Renewing Boat Registration In Pennsylvania: A Simple Guide

If you're looking to renew your boat registration in Pennsylvania, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll outline the steps you need to take to ensure your boat registration is up-to-date and valid. With Pennsylvania's abundance of lakes, rivers, and miles of Lake Erie shoreline to explore, it's important to make sure you're legally set to sail. So, whether you're a seasoned boater or a newcomer, read on to find out how to renew your boat registration in PA.

Renewal methods

Boat registration renewals in Pennsylvania are valid for two years and expire on either the 31st of December or the 31st of March of the second year, depending on the source. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will mail you a renewal notice before your registration expires. You can also renew your registration online at huntfish.pa.gov for an additional fee of $2.

To renew your vessel registration, submit the required information about your boat and payment for the appropriate renewal fees. You can do this online through the PFBC's Outdoor Shop portal or by mail to the address printed on your renewal notice. If you did not receive a renewal notice or your registration has been expired for a long time, mail a completed Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration Renewal (Form REV-336) in lieu of the renewal notice.

If your vessel title, registration card, or decals are lost or destroyed, you can obtain duplicate copies by submitting the applicable items: Change of Address, Status or Request for Duplicate Certificate of Registration (Form PFBC-732) for a duplicate registration card and/or decals; and/or Application for Duplicate or Corrected Certificate of Title By Owner (Form PFBC-T1) for a duplicate boat title. Mail the necessary fees for replacement title/registration documents to the address on the form.

Requirements

To renew your boat registration in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following requirements:

• Your boat must be registered within the Registration and Titling System (RATS) system. After registering within the RATS system, a RATS data file is imported weekly and linked to existing customer accounts.
• The renewal date window for your boat registration must be currently valid.
• You must have access to your customer homepage, where you can select "Renew Registrations".
• You must locate the registration to be renewed and click "Renew Registration". If no match is found, you may need to refine the search criteria by completing additional fields such as the "Registration #/Certificate of Number", "Hull Number", and "Last Name". If the boat has multiple owners, the registration may be associated with a co-owner's account.
• You must provide your driver's license information. If you are under the age of 18 and do not have a driver's license, you will need to select the appropriate checkbox to indicate this.
• You must select your payment method and complete the checkout process.
• You can optionally order duplicate registration decals for a registered boat.
• You can print a temporary paper copy of the renewal at home, and the state will be notified to print and mail the decals to you.

Please note that the specific requirements and steps for renewing your boat registration in Pennsylvania may change over time, so it is always a good idea to refer to the official website or contact the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information.

Costs

The costs to register and/or title your boat with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) vary depending on the type of boat you own. The fees are as follows:

• Original and renewal registration for non-motorized boats: $22
• Original and renewal registration for motorboats less than 16 ft: $26
• Original and renewal registration for motorboats 16 to 20 ft: $39
• Original and renewal registration for motorboats 20 ft and longer: $52
• Per lien added: $20
• Registration card: $3
• Temporary boat registration agent fee: $2
• Registration transfer (transferring your existing registration to a new vessel): $10
• Certificate of Title (new or corrected): $15

The title is a one-time purchase and will be valid as long as you own your vessel. The registration is valid for 2 years and will expire on December 31 of the final registration year.

In addition to the above fees, there is a $1.00 agent fee, a $0.97 transaction fee, and other service fees and surcharges added by issuing agents.

When renewing your registration, there is an additional fee of $2 for online renewals.

If you need to replace your vessel title, registration card, or decals, you can obtain duplicate copies by submitting the applicable forms and paying the necessary fees.

Registration length

Boat registration in Pennsylvania is valid for two years. The registration expires on December 31 of the final registration year. However, according to another source, the registration expires on March 31 of the second year.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will mail a renewal form, Form PFBC-730A, in December of the year before the registration is set to expire. If you do not receive the form, you can complete Form PFBC-733. These forms will ask questions about your boat's use and require you to confirm that your personal information is correct.

You can renew your registration online at huntfish.pa.gov for an additional fee of $2. Alternatively, you can renew by mail to the address printed on your renewal notice. If you did not receive a renewal notice or your registration has been expired for a long time, you can mail a completed Application for Pennsylvania Boat Registration Renewal (Form REV-336) instead of the renewal notice.

Temporary registration

If you are registering your boat in Pennsylvania for the first time, you can obtain a temporary registration while you wait for your application to be approved. This will allow you to use your boat in the meantime. The temporary registration costs $2 and can be obtained from a Fish and Boat Commission office or issuing agent office.

To register a new boat in Pennsylvania, you must complete Form REV-336 and mail the completed form to the Fish and Boat Commission. This form requires signatures from all parties involved in the purchase or sale of the boat. You will also need to attach proof of ownership and include payment for registration fees.

Once your boat has been registered within the Registration and Titling System (RATS), a RATS data file is imported into the system weekly. The RATS file records are linked to existing customer accounts within the system if there is a match on the customer's driver's license information.

When your application is approved, you will receive a certificate of registration and a decal in the mail. This can take up to 90 days.

Boat registrations in Pennsylvania are valid for two years and expire on March 31st of the second year. You will receive a renewal form, Form PFBC-730A, in the mail the December before your registration is due to expire. You can also renew your registration online at huntfish.pa.gov for an additional fee of $2.

Frequently asked questions