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?
Not required. Transfer is by the assigned title plus Form 130-U showing the sale price; a separate bill of sale is not required but is good practice.
Seller signs the title over and the buyer files Form 130-U at the county tax office within 30 days. For boats specifically, registration authority can differ from cars — verify whether your vessel is handled by the TxDMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency.
Does a Texas boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. No notarization required for a standard private sale.
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
How to transfer a boat in Texas
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, and date. Both parties sign and date.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title over and the buyer files Form 130-U at the county tax office within 30 days.
- 3File a notice of sale / release of liability.
The seller files Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346) — file to release liability to remove liability.
- 4Register with the TxDMV.
The buyer titles and registers the boat, bringing Application for Texas Title and/or Registration. Confirm current fees on the official page.
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?
A bill of sale is not required in Texas. Transfer is by the assigned title plus Form 130-U showing the sale price; a separate bill of sale is not required but is good practice.
Does a Texas boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. No notarization required for a standard private sale.
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.