Texas Boating Requirements
BoatWiki - Resources
Introduction
This summary is designed to inform the boating public about title options, registration requirements, recording methods, record searches, tax rules, and operational guidelines for the State of Texas. The data is maintained as an open wiki forum where readers are encouraged to participate by sharing knowledge and experiences with this particular jurisdiction. Simply click on the above WikiShare link to contribute further details or suggest a revision.
Registration and Titling
Texas issues boat registrations and titles on all non-exempt watercraft operating within its jurisdiction. These administered through the Parks and Wildlife Department. The home office in located in Austin and there are regional service centers located throughout the state. All outboard motors, except electric trolling motors, are subject to titling, but not registration. Boat trailer registrations are handled through a local tax assessor office.
Registration is required on all boats except sailboats under 14 feet in length and non-motorized boats such as canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, and rubber rafts. Coast guard documented boats are also subject to registration. Titling is required on all registered boats in Texas, except those which are Coast Guard documented.
Texas has provisions for bonded boat titling in situations where there is insufficient proof of ownership.
Texas has procedures for titling or registering a boat subject to storage or mechanic's possessory liens.
There are approximately 577,144 boats registered in the State of Texas. This accounts for 4.9% of all nationwide registrations.
Numbering and Marking
Boat registration numbers in Texas begin with a "TX" prefix which is followed by four numbers and two letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats except those which are Coast Guard documented. A hull inspection by a Texas law enforcement official is required if there is a discrepancy or for boats requiring a state assigned hull number.
Recording Methods
Boat and outboard motor title or registration records in Texas are administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. If you need further boat or motor details, lien-holder information, or historical data, it will be necessary to submit a written request. Boat registration records are maintained for 10 years in Texas.
Security interests on non-documented boats which are state titled must be recorded on the state title records. On Coast Guard documented vessels, a preferred mortgage must be recorded on the vessel's abstract of title. A UCC financing statement must be filed if the boat is neither titled or documented.
If the vessel is USCG documented, a security interest is perfected by filing a preferred vessel mortgage. These are recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center with the earliest submissions taking priority. Other lien claims can be filed in the same manner although these function as notifications only. All such filings are indexed on the vessel's underlying abstract of title.
Record Searches
Boat and outboard registration, title, ownership and historical records in Texas are maintained by the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Insights on how to go about boat boat and outboard motor registration search lookups and obtaining current and historical record printouts can be found in Wikilinks.
State and Federal tax liens on boats are not always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore difficult to track down. They may show up as a red flag on state registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records, in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access to a broad range of personal property lien recordings. Information about business entities that own boats registered, titled, or documented in Texas can be obtained by searching the Secretary of State business records online. This includes corporations, Limited Liability Companies and other legal entities.
Ownership, mortgage, and lien search recordings for USCG documented vessels can be obtained by ordering an abstract of title and a copy of the certificate of documentation from the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Taxes and Insurance
Boats and motors in Texas are subject sales and use tax. Visit the Comptroller Office website link in WikiTags for further information.
Operating and Safety
Boat operator licensing is required in Texas. Individuals born after Aug. 31, 1993, who will be operating a boat over 15 hp, a PWC, or a sailboat over 14 feet long.
Transfers of ownership, abandonments, destructions, and thefts must be reported within 15 days.
Conclusion
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and may contain errors or omissions. Be sure to check with the respective government agency before taking action on any such data. More detailed information about all of these topics can be found in the above WikiTags.
Credits and References
3/29/2022 - Page initiated by Team BoatWiki.
7/29/2022 - Page revised.
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