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia-Pacific Group
 Common Stock, par value      10,347,425          $25.56          $264,480,183         $69,822.77
 $ 0.80                         Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
     pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act on the average high and low
     prices per share of Georgia-Pacific Corporation - Georgia-Pacific Group
     Common Stock ("GP Group Stock") as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
     on November 30, 2000.

                                     PART I
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1.    Plan Information.

     Not required to be filed.

Item 2.    Registration Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.

     Not required to be filed.

                                    PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.    Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     Georgia-Pacific Corporation (the "Corporation") hereby incorporates by
reference into this Registration Statement the documents listed below which have
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):

     (a)  The Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          January 1, 2000;

     (b)  The Corporation's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 23, 2000;
          April 19, 2000; July 17, 2000; July 18, 2000; October 18, 2000;
          November 15, 2000; November 17, 2000; November 21, 2000; November 22,
          2000; and November 24, 2000;
(c)  The Corporation's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for quarters ended
          April 1, 2000; July 1, 2000; and September 30, 2000;

     (d)  The description of the GP Group Stock set forth in the Corporation's
          registration statements filed by the Corporation pursuant to Section
          12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including any amendment or
          report filed for purposes of updating any such description, as filed
          on October 29, 1997, November 7, 1997, and June 23, 1999; and

     (e)  All documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to
          Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934 (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective
          amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
          sold or that deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold.

     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or
in any subsequently filed document that also is, or is deemed to be,
incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4.    Description of Securities.

     Not applicable.

Item 5.    Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.

     The validity of the shares of Georgia-Pacific Group common Stock is being
passed upon by Kenneth F. Khoury, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and
Secretary of the Corporation.  Kenneth F. Khoury is an officer of, and receives
compensation from the Registrant.

Item 6.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Subsection (a) of Section 14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code
("GBCC") provides that a corporation may indemnify a director against liability
incurred (a) in a civil proceeding (1) if, in the case of conduct in such
director's capacity as a director, the conduct was in good faith and reasonably
believed by such director to be in the best interests of the corporation, and
(2) if, in all other cases, such director's conduct was at least not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation; and (b) in a criminal proceeding, if the
director had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (d) of Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC provides that a corporation may
not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of
the corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard
of conduct under Section 14-2-851, or in connection with any proceeding with
respect to conduct for which such director was adjudged liable on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received by such director, whether or not
involving action in such director's capacity as a director.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, pursuant to Section 14-2-854 of the GBCC, an appropriate court may
order a corporation to indemnify a director if such court determines, in view of
all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable to indemnify the
director even if the director has not met the relevant standard of conduct set
forth Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC, failed to comply with Section 14-2-853 of
the GBCC, or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in paragraph (1) or
(2) of subsection (d) of Section 14-2-851 of the GBCC, but if the director was
adjudged so liable, the indemnification shall be limited to reasonable expenses
incurred in connection with the proceeding.

     Section 14-2-852 of the GBCC provides that, a corporation shall indemnify a
director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense
of any proceeding to which such director was a party because such director was a
director of the corporation, against reasonable expenses incurred by the
director in connection with the proceeding.

     Section 14-2-857 of the GBCC provides that a corporation may indemnify and
advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding
because such person is an officer of the corporation to the same extent as a
director.  If the officer is not a director, (or if the officer is a director
but the sole basis on which such person is made a party to the proceeding is an
act or omission solely as an officer) to such further extent as may be provided
by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of
directors, or contract except for liability arising out of conduct that
constitutes (1) appropriation, in violation of such person's duties, of any
business opportunity of the corporation, (2) acts or omissions that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (3) receipt of an
improper personal benefit.  An officer of a corporation who is not a director is
entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 14-2-852 of the GBCC and may
apply to a court under Section 14-2-854 of the GBCC for indemnification or
advances for expenses, in each case to the same extent to which a director may
be entitled to indemnification or advances for expenses under those provisions.
Finally, a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an employee or
agent who is not a director to the extent, consistent with public policy, that
may be provided by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, general or specific
action by its board of directors or contract.

     In accordance with the Corporation's restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, a director of the Corporation is not liable to the Corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or any failure to take
any action, as a director, except for liability related to (1) any appropriation
of any business opportunity of the Corporation, (2) acts or omissions that
involve intentional misconduct or a willful violation of law or (3) any
transactions from which the director received an improper personal benefit.

     In accordance with the Corporation's restated Bylaws, every person (and the
heirs and personal representatives of such person) who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in which such person
served as such at the request of the Corporation, shall be indemnified by
the Corporation against any and all liability and expenses (including, without
limitation, counsel fees and disbursements, and amounts of judgments, fines or
penalties against, or amounts paid in settlement by, a director, officer,
employee or agent) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with or resulting from any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative or in
connection with any appeal relating thereto, in which such person may become
involved, as a party or otherwise, or with which such person may be threatened,
by reason of being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or by reason of any action taken or omitted by such person in
such person's capacity as such director, officer, employee or agent whether or
not such person continues to be such at the time such liability or expense shall
have been incurred.

     Every person (and the heirs and personal representatives of such person),
to the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise
with respect to any claim, action, matter, suit or proceeding is entitled to
indemnification, as of right, for expenses (including attorney's fees) actually
and reasonable incurred by such person in connection therewith.  Except as
provided in the preceding sentence, upon receipt of a claim for indemnification
under the Corporation's restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall, if the claim is made by a director or officer of the
Corporation, determine whether the claimant met the applicable standard of
conduct as set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) below.  If such determination has
not been made within 90 days after the claim is asserted, the claimant shall
have the right to require that the determination be submitted to the
shareholders at the next regular meeting of shareholders by vote of a majority
of the shares entitled to vote thereon.  If a claim is made by a person who is
not a director or officer of the Corporation, the appropriate officers of the
Corporation shall determine, subject to applicable law, the manner in which
there shall be made the determination as to whether the claimant met the
applicable standard of conduct as set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) below.  In
the case of each claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall pay the claim
to the extent the determination is favorable to the person making the claim.

     (A)  In the case of a claim, action, suit or proceeding other than by or in
          the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, the
          director, officer, employee or agent must have acted in a manner
          reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
          the Corporation, and, in addition, in any criminal action or
          proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was
          unlawful. In addition, any director seeking indemnification must not
          have been adjudged liable on the basis that any personal benefit was
          received by such person.

     (B)  In the case of a claim, action, suit or proceeding by or in the right
          of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, the director,
          officer, employee or agent must have acted in good faith in a manner
          reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
          the Corporation; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be
          made (1) with regard to any claim, issue or matter as to which such
          director, officer, employee or agent shall have been adjudged to be
          liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the court
          in which such action or suit was brought shall determine that, despite
          the adjudication of liability
but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such director,
          officer, employee or agent is fairly and reasonably entitled to
          indemnity for such expenses that the court shall deem proper, or (2)
          for amounts paid, or expenses incurred, in connection with the defense
          or settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, unless a
          court of competent jurisdiction has approved indemnification with
          regard to such amounts or expenses.

     Pursuant to the Corporation's restated Bylaws, expenses incurred by any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation
with respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described
in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph shall be advanced by the
Corporation prior to the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it shall be
ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
Indemnification and advancement of expenses pursuant to the Corporation's
restated Bylaws is not exclusive of any rights to which any such director,
officer, employee or other person may otherwise be entitled by contract or by
law.

     The Corporation carries insurance policies insuring its liability to
officers and directors under the foregoing indemnity and insuring its officers
and directors against liability incurred in their capacity as such.

Item 7.    Exemption from Registration Claimed.

     Not applicable.

Item 8.    Exhibits.

     Exhibit No.      Description

     3.1(i)           Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, restated as of
                      December 16, 1997 (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
                      Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the
                      Commission on December 18, 1997, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference thereto).

     3.1(ii)          Registrant's Articles of Amendment to Restated Articles of
                      Incorporation (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation's
                      Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                      January 1, 2000, and incorporated herein by this reference
                      thereto).

     3.2              Registrant's By-laws, as amended to date (Filed as Exhibit
                      3.2 to the Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-
                      8 dated November 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by this
                      reference).

     4.1(i)           Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1997, between
                      Georgia-Pacific Corporation and First Chicago Trust
                      Company of New York ("GP Rights Agreement"), with form of
                      G-P Rights Certificate attached as
Exhibit A-1, Series B Preferred Stock Designation attached
                      as Exhibit B-1 and Series C Preferred Stock Designation
                      attached as Exhibit B-2 (Filed as Exhibit 4.3(ii) to the
                      Corporation's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
                      Form S-4 dated October 29, 1997, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     4.1(ii)          Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 8, 1999, to GP
                      Rights Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 4.3(ii) to the
                      Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                      year ended January 1, 2000, and incorporated herein by
                      this reference).

     5                Opinion of Kenneth F. Khoury.

     23.1             Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

     23.2             Consent of Kenneth F. Khoury (included in Exhibit 5).

     24               Powers of Attorney.

     99.1(i)          Fort James Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as
                      Exhibit 99.1 to Fort James Corporation's Registration
                      Statement on Form S-8 dated April 3, 1996, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.1(ii)         Amendment to Fort James Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive
                      Plan (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Fort James Corporation's
                      Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated September 5,
                      1997, and incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.2(i)          Fort Howard Corporation Management Equity Participation
                      Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment No. 2 to
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Registration Statement on Form
                      S-1 dated October 25, 1988, and incorporated herein by
                      this reference).

     99.2(ii)         Letter Agreement dated June 27, 1990 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.V with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.2(iii)        Letter Agreement dated July 31, 1990 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.W with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.2(iv)         Letter Agreement dated February 7, 1991 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation
Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.GG with the Fort Howard
                      Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                      ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein by this
                      reference).

     99.2(v)          Letter Agreement dated February 7, 1991 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.HH with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.2(vi)         Letter Agreement dated December 28, 1993 modifying the
                      Fort Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management
                      Equity Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 4.3(f)
                      with the Fort Howard Corporation's Registration Statement
                      on Form S-8 dated September 29, 1995, and incorporated
                      herein by this reference).

     99.2(vii)        Letter Agreement dated March 1, 1995 modifying the Fort
                      Howard Corporation Amended and Restated Management Equity
                      Participation Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.8(F) with the
                      Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                      the year ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein
                      by this reference).

     99.3(i)          Fort Howard Corporation Management Equity Plan (Filed as
                      Exhibit 10.H with the Fort Howard Corporation's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991,
                      and incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.3(ii)         Amendment dated December 28, 1993 to the Fort Howard
                      Corporation Management Equity Plan (Filed as Exhibit
                      10.9(A) with the Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report
                      on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.3(iii)        Amendment dated March 1, 1995 to the Fort Howard
                      Corporation Management Equity Plan (Filed as Exhibit
                      10.9(B) with the Fort Howard Corporation's Annual Report
                      on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.4(i)          Fort Howard Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (Filed
                      as Exhibit 10.15 with the Fort Howard Corporation's No. 1
                      to Form S-1 dated February 8, 1995, and incorporated
                      herein by this reference).

     99.4(ii)         Amendment No. 1 to Fort Howard Corporation 1995 Stock
                      Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 4.4 with the Fort Howard
                      Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated
                      February 3, 1997, and incorporated herein by this
                      reference).

     99.5             James River Corporation of Virginia 1987 Stock Option Plan
                      (Filed as Exhibit 10(j) to James River Corporation's
                      Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1993, and
                      incorporated herein by this reference).

     99.6             Fort James Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside
                      Directors.

Item 9.    Undertakings.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

          (i)   To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
                Securities Act;

          (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
                the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most
                recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
                in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                information set forth in this Registration Statement;

          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
                distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration
                Statement or any material change to such information in this
                Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
this offer.

     (4)  That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES

     The Registrant.  Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable ground to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 7th
day of December, 2000.

                                        GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ Danny W. Huff
                                           -----------------------------------
                                            Danny W. Huff
                                            Executive Vice President - Finance
                                            And Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated below on this 7th day of December, 2000.

Signature                       Title

/s/ A. D. Correll               Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
------------------------        President (Principal Executive Officer)
A.D. Correll

/s/ Danny W. Huff               Executive Vice President - Finance and Chief
------------------------        Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Danny W. Huff

/s/ James E. Terrell            Vice-President and Controller
------------------------        (Principal Accounting Officer)
James E. Terrell

           *                    Director
------------------------
James S. Balloun

                                Director
------------------------
Barbara L. Bowles

           *                    Director
------------------------
Robert Carswell

                                Director
------------------------
Worley H. Clark, Jr.

                                Director
------------------------
Gary P. Coughlan

           *                    Director
------------------------
Jane Evans

           *                    Director
------------------------
Donald V. Fites

           *                    Director
------------------------
Harvey C. Fruehauf, Jr.

           *                    Director
------------------------
Richard V. Giordano

           *                    Director
------------------------
David R. Goode
*                    Director
------------------------
M. Douglas Ivester

           *                    Director
------------------------
James P. Kelly

           *                    Director
------------------------
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.

           *                    Director
------------------------
James B. Williams

/s/ Kenneth F. Khoury
------------------------
*Kenneth F. Khoury
As Attorney-in-Fact for
the Directors by whose
names an asterisk
appears.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.    Sequentially Number Description

5              Opinion of Kenneth F. Khoury, Esq.

23.1           Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

23.2           Consent of Kenneth F. Khoury, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5)

24             Powers of Attorney.

99.6           Fort James Corporation Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors