Puerto Rico Boat Registration

Puerto Rico Boat Registration HIN Check

Example where to find the Boat State Registration Number and title Decal sticker.
Example where to find the Boat State Registration Number and title Decal sticker. State letters differ.

Puerto Rico boat registration FAQs are found below and can be downloaded as PDF. We have written this page to inform the boating community about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for the State of Puerto Rico. We also cover the titling fees if applicable.

We will cover information about the Boat Registration Agency in this state and if you are wondering about Registration and marking requirements we have an overview of that as well. We also talk about Registration Requirements for boats in Puerto Rico along with things you need to know about boat Ownership and Liens so you can better perform Boat Title Searches or boat history lookups in PR.

Where are Puerto Rico Boats Registered?

Remember that some states have titling for boats and others do not. Puerto Rico issues registrations only for all non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the PR Department of natural and environmental resources .

Does Puerto Rico have clean titles? Boat titles are always “clean” unless a state has enacted UCOTVA. All other states will not have any indication on the title that the boat has a salvage or total loss brand like cars have on their titles.

Did you know that 25,000 boats registered in the State of Puerto Rico make up 0.2% of all USA vessel registrations?

Chart: Puerto Rico Recreational Vessel Registration Counts by year
Chart: Puerto Rico Recreational Vessel Registration Counts by year

For more boating statistics see: Volume of Recreational boating vessels in the U.S.

Podcast: Puerto Rico boat registration

Puerto Rico Boat Registration Numbers

Puerto Rico boat registration numbers begin with a “PR”. The PR designation is followed by four numbers and then two letters like in most states. You will have to display these as shown above, if your boat is not documented at the USCG. Put the PR boat registration sticker tab next to it. The state reg. number should not be confused with the 12 character Hull ID (HIN).

All boats manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with the letters “PRZ” are available for home made boats and those without factory designations. Hull number inspections are not required in Puerto Rico unless there is a discrepancy. (use HinDecoder.com to validate your HIN formatting is good)

Order engraved HIN Tag ID Plate from ebay here.

Sample HIN Tag ID Plate
Sample HIN Tag ID Plate

Exceptionally, a Coast Guard documented vessel does not need to display the state registration number but instead they would display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port. The USCG Official documentation number must also be affixed on other locations on the boat: interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.

Boat Liens Database In Puerto Rico

Security interests in state titled boats are recorded with the PR Department of natural and environmental resources . These will be shown on both the registration and title certificates if there are any. Security interests in boats that are neither titled or USCG documented are recorded with the Secretary of State as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. If the vessel is USCG documented, a lender’s security interests will be recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and are indexed on the boat’s abstract of title. This is different from state registration lookups and can be ordered at boat-abstract.com.

Tax liens may be flagged on boat registration records, recorded as UCC filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk’s office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic’s liens or other non-secured claims against state titled boats. Uniform Commercial Code searches are available online from the Secretary of State.

Boat title and registration records in Puerto Rico are maintained by the PR Department of natural and environmental resources . This agency does not facilitate online searches on their website but you can search the boat-alert.com database.

Puerto Rico Boat Registration Lookup

The Boat-Alert.com database combines 72+ nationwide databases into a single place so you can search in a matter of minutes. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, factory recalls, and boat manufacturers.

Search a Boat Hull ID history report with Boat-Alert.com
Click to Order a HIN Search

Titling & Registration Requirements in Puerto Rico

  • TITLING
    • REQUIRED: No
    • VESSEL TYPES: N/A
    • EXEMPTIONS: N/A
    • FEES: N/A
    • DUPLICATE FEE: N/A
    • TRANSFER FEE: N/A
  • REGISTRATION
    • VESSEL TYPES: All vessels having an engine.
    • EXEMPTIONS: Government and Non-powered seaborne craft
    • USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS REQUIRED: Yes
    • NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 60 days
    • FEES: 0 -15 -$25 16 – 21 -$50 22 – 29 – $100 30 – 39 – $200 40 – 64 – $300 65 – or more – $400
    • DUPLICATE REGISTRATION FEE: $10
    • DUPLICATE DECAL FEE: $10
    • TRANSFER FEE: $2
    • LATE FEE: No
Infographic: Puerto Rico Boat Registration
Infographic: Puerto Rico Boat Registration

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Categories: To learn more about Boat-Alert.com History Reports for used boats and boats registration visit: www.Boat-Alert.com


About Boat-Alert.com®
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