Texas boat — quick answer
Texas titles the boat and the outboard motor as two separate things. A hull and its engine each get their own title and their own application form, so a private sale that only hands over the boat paperwork leaves the buyer unable to prove they own the motor bolted to the transom.
How boat sales actually work in Texas
- Agency
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), not the DMV
- Boat form
- PWD 143 — Vessel/Boat Application
- Motor form
- PWD 144 — separate title for the outboard motor
- Deadline
- 45 working days from the date of sale before tax penalties and interest apply
- Seller protection
- PWD 1340 notifies TPWD that ownership changed
- Where to file
- TPWD headquarters in Austin, a TPWD law-enforcement field office, or a participating county tax assessor-collector
Transferring a boat in Texas, step by step
- Seller signs the back of the title with the buyer's name and the date — or writes a bill of sale carrying the date, price, make, year, serial number, buyer name and seller signature, which TPWD accepts in its place.
- Do the same for the outboard motor on PWD 144 if one is included in the sale. The boat title does not cover it.
- Buyer files PWD 143 (and PWD 144) within 45 working days, with the tax due on the purchase price.
- Seller files PWD 1340 so TPWD records the transfer and the seller stops being the owner of record.
What private buyers get wrong here
- The motor is a separate title. Buying a boat "with the engine" and only receiving the hull title is the most common way a Texas private sale goes wrong — insist on the motor paperwork at the same time.
- The 45-day clock is in working days and it drives tax penalties, not just a late fee. It starts on the date of sale, so date the bill of sale accurately.
- If the boat is coming from another state, TPWD may require a physical serial-number verification (PWD 504) before it will issue a Texas title.
Verified 2026-08-31 against TPWD — Buying and Selling a Boat in Texas . Rules change — confirm before you sign.
Is a boat bill of sale required in Texas?
Texas titles the boat and the outboard motor as two separate things. A hull and its engine each get their own title and their own application form, so a private sale that only hands over the boat paperwork leaves the buyer unable to prove they own the motor bolted to the transom.
Does a Texas boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Check the instructions for the specific title and bill-of-sale form. A requirement to notarize a title assignment does not automatically mean the separate bill of sale needs notarization. If notarization is required, wait to sign until the notary instructs you.
What to include on a Texas boat bill of sale
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and length
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) — 12 characters
- Motor details (make, horsepower, serial number)
- Whether a trailer is included
- Price, date, and signatures
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the TxDMV before you sign. Not legal advice.
Texas Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a boat bill of sale required in Texas?
Texas titles the boat and the outboard motor as two separate things. A hull and its engine each get their own title and their own application form, so a private sale that only hands over the boat paperwork leaves the buyer unable to prove they own the motor bolted to the transom.
Does a Texas boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Check the signing requirements for the specific title and bill-of-sale form. Notarization of a title assignment and notarization of a bill of sale are separate questions; a car rule does not establish the rule for this item.
What is a HIN on a boat bill of sale?
The Hull Identification Number is a 12-character code unique to the boat, similar to a VIN on a car. It is required to register the vessel and should be copied exactly.
Do I need a separate bill of sale for the boat trailer and motor?
The motor is usually described on the boat bill of sale. A trailer often has its own VIN and may need its own bill of sale and registration — use our trailer bill of sale for that.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.