Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessels Certificate of Boat Registration and Decals
Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state.
In Pennsylvania, you must have a Pennsylvania Certificate of Boat
Registration and validation decals to operate motorboats legally
on public waters. In addition, unpowered vessels
using Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) lakes, state
parks, or access areas must be registered or have a launch permit
issued by the PFBC or the Bureau of State Parks.
The
Certificate of Boat Registration and validation decals are obtained
by submitting the proper application and fee to any authorized
agent or to:
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Licensing and Registration Section
P.O. Box 67000
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
Fees for registration are based on a vessel’s length and
type of propulsion.
The Certificate of Boat Registration (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement
officer whenever the vessel is operated.
Validation Decals
The registration number and validation decals must be displayed
as follows.
- Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel.
- Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
- Number must be in at least three-inch-high, BLOCK letters.
- Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
- Letters must be separated from the numbers by hyphens or by spaces equal to the width of the numbers or letters.
- No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
- Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. The decals may precede or follow the number.
The requirements for displaying numbers and decals are different for small vessels.
- Kayaks, sculls, and sailboards are exempt from displaying
their registration number but must display the validation decals.
- Canoes must display both the number and the decals.
- Inflatable boats may display their number and decals on boards
that are tied to each side of the boat.
If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate
it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered
and numbered as described above.
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PWCs also are required to display the certificate's
number and validation decal. |

Correct spacing of decal and registration number; decal may precede
or follow the number.
Other Facts About Titling and Registering
Your Vessel
A Certificate of Title proves ownership. At the request of the
owner, any vessel may be titled. Once a title has been issued,
that vessel must remain titled by future owners. The following
vessels are required to have a Certificate of Title:
- Power-driven boats with a model year of 1997 or newer, excluding
boats less than 14 feet in length that are powered by an outboard
motor
- All inboard vessels (including PWCs) with a model year of
1997 or newer, regardless of length
A Certificate of Boat Registration is valid for two years and expires on March 31 of the second year. Owners of vessels which have been registered previously will be sent a renewal notice prior to the expiration date.
The owner of a registered vessel must notify PFBC’s Licensing
and Registration Section within 15 days if:
- He or she changes addresses or …
- The vessel is lost, stolen, destroyed, abandoned, or sold.
Owners of vessels registered in another state have 60 days to transfer the registration to Pennsylvania after Pennsylvania becomes the principal state where the boat is used.
If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Boat Registration or decal, you must apply to PFBC’s Licensing and Registration Section for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels also must obtain a Pennsylvania registration and display the validation decals.
Registration Questions?
Contact the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Licensing
and Registration Section, by:
Application For Pennsylvania Boat Registration and/or Title
Registration and title application forms can be obtained from:
- PFBC’s
website
- PFBC’s regional offices
- Most county treasurers
- Certified issuing agents
- Many marine dealers
Hull Identification Number
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12-digit number
assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.
Hull Identification Numbers:
- Distinguish one vessel from another—the same as
serial numbers distinguish one car from another.
- Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently
attached to the transom.
You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate
from your vessel in case warranty problems arise or your vessel
is stolen.
If the HIN is missing or nonexistent, such as with a homemade vessel, apply to the PFBC for an identification number.
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