Texas Boat Bill of Sale: What You Need

1. Agency

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) handles vessel and outboard motor titles and registration. Trailers go through the county tax office.

Agency text: “TPWD is required by 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 1, 2000. Trailers are handled through the local county tax office and the price of the trailer must be separated from the price of the boat and motor.”

Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/title-registration-id-requirements/tax-and-bill-of-sale-requirements. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

2. Bill of sale rule / state form

TPWD requires a signed bill of sale or invoice for every transfer of ownership. Three options: (1) TPWD form PWD 143 (vessel) or PWD 144 (outboard motor), completed and signed by the seller; (2) a handwritten receipt or sales invoice with date of sale, price (not including trailer), vessel/motor description (make, serial number, model year), buyer's name, and seller's signature; or (3) the back of a TPWD (brown) title completed with price, buyer's name, and seller's signature.

Agency text: “A signed bill of sale or invoice is required for every transfer of ownership. One of the following is acceptable to meet the bill of sale or invoice requirement: Form PWD 143/144 application... Handwritten Receipt or Sales Invoice - must contain date of sale, sales price (not including trailer), description of vessel/boat and/or outboard motor (make, serial number, and model year), purchaser's name(s), and seller's signature(s).”

Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/title-registration-id-requirements/tax-and-bill-of-sale-requirements. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

3. Notary / witness rule

TPWD's pages do not list a notary rule for the bill of sale. Call TPWD at the number on its site if you have questions.

Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/title-registration-id-requirements/tax-and-bill-of-sale-requirements. Last checked: 2026-10-14. The agency pages we read do not state a rule on this point.

4. HIN, title, and registration notes

All motorized vessels must be titled, along with all non-motorized vessels 14 feet or longer, and all outboard motors. Do not buy a used boat or outboard motor without the original title signed on front and back plus a signed bill of sale from the person named on the title. Transfer applications must be filed within 45 working days of the purchase date or tax penalties and interest will apply. The recorded owner must notify TPWD within 20 days of a sale (Parks and Wildlife Code 31.037). TPWD does not handle boat trailers; those go through the county tax office.

Agency text: “DO NOT purchase a used vessel/boat or outboard motor without receiving an original title (signed on the front and back) along with a signed bill of sale from the person(s) listed on the title or from their legally documented representative. Applications for transfer of title and ownership must be filed not later than 45 working days from date of purchase, or tax penalties and interest will be applied.”

Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

5. Sales / use tax

TPWD collects a 6.25% tax on the sales price of boats 115 feet or less and outboard motors, due within 45 working days of the sale. New Texas residents bringing a previously titled boat from another state pay a $15 new resident tax instead of sales tax.

Agency text: “The tax rate is 6.25% of the sales price. Tax is assessed at the time of registration/title transfer and is due within 45 working days from the date of sale or date brought to Texas. $15.00 New Resident tax is assessed (not sales tax) for new Texas residents bringing their previously titled or registered boat and/or outboard motor from another state into Texas.”

Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/title-registration-id-requirements/tax-and-bill-of-sale-requirements. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

6. Agency seller / buyer steps

TPWD buying and selling page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/ — Boat forms (PWD 143, PWD 144, and others): https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/ — TPWD office locations: https://tpwd.texas.gov/about/offices/

Agency text: “In a private sale, whenever possible, both the seller and buyer should go to the nearest participating office to transfer the vessel/boat title and registration and outboard motor title into the name of the purchaser.”

Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.