A Texas boat bill of sale is a written record of a boat sale that shows the date, the price, the buyer and the seller's signature. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) requires a signed bill of sale or invoice for every transfer of ownership.[5] It does not replace the title, which the seller must also deliver to the buyer.[1.3] Use the free template below or build one online.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Texas law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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Texas requires a signed bill of sale or invoice for every transfer of ownership of a boat or an outboard motor.[5] The document records the sale between the buyer and the seller.
A handwritten receipt or sales invoice must contain these items, as required by state tax law:[4.1]
The seller must also complete and sign the sales price (not including the trailer), the date of sale and the trade-in information.[5]
TPWD asks for a signed bill of sale from the person or people listed on the title, or from their legally documented representative.[2]
| Topic | What Texas says |
| Bill of sale | A signed bill of sale or invoice is required for every transfer of ownership.[5] |
| Contents | Date of sale, sales price, description of the vessel, purchaser's name and seller's signature.[4.1] |
| Title | Transfer of ownership requires a properly assigned negotiable title.[4.3] |
| Seller | Delivers the endorsed certificate of title to the buyer.[1.3] |
| Seller's notice | Notify TPWD by the 20th day after the transfer.[1.1] |
| Buyer | Applies for a certificate of title by the 45th day after the sale.[1.2] |
| Recorded lien | To transfer ownership of a boat with a recorded lien, a release of lien must be provided.[4.2] |
More options are in our Texas bill of sale templates. For a general overview, read this article or the boat bill of sale guide.
The bill of sale is one part of a Texas boat sale. After it is signed, the title changes hands, the seller reports the transfer and the buyer applies for a new title. Each step has its own deadline or condition.
The buyer of a vessel or outboard motor must apply to TPWD or to a county tax assessor-collector for a certificate of title. The deadline is the 45th day after the date of the sale.[1.2] You can count the days from the sale date with our deadline calculator.
To request a Texas title or registration for a boat, you use the Vessel/Boat Application (Form PWD 143).[6] TPWD offers the form for download on its Boat Forms webpage.[5]
To transfer the ownership of a vessel or outboard motor with a recorded lien, a release of lien must be provided.[4.2] TPWD Form PWD 231 is the release of lien form, and it states the following.[3]
The signature must be notarized. Forms without notary will not be accepted.
Proof of ownership depends on the boat. The ownership of a vessel or an outboard motor that is not new is evidenced by a certificate of title issued by TPWD. The ownership of a new vessel or a new outboard motor is evidenced by a manufacturer's or an importer's certificate.[2]
Numbering is a separate rule from the title. Under Section 31.021 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, each vessel on the water of this state must be numbered unless specifically exempted. No person may operate a vessel, or dock, moor or store a vessel the person owns, on the water of this state unless it is numbered as the chapter requires.[1.4]
To write a Texas boat bill of sale, work through the 14 parts of the FormsPal template from top to bottom. Fill in the online builder above, or download the PDF and complete it in the PDF editor before you print and sign it. Each step below names the part of the template and shows where the answer goes.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Texas boat bill of sale template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
These answers cover the paperwork for selling a boat, transferring a boat title and releasing a lien in Texas. They come from Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, which are listed under Sources. Check each deadline against the date of your own sale.
Transfer of ownership requires a properly assigned negotiable title. Properly assigned means all information is correct and complete. That includes the purchaser's name and address and the signature of the person authorized to sell.[4.3] The buyer then applies to TPWD or to a county tax assessor-collector for a certificate of title not later than the 45th day after the date of the sale.[1.2]
The ownership of a new vessel or a new outboard motor is evidenced by a manufacturer's or an importer's certificate executed on a form prescribed by the department. For a boat that is not new, the ownership is evidenced by a certificate of title issued by TPWD.[2]
The seller must deliver to the buyer a certificate of title for the vessel or outboard motor in the name of the seller and properly endorsed to show the transfer.[1.3] A signed bill of sale or invoice is also required for every transfer of ownership.[5] If the boat has a recorded lien, a release of lien must be provided.[4.2]
Yes, on the TPWD release of lien form. The signature must be notarized, and forms without a notary will not be accepted.[3]
You need these documents to transfer a boat title in Texas:
General information, not legal or tax advice.
