How to Register an Abandoned Boat in Texas

Texas law changed following Hurricane Rita, in response to problems over abandoned and lost boats. The registration process became much more difficult and thorough verification of ownership is required before the state will release a title to any boat. Before you start you must get your documents together and present them as required to the Parks and Wildlife Department. The process can be frustrating.

Things You'll Need

  • Camera
  • Tape measure
  • Bill-of-Sale form
  • Affadavit of Fact Form
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife Boat Registration Form
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the boat. Locate the serial number on the hull. This number is most often on the transom or somewhere near the aft end of the hull. Photograph the boat and the serial number on the hull. You'll need the number and photos to do a title search. Measure the boat's beam (width) and length. Record all this information. If the boat is motorized or is a sailboat over 14 feet, you must register it in the state of Texas with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

    • 2

      Obtain a bill of sale for the boat, if at all possible. Even if the person gave you the boat, get him to fill out and notarize a bill of sale. Gather any other paperwork you can find that applies to the boat, including old registration papers, owner's manuals or bills of sale. Online forms can be downloaded from the websites below. You'll need the name and address of the seller. The BOS should include your name and address as buyer, a written description of the boat, the serial number on the hull, the license plate number off the boat trailer, if there is one, and the date the boat was given to you. If you know the previous owner, you'll need his name and address. If the boat was taken for storage fees, then you will need to document that information to obtain title to the boat.

    • 3

      Conduct a title search for any liens on the boat, history and prior records of registration. You can hire boat title companies to do this or attempt to do it yourself. A title company can greatly speed up the process. File a PWD 763 form with TDPW and include any information you can find about liens, titles and prior registrations. The form is available from TDPW or your local tax assessor-collector. If you find the last owner of record, you must contact him for a bill of sale or any pertinent paperwork. You may find you have to pay off liens against the boat, or pay the last owner of record something to clear the title.

    • 4

      Fill out an application for title form provided by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. If you have a bill of sale, attach a copy to the application. They will also want a copy of your driver's license with the application. If you cannot obtain a bill of sale, you will have to report the boat as abandoned and fill out an Affidavit of Fact using the forms provided by TDPW. It may take some time for the TDPW to verify your information and cancel the old registration, if there is one. You will not be able to obtain a new title until the old registration is canceled and the owner notified and given time to respond, if he can be found.

    • 5

      File the application for title, including all the paperwork you've collected, and pay the fees. You may also have to pay registration fees with the U.S. Coast Guard, especially if it's a larger seagoing vessel or used for commercial purposes. The folks at TDPW can tell you whether the boat requires a Coast Guard inspection and registration or not.