Pennsylvania boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Pennsylvania. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other
resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state. You will also find an extensive listing of general
purpose boat and trailer registration forms on our Forms
page.
Please visit our
State page for additional
articles and information about registering or titling boats, trailers,
and outboard motors.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
Registration Statistics
There are
approximately 344,000 boats registered in Pennsylvania.
Registration Numbering
The boat
registration number prefix for Pennsylvania is "PA". Although
state numbers are assigned to registered or titled boats, they should not
be displayed on Coast Guard documented vessels.
Title Requirements
Pennsylvania boat titling is required on power-driven boats with a model year
of 1997 or newer, except boats less than 14 feet in length that
are powered by an outboard motor. Titling is optional on all
other boats. Coast Guard documented boats are excluded from
titling.
Registration Requirements
Pennsylvania boat registration is required on boats powered by a gasoline,
diesel or electric motors, and boats such as sailboats that use
gasoline, diesel or electric motors for auxiliary power. Coast
Guard documented boats are subject to registration. Registration
certificates must be renewed every two years.
State Tax Requirements
Sales tax
applies to boat transactions and varies by county.
Loan Perfection
Security
interests on non-documented boats which are state titled must be
recorded on the state title records. On
Coast Guard documented vessels, a preferred mortgage must be
recorded on the vessel's abstract of title. A UCC financing
statement must be filed if the boat is neither titled or
documented.
Registration Agency
The
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission administers titling and
registration for boats.
Registration Records
Pennsylvania
maintains inactive boat records for five years. Information and
forms for ordering record print-outs can be found in our
Boat Registration Kit for this state.
Ownership Designations
Co-owners may
indicate either "Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship" or
"Tenants in Common" when applying for a boat title or
registration.
Residency Requirements
Non-residents
may obtain title and registration certificates if the boat is
located within the State of Pennsylvania.
Reporting Requirements
Transfers of
ownership, abandonments, destructions, and thefts must be
reported within 15 days.
Abandoned Boats
Pennsylvania
has a procedure for registering and titling abandoned boats.
Hull Inspection
The boat must
be inspected by a Pennsylvania law enforcement official if there
is a discrepancy with the hull identification number.
Outboard Motors
Pennsylvania
does not issue registrations or titles for outboard motors.
However, such information can
be listed on the boat registration or title application.
Notary Regulations
Pennsylvania notaries are commissioned for 4 years and must post a $10,000
bond Notaries are required to use a rubber stamp
seal for all notary acts on paper. An
embosser can be used as an option in addition to the rubber
stamp seal.
Visitation
Period
A visitation
period of 60 days is allowed for boats that are Coast Guard
documented, foreign titled, or registered in another state.
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