In Pennsylvania, most motor-powered vessels must be legally registered with the state governing authority. To legally register the boat, the registrant must prove ownership. This is typically done with a boat bill of sale that Pennsylvania authorities require.
Pennsylvania Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
You must provide proof of your ownership of a vessel to sell it. If the boat was manufactured after January 1, 1993, you might use a certificate of origin from the dealer, manufacturer, or distributor.
For vessels built before that date, or if the certificate of origin is unavailable, a boat bill of sale provided by the seller will suffice. It should contain the following information:
- The sellers’ and buyers’ names and contact information
- The location of the vessel
- The date of sale
- A description of the boat
- The hull identification number if the boat was built after October 31, 1972, or another serial number for boats built before that date
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in Pennsylvania?
No, a boat bill of sale must not be notarized in Pennsylvania.
After Purchasing a Vessel
For sellers:
- You must complete and sign your section of Form REV-336, provided by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFC). If the last registered owner is deceased, the executor and/or administrator of the decedent can sign on their behalf and provide the buyer a copy of the original death certificate or Form PFBC-T8 signed by the funeral director or attending physician.
- Provide proof of your ownership of the vessel. You must provide a valid title document if the ship was titled and registered in another state. If the title is unavailable, you may execute, under penalty of law, Form PFBC-734 (Affidavit of Purchase/Ownership), stating facts that support your claim of ownership.
For buyers:
- You must complete your portion of Form REV-336 and forward the form to the PFC, Division of Licensing and Registration. If you cannot sign, a bill of sale provided by the seller is also permitted.
- If the sale is private, you must receive proof of ownership from the seller, as indicated above.
- You can transfer registration from a previously owned boat to the current one. This requires the completion and submission of Form PFBC R-4.
Pennsylvania Boat Bill of Sale Template
Below, you can download a PN boat bill of sale in PDF or Word format:
