Methods and apparatuses for reuse registration data in image guided surgery. One embodiment includes: receiving input data to register image data with a patient; generating registration data based on the input data; and recording the registration data. Another embodiment includes: performing a search for registration data for registering image data with a patient in an image guided process; response to a determination to perform registration after the search, receiving input data to register the image data with the patient, generating registration data based on the input data, and recording the registration data; and response to a determination to use the registration data found in the search, using the registration data found in the search in the image guided process.