How To Register A Used Boat Without Bill Of Sale

BOAT REGISTRATION & TITLING FAQs

1. Do I need to annals or title my gunkhole?

REGISTRATION

Boats that must exist registered:

Whatever boat powered by a gasoline, diesel or electric motor.
Vessels documented by the U.Due south. Coast Baby-sit for recreational purposes. Documented vessels are large pleasure boats, such equally yachts.
Boats such as sailboats that use gasoline, diesel or electric motors for auxiliary power.

Gunkhole - the Commission defines a gunkhole every bit: Every description of watercraft constructed or sold for the primary purpose of being used as a means of transportation on the water. The term does not include:

Surfboards and other similar nonpowered contrivances used primarily equally pond aids.
Commercial craft subject to Federal manning and inspection requirements.

Become to our Registration/Titling page to find out how to register or championship a gunkhole.

UNPOWERED BOATS

Unpowered boats are boats without motors such equally certain kayaks, canoes, rowboats, sailboats, rafts or inflatable boats. Unpowered boats are not required to be registered – unless used at a Fish & Boat Commission admission area or lake, or at Pennsylvania land parks and state forests; or required by the possessor.

Committee admission areas
DCNR listing of PA state parks
Register or title a boat in PA

Some other option for unpowered boats (only) is a Use (Gunkhole Launch) Permit from the Fish & Gunkhole Commission, or a Launch or Mooring Permit from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Land Parks.

Permits tin can as well be purchased at huntfish.pa.gov, our secure e-commerce site.

TITLING

Whatever gunkhole purchased, transferred or sold, must exist titled if the gunkhole is:

Powered by an inboard motor, including personal watercraft, 1997 model year or newer.
Powered by an outboard motor, 14 feet or longer, 1997 model twelvemonth or newer.
Currently titled in Pennsylvania.
Currently titled in another state when Pennsylvania becomes the state of primary uses.

Once a boat is titled, information technology must remain titled by all hereafter owners.

Any boat can be voluntarily titled. Boat titling assures the buyer of a boat that the seller has clear ownership of a boat offered for auction. Some lenders won't finance a boat without a title, so securing a loan to purchase a boat may exist easier if the gunkhole is titled. Titling is likewise a deterrent to gunkhole theft. Gunkhole dealers and other purchasers are more certain that someone offering a boat for sale has the legal right to practise so.

2. What is the deviation between a registration and title?

A boat registration is similar to a car registration. A registration bill of fare is issued and must be carried on the boat every bit proof of registration. It is valid for and renewed every 2 (ii) years. Registrations expire March 31 of the 2nd year. Registering your boat allows yous to boat in all other states and Canada. A boat must exist registered in the country of principal utilise. Registration is not a secure buying document.

A gunkhole championship is similar to a car title. A boat title is a legal document proving ownership; a registration does not bear witness buying. Titles are often required by lenders to prove the seller has articulate ownership of the boat. A title needs to be purchased only one time. Boat titles are only issued by the Fish & Boat Commission.

iii. Where can I get a registration or championship?

PA boat registrations and titles are issued exclusively by the Fish and Gunkhole Committee.

In most cases, new gunkhole owners will want a Temporary Registration then they tin can use their boats while registration documents are processed. Temporary registrations are issued by approved Boat Registration Agents, county treasurers and Commission region offices. To find locations, consult our online listing, or call toll-complimentary: 866-262-8734.

Once there, you must complete an Application for Boat Registration/Championship, REV-336. This course and other registration and titling forms are available at many marine dealers, canton treasurer offices and Committee regional offices. Most forms are too bachelor online or you can view Commission region office locations.

4. Tin can I use my boat while I'm waiting for my registration to exist processed?

In most cases, new boat owners will want a temporary registration so they can employ the boat while the application is candy. Only approved boat registration agents can consequence a temporary registration.

5. How much does it price?

REGISTRATION FEES

Fees cover a 2-year period, which expires March 31 of the 2d yr.

Unpowered Boats - 2 years

$22

Motorboats nether 16 feet

$26

Motorboats 16 feet to less than twenty feet

$39

Motorboats 20 feet and over

$52

Commercial Passenger

$fifty

Transfer of Registration Fee - same owner with a current registration buys a new gunkhole

Agent Fee(for issuing temporary registration)

TITLING FEES

Certificate of Title (new or corrected)

$15

Lien recording

Duplicate

$five

LAUNCH PERMIT FEES

Unpowered boats but.

1 twelvemonth

$13.97

2 years

$23.97

*Pricing includes $1.00 amanuensis fee and $0.97 transcation fee.

The following boats are required to register merely are exempt from registration fees:

Motorboats owned or operated by the Democracy of Pennsylvania.
Motorboats endemic by public service organizations approved by the Commission and used exclusively for training, education, water safety and other public service functions.
Motorboats endemic by political subdivisions and quasi-public organizations, such as police departments, volunteer fire departments and river rescue units, and used exclusively in the performance of their piece of work in enforcement or public safety.

6. Can I renew my registration online?

Aye. The renewal process can be completed online at huntfish.pa.gov. Subsequently completing the required fields, your boat registration will be mailed to the address that is currently on file with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (address will be displayed for confirmation). A $2 fee is assessed for each boat renewal done at huntfish.pa.gov.

New registrations and boat transfers cannot be completed at huntfish.pa.gov, these must be done past post.....download REV-336 for new gunkhole registrations and boat registration transfers.

7. What forms practise I need?

NEW REGISTRATION

Form REV-336 must be completed and signed by all parties. Proof of ownership must be provided in the form of a title from Pennsylvania or another state, or the manufacturer's certificate of origin* and a copy of the nib of sale.

* An applicant for initial registration of a boat with a retail value of less than $ii,000 that is being registered voluntarily may substitute the original receipt issued by a dealer or other retailer for the manufacturer'south certificate of origin.

REGISTRATION RENEWAL

Form PFBC-730A is mailed to boat owners several months before the electric current registration expires. Check the form carefully and correct whatever errors. Indicate the estimated gallons of gasoline used from the previous canoeing flavour. Signal any duplicates you need and return the form with the applicable fee.

Grade PFBC-730A is the automatic renewal application mailed each December. If the boat owner doesn't receive this class or the registration has been expired for several years, so course PFBC-733 is the supplemental renewal course to use.

TRANSFER OF Buying

The concluding registered possessor and applicant (new owner) must complete and sign class REV-336 to transfer ownership of the boat. A nib of sale, signed past the last registered owner selling the boat, may exist substituted for the seller's signature on form REV-336. Transferring buying of a titled gunkhole is just like transferring a car title. The titled owner must sign the dorsum of the title and have it notarized. The new owner must complete, sign and submit form REV-336 with the applicable fee..

Pennsylvania Country Sales Tax: Sales tax is half-dozen percent (6%), a local sales taxation applies to boats and related accessories purchased by residents of Allegheny and Philadelphia Counties. Allegheny County residents are subject to 1 percent local sales tax, and Philadelphia residents are subject to 2 pct local sales tax. Credit may be given for tax paid in another land.

8. What if I lose my gunkhole decals, registration card or title?

A duplicate registration card is $three; a indistinguishable title is $5. At that place is no accuse for replacement decals. Duplicate registration cards, decals and titles can be obtained merely from the Commission Licensing and Registration Department. Use form PFBC-732 for a indistinguishable registration card and/or decals and grade PFBC-T1 for a duplicate title.

9. What if I never received my boat registration and decals?

If the Committee is notified inside 90 days of issuing a registration certificate and validation decals that the intended recipient has not received them within 90 days, the Commission will effect a replacement registration certificate and a ready of replacement validation decals at no cost to the customer.

If the Committee does non receive notification within ninety days of issuing a registration document and validation decals that the intended recipient has not received them, the customer shall be required to buy a duplicate registration card at the toll of $iii and shall be issued a set of replacement validation decals at no cost.

Duplicate registration cards, decals and titles tin can be obtained only from the Commission Licensing and Registration Section. Use class PFBC-732 for a duplicate registration menu and/or decals.

10. Do I need to written report a modify of address?

Yep. You must report the following changes within 15 days to the Licensing and Registration Section using form PFBC-732.

Change of address.
Modify of ownership.
Lost, stolen, destroyed or abandoned watercraft.

xi. What is a Hull Identification Number (HIN)?

All boats built for auction since 1972 accept a Hull Identification Number (HIN) assigned by the manufacturer. The HIN is located on the outside of the transom (rear) on the starboard (right) side to a higher place the waterline. If the gunkhole is homemade or built before 1972, the Committee will assign a HIN to the boat.

Example of a Hull Identification Number

12. How do I display the registration number?

The numbers and letters must:

Exist painted or permanently attached to each side of the gunkhole's forrard one-half.
Read from left to correct.
Be assuming, block messages and numbers, at least iii inches high, and be a contrasting color to the groundwork.
Be separated by a dash or space equal to the width of any letter of the alphabet or number except "I" or "1."

Example of how to display boat registration numbers

The validation decal must be displayed within half-dozen inches of the number (before or post-obit) on the same level. Follow these guidelines to remove the decals from the bankroll material:

Bend the 3"x three" decals along the center score
Peel the decal away from the backing cloth starting from the middle and working toward the outside edges.
Bend (exercise not fold) the one"x 1" decal in the middle. Peel off the decal starting from the inside edge working toward the outside edge.

Annotation: The Commission does not supply the actual letters and numbers. The owner is responsible for purchasing and displaying the registration number. Hardware stores and boat dealers, for example, sell these kinds of letters and numbers.

xiii. Is my out-of-state registration valid in Pennsylvania?

In most cases, yes.

It is legal to operate a boat registered in another state on Pennsylvania waters. Boats must exist registered in the land of primary use. The state of primary employ is the state where a boat is on the water more than than it is on the water of any other state. It does not thing where you live. If you use your boat more often in Pennsylvania than your home land, PA is your primary country of use. The law allows for the occasional use of a gunkhole in states other than those where the boat is registered.

Out-of-state boaters with a boat validly registered in their home state are granted reciprocal privileges to gunkhole in Pennsylvania for up to sixty days. Persons who may use their boats in this state for greater than 60 days are required to register their boats in Pennsylvania.

Note that different states may have dissimilar requirements. For instance some states may allow unpowered boats on state parks and other state-endemic facilities to boat without a registration. In Pennsylvania, unpowered boats using state parks and Committee accesses are required to exist registered or to take a use (launch) permit.

fourteen. Are there whatsoever other requirements or laws I should know well-nigh?

Yes. An overview of Pennsylvania boating can exist found in the PA Boating Handbook. It provides detailed explanations of boating regulations, condom information and much more.

Impress (newspaper) copies are also available, costless of charge, at Commission offices, canton treasurers and approved boat registration issuing agents. Call 888-723-4741 to get whatever of these publications.

While not a regulation or police force guide, our Boating FAQ may also be useful. It provides information about boating in full general, boating regulations and boating rubber education.

xv. Why do I have to report how much fuel I used?

Fuel usage reports from registered boat owners allow the Commission to recover a portion of the taxes paid when the fuel was purchased. The Commission uses this coin to support its boating programs. Under-reporting, or not reporting any fuel, decreases the amount of money bachelor to support boating facilities and boating programs in Pennsylvania. Registered boat owners should endeavor to be as accurate as possible when providing this information.

16. How exercise I sell my boat?

The most important part of the sale is to certificate the transaction accurately by including dates, costs, descriptions, signatures, etc. You lot need to sign the proper registration and title forms as the seller, and the purchaser needs to practice the same. For any registration and/or title awarding, all parties must complete and sign form REV-336.

17. Can I annals my homemade boat?

HOMEMADE BOATS MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR Sale IN THIS COMMONWEALTH

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Committee (PFBC) will but accept applications from the original builder for their personal use for bootleg boats that have been constructed from blue prints, kits or parts of various boats by a generally recognized manufacturer. Building a boat from blue prints may require a marine survey and stability test by a certified marine surveyor. Customers may contact PFBC prior to construction for additional details.

The regulations are specifically outlined regarding the definition of a specially constructed gunkhole which is ane of the following:

(i) A boat non originally constructed by a more often than not recognized manufacturer of boats under a distinctive proper name and not materially contradistinct from its original structure, but assembled from parts of various boats or kits or both, and that would be commonly known as a "homemade" boat.

(ii) A gunkhole that has been materially altered by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts derived from various other makes and models and that the Commission determines cannot be readily identified as a boat of a generally recognized make or model.

18. How many boats does the commission annals?

The Commission provides a report that shows the number of boat registrations sold.