Do I Have To Register A Trailer If It Is Under 14 Ft

Boat Registration and Titles – Frequently Asked Questions

Part Locations

Where can I go my boat registration/title and outboard motor championship processed?
I don't want to mail my original documents, what are my options?
What methods of payment are accepted?

Tax

How much is boat / outboard motor taxation and when is it due?

Registration

Do I need to annals my boat?
How practice I renew my registration?
How much does it price to renew my gunkhole registration?

Championship

Do I need to have a Texas title in my name for my boat and outboard motor?
Why does TPWD show a lien on my boat and/or outboard motor if I paid it off?

Replacements – Titles, Registration Decals, Certificate of Number Cards

How do I replace a lost or destroyed title for my boat and/or outboard motor?
How practice I supercede lost or destroyed registration decals?
How exercise I get a replacement or additional Certificate of Number ID Carte du jour?

Out-of-State

Tin I utilize my gunkhole in Texas if information technology is registered in another state?
How do I register my gunkhole in Texas if it is already registered and/or titled in another country?
I bought a boat and/or outboard motor that's registered and/or titled in some other state. How practice I transfer buying and get Texas boat registration/title and/or Texas outboard motor title?

Transfer of Ownership

How do I transfer my Texas gunkhole registration/title and Texas outboard motor title?
How practice I notify TPWD that I have sold/no longer own my boat OR that I have moved the registration to another country/country?

Owner and/or Lien Holder Data

How tin I get current owner and/or lien holder data on a gunkhole and/or outboard motor?

Ownership History

How can I get the history on a boat and/or outboard motor?

Address Changes

How practise I change the address of a boat that is currently registered in my name?

Boat Trailer

Where do I become my boat trailer transferred?

Licensed Marine Dealer, Distributor or Manufacturer

How do I become a licensed marine dealer?
How do I get a licensed marine distributor or manufacturer?
How do I renew my marine license?
How practise I transfer my license?
How do I correct or update my marine license?
How do I obtain an additional or replace a lost or destroyed validation card and decal?

DISCLAIMER: Due to unique situations, the information above may not be all inclusive. If your state of affairs is not specifically discussed, please call the Boat Information Hotline at 800-262-8755.

Office Locations

Where can I get my boat registration/title and outboard motor championship processed?

To protect public health and minimize the risks associated with the spread of COVID-xix, all customers are highly encouraged to appoint in alternatives to doing concern in person with TPWD.

Online Boat Registration – Renew registration, obtain replacement documents and more than online. Come across available online boat registration options.
Mail-in Boat Requests – Mail ownership transfer transaction requests to your nearest TPWD Law Enforcement Office.

All required forms must be completed in full and submitted together with any required application fees, supporting documents, and any gunkhole/outboard motor taxes due.

Boat Forms
Fee Chart
Tax Estimator

I don't want to mail my original documents, what are my options?

For the quickest processing, new championship/registration transactions, ownership transfers, and other transaction types that cannot exist completed online are highly encouraged to be mailed to your nearest TPWD Law Enforcement Office. Unsure almost sending original documents through the postal service? We recommend, but do non crave, that transactions are mailed via an available tracking method (USPS delivery confirmation, UPS, FedEx or other delivery service) and that copies of all original documentation sent are made and retained by the sender.
In-person appointments are bachelor at TPWD Law Enforcement Offices.
Contact a participating Tax Assessor-Collector Office to see if your transaction may be processed there.

What methods of payment are accustomed?

Greenbacks, checks and money orders are accepted at all locations. Credit and debit cards are not accustomed at TPWD locations for gunkhole related transactions. Acceptance of credit and debit cards at Tax Assessor-Collector locations is up to the discretion of each individual taxation office location.

Tax

How much is boat / outboard motor tax and when is information technology due?

TPWD is required past law to collect tax for vessels/boats (115 feet or less in length) and outboard motors purchased in Texas or brought into Texas on or after January one, 2000.

The tax rate is vi.25% of the sales price. Employ the tax computer.

Tax is due:

Within 45 working days from the date of auction or date brought to Texas when purchased on or afterwards September 1, 2019, or
Inside 20 working days from the engagement of sale or appointment brought to Texas when purchased prior to September 1, 2019.

Applications filed after the engagement the tax is due are subject to revenue enhancement penalties and interest. When mailed, applications are considered "filed" the date they are postmarked.

NOTE: TPWD does not have the authority to waive or exempt revenue enhancement, penalty or interest due. Tax law and policy is under the sole authority of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Currently there is no extension or waiver for boat / outboard motor taxation due to COVID-19. A Taxpayer may submit Form 57-200, Texas Claim for Refund of Gunkhole and Boat Motor Tax (PDF) to the Comptroller of Public Accounts to request a refund of penalisation / interest paid.

New Resident Tax — $15.00. New Resident taxation is assessed (not sales or employ tax) for owners who previously resided in another state who are bringing their previously titled or registered boat and/or outboard motor from that other state into Texas.

Registration

Practise I demand to annals my gunkhole?

Yeah. The following vessels (when on Texas public water) are required by law to have current registration. This includes vessels that are docked or moored:

All motorized vessels, regardless of length, including any sailboat with an auxiliary engine (motorized boats include boats propelled by a trolling motor); and
All non-motorized vessels (including sailboats) 14 anxiety in length or longer; and
USCG documented vessels.

Vessels Exempted from Registration— All non-motorized canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, or rubber rafts (regardless of length), or other vessels under fourteen feet in length when paddled, poled, oared, or windblown; USCG documented commercial vessels used in littoral shipping; and vessels exceeding 115 feet in length.

How do I renew my registration?

Registration may exist renewed every bit early as ninety days prior to the expiration appointment.

The owner on TPWD record may renew registration by 1 of the following methods:

How much does information technology cost to renew my gunkhole registration?

Fees for gunkhole and outboard motor registration are available in the Outdoor Annual regulations.

Title

Do I need to have a Texas championship in my proper noun for my gunkhole and outboard motor?

Yes. The following are required to be titled:

All motorized vessels, regardless of length (including whatever sailboat with an auxiliary engine);
All non-motorized vessels (including sailboats) 14 feet in length or longer; and
All internal combustion (gasoline/diesel fuel/propane powered) outboard motors must exist titled.

Parks and Wildlife Lawmaking states:

"SUBCHAPTER B-1. CERTIFICATES OF Title FOR VESSELS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS

Sec. 31.045. Buying OF VESSELS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS; CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.

(a) The buying of a vessel or of an outboard motor is evidenced by a certificate of title issued by the section, unless the vessel or the outboard motor is new."

Vessels Exempted from Titling — USCG documented vessels, all not-motorized canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, or rubber rafts (regardless of length) or other vessels nether 14 feet in length when paddled, poled, oared, or windblown.

Non-USCG documented vessels that are currently registered and non titled must exist titled when transferred.

Why does TPWD show a lien on my boat and/or outboard motor if I paid it off?

This occurs when TPWD has non been notified that your lien has been satisfied. To notify and remove the lien information, the possessor of record must employ for a replacement title with the lien released by submitting the Request to Release a Lien form PWD 403 media download (PDF 298.two KB), and one of the following:

Title with the lien release section signed by the lien holder; or
Section N – Release a Lien on the form PWD 403 (PDF 298.2 KB) completed by the lien holder and notarized; or
Carve up notarized Release of Lien provided by the lien holder.

Submit with required fees to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office. TPWD will mail service a title to you that does not show a lien.

Standard replacement titles impress 21 days after being processed and are mailed from TPWD Headquarters. For an boosted fee, you can expedite the printing of a replacement title. Quick titles print one day afterward being processed and are mailed from TPWD Headquarters. Fee Chart media download (PDF 430.2 KB)

Replacements – Titles, Registration Decals, Document of Number Cards

How do I supervene upon a lost or destroyed title for my boat and/or outboard motor?

Parks and Wildlife Code states:

"Sec. 31.053 TRANSFERS OF VESSELS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS

No person may sell, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of an interest in a vessel or an outboard motor without:

(5) delivering to the transferee a certificate of title for the vessel or outboard motor in the name of the transferor and properly endorsed to show the transfer or evidence of an involuntary transfer."

The owner of tape must apply if there is no lien. If there is a lien on our record and the lien has not been paid, the lien holder must use. If there is a lien on our tape and the lien has been paid, the owner of record may apply for a replacement championship with the lien released by submitting form PWD 403 media download (PDF 298.2 KB), and i of the following:

Section N – Release a Lien on the form PWD 403 (PDF 298.2 KB) completed past the lien holder and notarized; or
Separate notarized Release of Lien provided by the lien holder.

Submit with required fees to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Police Enforcement field role or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector role.

Standard replacement titles print 21 days after beingness processed and are mailed from TPWD Headquarters. For an boosted fee, y'all tin expedite the printing of a replacement title. Quick titles print one day subsequently beingness processed and are mailed from TPWD Headquarters. Fee Chart media download (PDF 430.ii KB)

How do I replace lost or destroyed registration decals?

If you are the owner of tape, your registration is current, and your decals have been lost or destroyed, you may Replace Decals Online through the Texas Parks & Wildlife or Texas Online website.

Or y'all may submit form PWD 143M media download (PDF 206.8 KB) with required fees to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Constabulary Enforcement field role or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office.

The owner of tape may authorize someone to obtain replacement decals for them in person or past mail by completing Letter of Authorization form PWD 581 media download (PDF 314.ane KB).

How do I become a replacement or additional Certificate of Number ID Menu?

If you are the owner of record, your registration is current and you have lost or destroyed your ID Card, OR if you lot would like additional ID Card(s) you may Replace or Request Additional ID Card(southward) Online through the Texas Parks & Wildlife or Texas Online website.

Or y'all may submit form PWD 143M media download (PDF 206.8 KB) with required fees to Texas Parks & Wild fauna Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Police Enforcement field function or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office.

The owner of record may qualify someone to obtain replacement or additional ID menu(s) for them in person or past mail by completing Letter of Authorization form PWD 581 media download (PDF 314.one KB).

Out-of-State Registration

Can I apply my boat in Texas if it is registered in another state?

If you have a vessel registered or titled in your name in another state you may operate the vessel upwardly to 90 consecutive days with current out-of-state registration.

Use taxation is due and payable upon arrival in Texas. In lieu of paying use tax, a temporary use tax permit may be obtained by submitting course PWD 1434 media download (PDF 147.ane KB)to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office.

Separate permits are required for each vessel and/or outboard motor. The fee for each permit is $150.00.

The permit is valid for 90 days and is non-renewable, non-transferable, and non-refundable. Only two temporary use revenue enhancement permits may be issued for the aforementioned taxable vessel or taxable outboard motor inside a calendar year. The second permit in a agenda year may non be issued before the 30th day subsequently the date the offset allow expires.

How do I register my boat in Texas if information technology is already registered and/or titled in another country?

If you currently have your vessel registered and/or titled in your proper name in another land you tin transfer the registration/title to Texas. Yous must transfer your registration and title within 90 days and pay use tax or new resident tax, as applicable, inside 45 working days.

Submit the post-obit to obtain Texas registration and title for a vessel:

Submit the post-obit to obtain Texas championship for an outboard motor:

I bought a boat and/or outboard motor that's registered and/or titled in another country. How practice I transfer ownership and get Texas boat registration/title and/or Texas outboard motor title?

The seller must:

The purchaser must:

Complete the rest of the awarding in the new owner'south name, sign and date;
Submit verification of the serial numbers by completing form PWD 504 (PDF 62 KB) (with pencil tracing or photograph of the boat hull identification/serial number AND/OR motor identification/serial number); and
Submit application(s), assigned registration/title(s), supporting documents, required fees and tax within 45 days to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office.
Applications for transfer of championship and ownership must exist filed non subsequently than 45 working days from date of purchase, or tax penalties and involvement will exist applied.

Transfer of Ownership

How practice I transfer my Texas gunkhole registration/championship and Texas outboard motor title?

Purchasing Used Vessels/Outboard Motors – DO Non purchase a used vessel/boat or outboard motor without receiving an original title (signed on the front and dorsum) along with a signed bill of sale from the person(s) listed on the title or from their legally documented representative. If a legal representative signs the championship or nib of sale for the recorded owner(s), you must obtain a copy of the documentation authorizing the legal representative to act on behalf of the possessor(s). Texas Parks and Wildlife is not authorized to annals/championship boat trailers, those are handled by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles through your local County Tax offices.

The seller must:

Complete the tax affidavit portion of the Vessel/Boat Application grade PWD 143 (PDF 259.5 KB) and/or Outboard Motor Application class PWD 144 (PDF 261.4 KB), sign and date each course; and
If the vessel/boat or outboard motor is required to be titled, the seller must provide one of the post-obit in their name:
- MSO (if brand new);
- Texas title; or
- Out of state championship/registration (whichever is required by the previous country)
On the back of the MSO, title or out of state title/registration, the seller must print the name of the purchaser, sign, and date. Brown colored titles (newer format for vessels/boats & motors) have spaces on the back of the title to fill in for the bill of auction data.
If a hand written bill of auction is provided instead of on the title or signed revenue enhancement affidavit portion on the PWD 143 and/or PWD 144, list the cost of the trailer separately from the toll of the vessel/boat and outboard motor. A valid bill of sale must incorporate the date of sale, sales price (excluding trailer), description of the vessel/gunkhole and outboard motor (make, year, and TX or serial number), purchaser(due south) name(due south) and seller(s) signature(s).

The purchaser must:

Obtain the title signed on the back along with a pecker of sale.
Complete the remainder of the awarding in the new owner'south proper noun, sign and date; and
Out of country or not previously titled vessels/boats and motors must verify the serial number (HIN/MIN) past completing form PWD 504 (with pencil tracing or photograph of the vessel/gunkhole hull identification AND/OR motor identification/series number); and
Submit application(s), assigned title(s), supporting documents, required fees and tax within 45 days to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wild animals Law Enforcement field role or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office.
Applications for transfer of championship and buying filed later than 45 working days from engagement of purchase are bailiwick to tax penalties and interest.

How do I notify TPWD that I have sold/no longer ain my boat/outboard motor OR that I have moved the registration/title to another state/country?

The owner on TPWD record may notify TPWD past using 1 of the following methods:

Ownership Transfer Notification Online through the Texas Parks & Wildlife website, or
The completed form PWD 1340 (PDF 306.2 KB) can exist mailed to TPWD Boat Registration, 4200 Smith School Rd, Austin, TX 78744, or faxed to 512-389-4900, or scanned and attached to an email to boat.reg@tpwd.texas.gov.

Parks and Wild fauna Code states:

Sec. 31.037. CHANGE IN Ownership INTEREST; Observe TO Section.

(a) The recorded owner of a vessel numbered in this state shall notify the department not later on than the 20th day later the date:

of the transfer by auction, donation, souvenir, or other ways of all or any role of the owner'due south interest in the vessel, other than the creation of a security involvement in the vessel;
of the destruction or disposal of the vessel; or
of the permanent removal of the vessel from this state to some other land or state.

Owner and/or Lien Holder Data

How can I get the current possessor and/or lien holder information on a boat and/or outboard motor?

Vessel/boat and outboard motor ownership information is, by law, public information. This information is available online through the Request Buying Information link on this website. You can search by either a TX number or serial number. This service is available at no cost and you will be required to enter a valid proper noun and address prior to existence provided with the information.
You lot tin obtain the brand, length, expiration date, and confirmation of title or lien by calling 1-800-262-8755 or (512) 389-4828.
If yous need an owner or lien holder name and address, and do not have either the TX number or serial number, you can submit: Form PWD 763 (PDF 263.5 KB) to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Police Enforcement field office or a participating Canton Revenue enhancement Assessor-Collector office.

Ownership History

How can I go the history on a gunkhole and/or outboard motor?

Vessel/boat and outboard motor ownership information is, past police, public information and TPWD retains historical documentation for vessels/boats and outboard motors for a menses of 10 years. To obtain the History, which provides a copy of all documents submitted for transactions on file for a vessel/gunkhole and/or outboard motor, submit:

Form PWD 763 (PDF 263.v KB) and required fees to Texas Parks & Wild animals Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wild fauna Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector role.
All history requests will be fulfilled past TPWD Austin Headquarters within ten days of processing.

Address Changes

How practise I modify the accost of a boat that is currently registered in my name?

Vessel/boat owners are required by law to notify TPWD of accost changes. Yous may Update Address Online at no cost through the Texas Parks & Wild animals or Texas Online website.

Or you may submit one of the post-obit:

Form PWD 143M (PDF 206.8 KB). Check item G and complete the new address in item O; or
You may write a letter, which includes your vessel/boat TX Number and/or hull/serial identification number, current mailing accost, new mailing address, and signature.

Submit to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Police force Enforcement field part or a participating Canton Revenue enhancement Assessor-Collector function.

Annotation: A new certificate of number card will not be printed if the request is submitted without a request for a new ID bill of fare and submission of the required fee of $11.00.

Boat Trailer

Where do I get my boat trailer transferred?

Texas Parks and Wild animals does not accept the legal potency to process trailer registration. Please contact your local taxation assessor-collector part for assistance with gunkhole trailer registration.

Licensed Marine Dealer, Distributor, or Manufacturer

How exercise I become a licensed marine dealer?

To become a licensed dealer, y'all must be in the concern of buying, selling, selling on assignment, displaying for auction, and exchanging vessels or outboard motors at an established or permanent place of business organisation in the state of Texas. Each location must have a sign conspicuously displayed showing the proper noun of the dealership so that it may exist conspicuously seen by the public and have sufficient infinite to maintain an office, service area, and display of products.

The dealer awarding form PWD 310 media download (PDF 142 KB) must be completed in total and submitted with the post-obit:

Photographs of the business sufficient to show the required sign and infinite;
Copy of the sales taxation permit;
Verification of assumed names (if applicable);
List of dealer agreements; and
Photocopy of the electric current driver'south license of the owner, president, or managing partner of the business.
Submit application, supporting documents, and required $500.00 fee to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin.

PWD 310 Supplemental Information – Rules and statutes pertaining to Dealer, Distributor and/or Manufacturer Licenses.

How do I become a licensed marine benefactor or manufacturer?

To become a licensed benefactor or manufacturer, you must be engaged in the business of manufacturing new and unused vessels and outboard motors for the purpose of sale or trade or offer for sale, sell, or process for distribution new vessels or outboard motors to dealers in the state of Texas.

The distributor or manufacturer awarding class PWD 310 media download (PDF 142 KB) must be completed in full and submitted with the following:

Verification of assumed names (if applicable);
Consummate list of distributors, dealers, and representatives for a manufacturer; or
Complete listing of manufacturers represented by a distributorship.
Submit application, supporting documents, and required $500.00 fee to Texas Parks & Wild fauna Headquarters in Austin.

PWD 310 Supplemental Information – Rules and statutes pertaining to Dealer, Distributor and/or Manufacturer Licenses.

How exercise I renew my marine license?

To renew your license, submit your renewal letter of the alphabet or a completed application class PWD 310 media download (PDF 142 KB), the $500.00 renewal fee, and, if applicable, verification of all assumed names, to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin.

Dealers must also submit the following:

Photocopy of the electric current driver's license of the owner, president, or managing partner of the business;
Copy of the sales revenue enhancement let; and
List of dealer agreements.

Distributors and manufacturers must also render the following:

Listing of manufacturers represented by a distributorship; or
List of distributors, dealers, and representatives.

PWD 310 Supplemental Information – Rules and statutes pertaining to Dealer, Distributor and/or Manufacturer Licenses.

How practice I transfer my license?

To a new owner:

To transfer your license to a new owner, consummate in full the marine license application form PWD 310 media download (PDF 142 KB) and submit it along with the $500.00 fee, and, if applicable, verification of all assumed names, to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin

Dealers must also include the following:

Photographs of the business organisation that show the required sign and space;
Copy of the sales tax permit;
Copy of the current driver'southward license of the possessor, president, or managing partner of the concern; and
List of dealer agreements.

Distributors and manufacturers must besides include the post-obit:

Listing of manufacturers represented by a distributorship; or
List of distributors, dealers, and representatives.

To a new location (with the same owner):

To transfer your license to a new location, complete the marine license application class PWD 310 media download (PDF 142 KB) and submit it along with the $11.00 fee, and, if applicable, verification of all assumed names, to Texas Parks & Wild animals Headquarters in Austin.

Dealers must also include the post-obit:

Photographs of the business that evidence the required sign and infinite; and
Re-create of the sales tax permit.

PWD 310 Supplemental Data – Rules and statutes pertaining to Dealer, Distributor and/or Manufacturer Licenses.

How do I correct or update my marine license?

To right or update information on your marine license other than ownership and location, submit a completed marine license application form PWD 310 media download (PDF 142 KB) and submit it to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin along with the $4.00 fee, and, if applicable, one or more of the following:

Verification of all assumed names
Photographs of the business that show the required sign and space
Re-create of the sales tax allow
Listing of dealer agreements
List of manufacturers represented by a distributorship
List of distributors, dealers, and representatives

PWD 310 Supplemental Information – Rules and statutes pertaining to Dealer, Benefactor and/or Manufacturer Licenses.

How do I obtain an boosted or replace a lost or destroyed validation card and decal?

If your Marine License is electric current and you wish to purchase an additional or replace a lost or destroyed validation card and decal, submit:

Course PWD 310A media download (PDF 76.ix KB) and required fees to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin, a Texas Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement field function or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office. Fee Nautical chart (PDF 430.2 KB)

DISCLAIMER: Due to unique situations, the information above may not be all inclusive. If your situation is not specifically discussed, delight phone call the Gunkhole Data Hotline at (800) 262-8755.

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