Texas Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Texas.
Texas boat registration and titling overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Texas. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration and Titling Agency
Boat registrations and titles in Texas are
administered by the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) which is headquartered in
Austin. Boat registration and titling services are available from the
home office and field offices located throughout the state.
Registration Statistics:
There are approximately 559,355 boats currently registered in Texas
which accounts for 4.6% percent nationwide. USCG vessel documentation
records indicate 10,121 documented owners with a Texas address and 7,787
documented vessels that display a Texas hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Texas has not yet fully adopted the Uniform
Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the
same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. There
are accordingly no provisions for boat title branding in Texas.
Vessel Information System: Texas participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration and Titling Requirements
Texas requires registration and titling of all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this overview.
Motor Boats: All motorized boats and
watercraft must become registered in Texas regardless of length.
Sailboats:
Non motorized sailboats under 12 are exempt from registration in Texas.
Canoes and Kayaks: Canoes and kayaks under 12 feet are exempt
from registration in Texas if manually propelled.
Inflatable Boats:
Manually propelled inflatable boats under 12 feet are exempt from
registration in Texas.
Dinghies and Tenders:
Dinghies and tenders under 12 fees are exempt from registration in
Texas.
Lifeboats:
Lifeboats under 12 feet are exempt from registration in Texas if manually powered.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are not exempt
from registration in Texas, although titling is forbidden.
Visiting Boats: Foreign boats, USCG documented vessels and those
currently registered in another state may visit Texas for 90 days without having to register.
Boat Titles:
Titles are required on all registered boats in Texas.
Outboard Motors: Outboard motors are
titled separately in Texas and their serial numbers are listed on the
boat registration application.
Boat Trailers:
Boat trailers must be registered in Texas through a local county tax office.
Registration and Title Application
Boat registrations and titles in Texas are
available in person or by mail from the Department of Parks and Wildlife
main office or one its field offices. Certain County Tax Collector's
offices may also process such applications. In doing so, you will need
to provide evidence of ownership and submit the necessary fees.
Application Forms: Boat registration and title forms are
available in person or online from the TDPW.
Manufacturer's Statement:
When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must
present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed
boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with
the respective state or federal laws.
Mechanic's Liens: In order
to register a boat foreclosed on towing, storage and service possessory liens you must provide evidence of compliance
with state lien laws.
Abandoned Boats: In
order to register or title an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Title Bonding:
Boat title bonding is available in Texas when there is
insufficient evidence of ownership. Contact the TDPW to determine the
options under these circumstances.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by visiting
the TDPW website as shown in the referrals for this overview.
Registration Renewals:
Boat registration renewals are available online, by mail or in person
from the TDPW website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Texas begin with
an "TX" designation which is followed by four numbers and then
two letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats
along with the current registration decals. State boat numbering
configuration, size and placement requirements are dictated by
federal regulations. More detailed information can be found in
the referrals for this summary.
Hull Numbers:
All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although typically
assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners with older, homemade,
or imported boats may apply to the Department of Parks and Wildlife for an hull number assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "TXZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code. Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official whenever their is a
missing or questionable hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
Available options for securing loans, liens and claims
against boats registered in Texas are determined
by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation
or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented or state
titled.
Loan Security Interests: Boat loan security
interests on titled boats in Texas are listed on the
certificate of title. Security interests in non-titled and
non-documented boats must recorded as UCC filings with the Secretary of State. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred vessel mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are
sometimes flagged in the state's boat registration database,
recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state
revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on Texas boat registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a USCG documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as
a proprietary source of exposing such information to the general
public.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats are not typically viewed as maritime
liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a
subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording stolen
boats in Texas other than by filing a report
with the Department of Parks and Wildlife. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime
Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Title and Lien Searches
Title and lien search methods for Texas registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration and title records for Texas are maintained in
a database administered by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Access
to such data is available for owners and certain qualified parties as
prescribed by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat
record searches Texas can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Texas are
available online from the Secretary of State website.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information on USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a 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 lien
recordings.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Lien Claim Searches: Additional information
about boat lien claim searches can be found in the referrals for
this overview.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers,
documentation companies and attorneys do not warrant or
guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title
insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on
the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of
course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's
inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the
Secretary of State which can be accessed from the referrals for
this overview.
Stolen Boat Search: Texas does not
maintain a list of boats that have been stolen within the state. You
will need to contact the Department of Parks and Wildlife for such data. Detailed information about stolen boat searches
can also be found in the resources and guidelines sections of
our website. Visit the resources and guidelines sections of our
website for additional information about stolen boats.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax: Sales and use taxes
apply to registered boats in Texas. Check with the
Department of Revenue for more information in this regard.
Personal Property
Tax: Recreational boats are not subject to personal property
tax assessments in Texas.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in
Texas. However,
you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be
subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is
highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage
purposes or when making a loan on the boat.
Operator Requirements
Personal Requirements: Age limitations and
boater education requirements apply to boat operators in
Texas. Visit the referrals for this overview for the most current age
and boater education requirements.
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Texas must be immediately reported
to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Information for doing so can be found in the
referrals for this overview.
Notifications: The TDPW must be notified whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency:
The primary boating law enforcement agency in Texas is the Department of
Parks and Wildlife. However, all enforcement
agencies are authorized to implement boating rules and
regulations.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections