Texas Titling Requirements
- Must be titled: All motorized vessels 14 feet or longer
- Must be titled: All Personal Watercraft (jet skis) regardless of length
- Optional: Motorized vessels under 14 feet
- Exempt from titling and registration: Non-motorized kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards
- Must register, no title required: Motorized boats under 14 feet
Texas Registration Fees
| Vessel Length | 2-Year Registration Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 feet | $32 | Non-motorized exempt |
| 16 ft – under 26 ft | $52 | |
| 26 ft – under 40 ft | $79 | |
| 40 ft and over | $110 | |
| Personal Watercraft | $32 | All PWC same fee |
Sales Tax: 6.25% of purchase price, maximum $1,000 per transaction. Collected at the county tax office when you register. The $1,000 cap applies to vessels purchased for $16,000 or more.
Title Transfer After Private Sale — Texas
- Seller signs the assignment section on the back of the Texas Certificate of Title (PWD 143), including buyer name, date, and sale price.
- Buyer completes PWD 143 Application section. Form available at pwdforms.tpwd.texas.gov or any county tax office.
- Submit to county tax assessor-collector: original signed title, completed PWD 143, photo ID, and payment.
- Pay $13 title fee + 6.25% sales tax (max $1,000). Registration fee due simultaneously.
- Receive registration sticker and temporary number same day. New title arrives from Austin in 4–6 weeks.
Texas registration numbers follow the format TX XXXX XX. Numbers must appear on both sides of the forward half of the hull in block letters at least 3 inches tall, in a color contrasting with the hull. The registration decal goes within 6 inches of the number. You have 30 days from date of purchase to display numbers — even before your title arrives, the county issues you a temporary operating receipt.
Texas No-Title Boat Registration
For motorized vessels 14 feet or longer with no title, Texas requires a bonded title:
- Determine vessel value using NADA Marine or a signed dealer estimate.
- Purchase a surety bond for 1.5× the value from a licensed Texas surety company.
- Complete PWD 143 and submit to county tax office with bond certificate, bill of sale (if available), and $13 title fee.
- TPWD processes bonded titles in 4–6 weeks. Bond is valid for 3 years.
For vessels under 14 feet that have never been titled, register with a notarized bill of sale only — no bond required.
Texas Late Registration
Texas has no grace period for vessel registration. After expiration:
- Late fee: 10% of the registration fee, minimum $5
- Operating on expired registration: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500
- TPWD game wardens actively enforce on Lake Travis, Lake Conroe, Lake Ray Hubbard, and other busy lakes during peak season
Online Renewal in Texas
Texas Parks & Wildlife allows online renewal at tpwd.texas.gov/register-renew. Requires your TX number and HIN. A temporary receipt prints immediately; new sticker arrives by mail in 7–10 business days. Most county tax offices also process renewals in-person same-day.
Key Texas Contacts
- TPWD Boat Registration: (800) 792-1112 | tpwd.texas.gov
- Online Forms: pwdforms.tpwd.texas.gov
- County Tax Offices: Texas has 254 counties — search your county name + "tax assessor collector"
For motorized vessels 14 feet and longer: no — a title is required. If no title exists, you need a bonded title process. For motorized vessels under 14 feet that have never been titled: yes, a notarized bill of sale can be used for initial registration. For vessels with pre-existing titles that simply weren't transferred: the title must be signed over — a bill of sale alone is not enough.
No — initial registration and title transfers must be done in person at a county tax assessor-collector office. Online renewal is available only for existing registrations (same owner, same vessel, same state). New purchases, title transfers, and out-of-state registrations all require a county office visit.
The county processes your transaction same-day and you receive a receipt with a temporary operating permit. The actual title certificate is printed at the TPWD office in Austin and mailed to you in 4–6 weeks. If you haven't received it after 8 weeks, contact TPWD at (800) 792-1112 with your transaction number from the county receipt.