Quick answer
In Texas, registration is required for: All motorized vessels and all sailboats over 14 feet. Registration is handled by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), is valid for 2 years, and fees are summarized as $32.00 to $150.00; purchase tax or local add-ons may still apply.
Official source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) · Source status: Verified · Last checked in site data: August 10, 2026 · All official state agencies
Texas Registration Guides
Use these Texas-specific guides for renewal, title, tax, non-resident, vessel-type, and paperwork questions that need more detail than the state overview.
- Texas Boat Title Transfer: PWD 143 Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
- Texas PWD 143 Form: Boat Title and Registration Application Guide (2026)
- Texas Boat Sales Tax: 6.25% Rate, $18,750 Cap & PWD 143 (2026)
- Texas Non-Resident Boating: 90-Day Rule, Permits & What to Know (2026)
- Texas Bonded Title: How to Register a Boat Without a Title (2026)
- Texas Kayak Registration: Trolling Motor Rules, Exemptions & Requirements (2026)
- Texas Jet Ski & PWC Laws: Age Limits, Sunset Rule & Safety Requirements (2026)
Vessel Types & Exemptions
In Texas, registration is required for: All motorized vessels and all sailboats over 14 feet. There are 3 categories of exempt vessels.
Registration is required for: All motorized vessels and all sailboats over 14 feet
Exempt from registration:
- Non-motorized vessels 14 feet or less
- Vessels used exclusively on private waters
- Vessels documented by the US Coast Guard (still require registration number)
Registration Fees & Costs
Texas boat registration fees can depend on vessel length, type, and other agency rules. Current state data summarizes them as $32.00 to $150.00. Sales/use tax: 6.25% sales/use tax; TPWD lists an $18,750 cap for vessels and outboard motors purchased in Texas on or after September 1, 2019. Title fee information: $27.00.
| Vessel Class | Reg. Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 16 ft | $32.00 | $32.00 |
| 16 ft to less than 26 ft | $53.00 | $53.00 |
| 26 ft to less than 40 ft | $110.00 | $110.00 |
| 40 ft and over | $150.00 | $150.00 |
Sales Tax: 6.25% sales/use tax; TPWD lists an $18,750 cap for vessels and outboard motors purchased in Texas on or after September 1, 2019
Title Fee: $27.00
Lien Recording Fee: $5.00
How to Register Your Boat in Texas
To register a boat in Texas, follow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) process and complete registration within 45 working days for tax/title filing after purchase. Renewals, address updates, replacement items, and seller notification are available online; title transfers usually require original documents. Registration is valid for 2 years.
Registration can be completed:
- Online services: Use the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) portal for services the agency lists online; original documents may still be required for title or ownership transactions.
- In Person: At your local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) office
- By Mail: Download forms from the official website
Documents to Check Before Filing
- Completed state registration application form, if the official agency requires one
- Ownership evidence such as a bill of sale, Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), title, or prior registration
- Valid photo identification when required by the filing office
- Tax or fee payment documentation where applicable
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) details or inspection when requested by the official agency
Texas Boat Title & Title Transfer
Texas title rules: All motorized vessels and sailboats over 14 feet. Title application fee: $27.00. Title transfer fee: $27.00.
Title required: Yes — All motorized vessels and sailboats over 14 feet
Title application fee: $27.00
Title transfer fee: $27.00
Documents to Check for Title or Ownership Transfer
- Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (new vessels)
- Previous title signed by seller (used vessels)
- Bill of Sale or Invoice
- Application for Texas Certificate of Title (PWD 143)
- Valid photo ID
For state-specific paperwork, see Texas Boat Title Transfer: PWD 143 Step-by-Step Guide (2026). For the national process, see our Boat Title Transfer Guide.
Buying or Selling a Boat in Texas
If you are selling a boat in Texas, give the buyer a signed bill of sale, current registration records, and any title or ownership documents required by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). If you are buying, do not rely on the seller's word alone: match the Hull Identification Number (HIN) on the paperwork to the boat and confirm whether liens or title defects exist before paying.
| Transfer item | What to prepare in TX |
|---|---|
| Seller | Signed bill of sale, current registration, and release of interest. If a title document or electronic title release is required, sign or release it exactly as the agency instructs. |
| Buyer | Photo ID, application, payment for registration fees, tax if due, and proof of ownership. Verify the HIN before filing. |
| Title | All motorized vessels and sailboats over 14 feet. Title transfer: $27.00. |
| Tax | 6.25% sales/use tax; TPWD lists an $18,750 cap for vessels and outboard motors purchased in Texas on or after September 1, 2019. |
Selling a Boat in Texas: PWD 143, PWD 1340 & Title Transfer Forms
If you are looking for Texas Parks and Wildlife forms for selling a boat, start with PWD 143 for the vessel transaction and PWD 1340 for seller notification. TPWD says the seller should submit ownership transfer notification within 20 days, while the buyer usually uses PWD 143, ownership documents, and tax payment for the transfer.
| Form | Use it for | Filing note |
|---|---|---|
| PWD 143 - Vessel/Boat Application | Apply for Texas title and registration, transfer ownership of a used vessel, register a USCG documented vessel, or pay sales tax only. | TPWD says completed forms need original signatures and can be submitted at a TPWD office or participating county tax office. |
| PWD 1340 - Boat/Motor Ownership Transfer Notification | Seller notification after a sale, donation, destruction, or permanent removal from Texas records. | TPWD lists an online notification option and a paper form; submit it within 20 days of the sale to help limit the seller's liability. |
| PWD 504 - Verification of Vessel or Outboard Motor Serial Number | Serial-number/HIN verification when TPWD requires a pencil tracing, photograph, or law-enforcement verification. | Use when the existing paperwork does not clearly satisfy the HIN or serial-number verification requirement. |
| PWD 144 - Outboard Motor Application | Title transfer or sales-tax-only filing for an outboard motor when the motor is part of the transaction. | Use this alongside vessel paperwork when the outboard motor has a separate Texas title or tax transaction. |
| PWD 930 - Boat/Motor Tax Calculator | Calculate Texas boat or outboard motor sales/use tax, penalties, and interest for PWD 143 or PWD 144 filings. | Texas vessel and outboard motor sales/use tax is 6.25%; current TPWD fee chart lists an $18,750 cap for purchases on or after September 1, 2019. |
Texas title transfer and tax filings are paperwork-sensitive. TPWD's current tax guidance uses a 45-working-day deadline for vessel and outboard motor sales/use tax filings; verify the latest TPWD form instructions before mailing or visiting an office.
For buyer and seller paperwork, use the boat bill of sale template, check how to look for liens, and compare boat title transfer fees by state.
Texas Boat Registration Renewal
Validity period: 2 years
Texas boat registration renewal follows the same agency channel as initial registration. Renewals, address updates, replacement items, and seller notification are available online; title transfers usually require original documents. Renew before the expiration date to avoid operating with expired registration.
For more details, see our Boat Registration Renewal Guide.
Boater Safety Education Requirements
Texas requires a boater safety course. Born on or after September 1, 1993, operating vessels with 15+ HP or PWCs. The minimum age to operate a vessel is 13.
Required: Yes
Who must complete it: Born on or after September 1, 1993, operating vessels with 15+ HP or PWCs
Accepted courses: TPWD-approved course providers
Course cost: $13 for online course
Minimum age to operate: 13 years old
Registration Number Display Rules
Number format: TX 1234 AB
Minimum font height: 3 inches minimum
Font style: Bold block letters, contrasting color
Placement: Both sides of the forward half of the vessel
Sticker placement: Within 6 inches after the registration number
For federal rules on registration number display, see our Number Display Rules Guide.
How Texas Compares to Neighboring States
| State | Min. Fee | Validity | Title Req. | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $32.00 | 2 years | Yes | 6.25% sales/use tax; TPWD lists an $18,750 cap for vessels and outboard motors purchased in Texas on or after September 1, 2019 |
| Arkansas | $7.50 | 3 years | Yes | Sales tax is collected when due; Arkansas does not charge sales tax on casual individual-to-individual boat sales |
| Louisiana | $36.00 | 3 years | Yes | Louisiana state sales/use tax base plus local tax or R-1331 proof rules when due |
| New Mexico | $60.00 | 3 years | Yes | 5% boat excise tax may apply when a boat required to be registered is titled; confirm value, exemptions, and filing details with MVD |
| Oklahoma | $3.25 | 1 year or 3 years (July 1 – June 30) | Yes | Oklahoma boat excise tax and registration fees are based on the state fee schedule, not a flat sales-tax estimate; confirm the final amount with Service Oklahoma |
Texas Boat Registration FAQ
How much does boat registration cost in Texas?
Can I register my boat online in Texas?
Is a boat title required in Texas?
How long is Texas boat registration valid?
Do I need a boating safety course in Texas?
What is the sales tax on boats in Texas?
Which Texas Parks and Wildlife forms are used when selling a boat?
Start Your Registration
Ready to register your boat in Texas? Visit the official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website or use our tools to estimate costs.
Related Resources
This information is provided for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep data accurate and verified for 2026, registration requirements and fees may change. Contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) at 512-389-4800 for the most current information.