Almost all motorized vessels operating in Pennsylvania waters must be registered with the  Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). Non-powered boats do not need to be registered unless they are operating in a PFBC access area or lake, or inside a Pennsylvania state park or forest.

The PFBC does not stipulate how soon a buyer must register a boat after purchasing it, but the best practice is to do so as soon as possible. Temporary registration documents are available at regional PFBC offices, and at authorized boat registration issuing agents.

Registration lasts for two years. Renewals may be completed either by mail or online.

The registration application and associated materials must be mailed to the Fish and Boat Commission address listed on the registration application.

• An Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration and/or Boat Title (Form REV-336)
• A Bill of Sale
• Payment of all registration fees, a schedule for which is included on Page 2 of Form REV-336
• Proof of payment of state sales tax and supplemental local sales tax if the buyer is a resident of Alleghany County or the City of Philadelphia
• If the boat was purchased used from a private party: the existing Pennsylvania title signed over to the buyer, or purchased from another state, the previous title signed over
  • If the boat is purchased from a state that does not title boats, the registration statement from the previous owner
• If the boat was purchased from a Pennsylvania dealer: the manufacturer’s certificate of origin