Selling a Boat in Texas: Seller and Buyer Checklist (2026)

Follow a Texas boat sale checklist covering the title, PWD 143, PWD 1340, tax paperwork, HIN verification, buyer delivery documents, and the separate trailer process.

Published: 2026-10-29 · Updated: 2026-10-29 · 7 min

Quick answer: the boat and trailer follow different Texas workflows

For a Texas boat sale, the buyer normally applies through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) with PWD 143 and the assigned title. The seller should complete the title assignment, provide a bill of sale, and file PWD 1340 to notify TPWD of the ownership change. A boat trailer is handled separately through the county tax assessor-collector and Texas DMV process.

Use the Texas boat title transfer guide for title processing. This page focuses on the sale handoff and the documents each party should retain.

Texas seller checklist

  1. Locate the current Texas title and confirm the HIN matches the hull.
  2. Resolve any lien and keep the lien release with the transaction record.
  3. Complete the seller section and assignment exactly as TPWD instructs.
  4. Write a bill of sale with the vessel description, HIN, sale price, date, and buyer details.
  5. File PWD 1340 after the sale and keep the submission record.
  6. Give the buyer the title, bill of sale, registration materials, and any original documents TPWD requires.

Do not combine the trailer title with the boat title. Tell the buyer which paperwork belongs to the trailer and which office handles it.

Texas buyer checklist

  • Inspect and photograph the HIN before payment.
  • Confirm the seller name and signatures match the title.
  • Complete PWD 143 and gather the title, bill of sale, tax information, and identification.
  • Ask TPWD whether PWD 504 HIN verification or another form applies to the transaction.
  • Submit the boat title and registration package promptly and keep copies.

TPWD's current instructions control the applicable tax deadline and fees. Check the official TPWD boating forms page before filing.

When the Texas title is missing

Do not close a sale on the assumption that the buyer can fix every missing-title problem. Ask TPWD whether the seller should obtain a duplicate title or whether a bonded or administrative path applies. The seller should document the agency instruction in writing before accepting payment.

For a boat purchased outside Texas, preserve the prior state title and registration records. For a boat with an altered HIN, unresolved lien, or unclear ownership chain, pause and contact TPWD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What form does a Texas seller file after selling a boat?
The seller should review and file TPWD Form PWD 1340, Ownership Transfer Notification, and keep the submission record.
Does the buyer use PWD 143?
PWD 143 is the main TPWD vessel and boat application used for title, registration, and related tax processing.
Is a Texas boat trailer transferred with the boat?
No. The trailer follows a separate county tax assessor-collector and Texas DMV process.

Sources

  1. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Boat Forms (https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/forms/)
  2. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Boats and Watercraft (https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/)

This information is provided for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep data accurate and up-to-date, registration requirements, fees, and regulations may change without notice. Always contact your state's official registration agency for the most current and authoritative information before making any decisions.