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All powered boats (motorboats) are required to be registered when used.

The following boats are required to be titled (whether purchased, transferred, or sold) must be titled when they are:

  • Powered by an inboard motor, including personal watercraft, 1997 model year or newer.

  • Powered by an outboard motor, 14 feet or longer, 1997 model year or newer.

  • Currently titled in Pennsylvania.

  • Currently titled in another state when Pennsylvania becomes the state of primary use.

Once a boat is title, it must remain titled by all future owners. Boats not required to be titled, may be voluntarily titled.

 

If the boat was never registered or titled in PA, acceptable proof of ownership includes (ONE of) the following:

  • Title or Registration from another state

  • Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) - required for all new boats

Also required:

  • Bill of sale or invoice with names and addresses of the seller and purchaser and the legal owner, if different from seller

  • The location, date of sale, description of the boat, and hull identification number (HIN) for boats built after 1972, or other serial number for boats built in 1972 or before

If the boat was previously registered and/or titled acceptable proof of ownership (ONE of the below):

  • If the boat was titled, a properly signed title is required

  • If the boat was registered only ONE of the below:

    • Registration card, signed by last registered owner

    • Bill of sale, signed by the last registered owner

    • Note: A bill of sale or registration card/title, signed by the last registered owner, may be substituted for the seller's information and the seller's signature on the application. 

You will be issued a 60-day temporary registration allowing use of the boat while the permanent registration is being processed. A boat registration card and set of validation decals will be mailed to you.

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