Boat Registration

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) handles all boat registrations for the state, which total more than 350,000 per year.

Before sending any forms to the PFBC, make sure your boat needs to be registered. Any boat that's propelled by a motor, regardless of size, is required to be registered. This includes sailboats that employ engines for secondary power.

Nonmotorized boats such as canoes or sailboats are not required to be registered for some areas. However, registering a nonmotorized boat will allow you to access any Pennsylvania State Park lake or any lake managed by the PFBC.

How to Register

• Your best bet is to first secure a temporary registration, or what is known in Pennsylvania boat-speak as a "t-sticker." This will allow you to enjoy aquatic fun while your regular registration is processed. To get a t-sticker, you must visit a state-approved boat registration agent.

• Complete a boat registration application.

• Pay the registration fee (see below).

• You'll then be mailed your registration card and boat decals.

Registration Fees

• Unpowered boats: $18

• Motorboats under 16 feet: $26

• Motorboats 16-20 feet: $39

• Motorboats 20 feet and longer: $52

• Commercial passenger: $50

• Transfer of registration: $5

• Agent fee (for temporary license): $2

Registration Renewal

The PFBC allows all boat owners to renew their registrations online so as to avoid the hassle of waiting in line. Online payments must be done with a credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover), and a $2 service fee will be added to your total.

Registration Number Display Requirements

• Numbers and letters must be painted or affixed on both sides of your boat's bow.

• The number must read from left to right.

• All letters and numbers must be at least three inches tall and contrast with the color of your boat's bow.

• All letter and number clumps must be separated by a hyphen or the approximate space of any number or letter other than "1" and "I."

• Your validation decals must appear before or after (within six inches) the registration number.

Miscellaneous Boat Information

• For boating rules and regulations, download Pennsylvania's Boating Handbook.

• Boats registered in other states are allowed to navigate Pennsylvania's lakes, rivers, and reservoirs for up to 60 days.

• All boat registrations are valid for two years and expire on March 31.

• Some boats need to be titled as well as registered. For a detailed explanation, visit the PFBC's boat registration FAQs.