PennDOT Form MV-26: PA Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture Guide – Pennsylvania watercraft trailer dealers who hold unclaimed trailers after repairs, storage, or other services can use PennDOT Form MV-26 to begin the official forfeiture process. This form, titled “Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture,” is the department-approved notice required under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. Understanding Form MV-26 helps dealers protect their lien rights and clear title to low-value watercraft trailers in a lawful, streamlined way.
What Is PennDOT Form MV-26?
Form MV-26 is the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) document used by watercraft trailer dealers to notify both the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the trailer owner (or lienholder) that the dealer intends to terminate the owner’s rights, title, and interest in the trailer. The current version is marked MV-26 (1-25).
The form is required by 75 Pa.C.S. § 7324. Dealers must complete it and send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, when a customer fails to reclaim a watercraft trailer within 30 days after the terminal date of service.
Download the official Form MV-26 here: PennDOT Form MV-26 PDF.
Who Must Use Form MV-26?
Only licensed watercraft trailer dealers in Pennsylvania use Form MV-26. The form applies when a trailer remains in the dealer’s possession after services such as:
- Repair, remanufacture, restoration, or alteration
- Storage or cleaning
- Consignment or brokerage
The process is limited to trailers whose resale value (based on established industry standards) does not exceed the annual maximum amount set by PennDOT. For 2025, that maximum is $1,575, as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Legal Authority and Scope
The entire watercraft trailer forfeiture process is governed by 75 Pa.C.S. Chapter 73, Subchapter B (Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture). Key sections include:
- § 7321 – Scope and maximum value limit
- § 7323 – Dealer’s possessory lien
- § 7324 – Notification requirements (Form MV-26)
- § 7326 – Publication of notice
- § 7327 – Redemption rights
- § 7328 – Forfeiture and title application
This subchapter works in concert with the boat and marine forfeiture provisions in Title 30 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
Step-by-Step Process Using Form MV-26
1. Wait 30 days after the terminal date (the date the bill for services was provided or the consignment/brokerage agreement ended).
2. Complete Form MV-26 with accurate information about the trailer, owner, dealer, and amount needed to redeem the trailer.
3. Send the form by certified mail, return receipt requested, to both:
- The customer (at the address designated in writing or last known address)
- PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68594, Harrisburg, PA 17106
4. PennDOT then notifies the last known owner and any recorded lienholders by certified mail.
5. The dealer publishes notice twice. If the trailer is not redeemed within 30 days after the second publication, it is forfeited to the dealer by operation of law.
6. The dealer then files Form MV-26D (Application for Disposal of Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture) along with Form MV-1 and the required title fee to obtain a new certificate of title.
How to Complete Form MV-26?
The form contains three main sections:
Section A – Watercraft Trailer and Owner Information
Include make, model, year, registration plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), title number, estimated value of the trailer, owner’s name and address, and the date and certified mail number of the notice sent to the owner.
Section B – Watercraft Dealer Information
Provide the dealer’s full name, dealer identification number, and telephone number.
Section C – Amount Owed
State the exact amount that must be paid to redeem the trailer as of the date of the notice, plus the date of that calculation.
At the bottom, an authorized dealer representative signs and dates the statement of intent confirming that the dealer intends to terminate the owner’s and lienholder’s rights under 75 Pa.C.S. § 7324.
Mail the completed form to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 68594
Harrisburg, PA 17106
Related Form: MV-26D
After successful forfeiture, dealers use Form MV-26D – Application for Disposal of Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture – to request a certificate of title. The form distinguishes between reclaimed and unclaimed trailers and must be submitted with Form MV-1, a legible VIN tracing, and the applicable title fee. Always obtain the latest version from the official PennDOT website.
Important Tips for Pennsylvania Watercraft Trailer Dealers
- Keep detailed records of the terminal date, all notices, certified mail receipts, and publication proofs.
- Verify the trailer’s resale value against the current maximum ($1,575 for 2025) before starting the process.
- Do not attempt forfeiture on higher-value trailers through this simplified procedure; those cases generally require court action.
- Customers, lienholders, or owners may redeem the trailer at any time before the 30-day period after the second publication by paying all charges and expenses.
- A good-faith purchaser who buys a forfeited trailer from the dealer takes clear title free of prior liens.
Contact PennDOT for Assistance
For the most current forms, fees, or questions about the watercraft trailer forfeiture process, visit the official Pennsylvania DMV website at www.pa.gov/dmv or call 717-412-5300 (TTY callers dial 711).
Always download Form MV-26 and any related documents directly from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to ensure you are using the current official version.