My father in law is selling me a boat. It is registered out of state (TN). I of course want to register it in Texas under my name. What steps do I need to take? I'd figure registration for the boat, plates for the trailer, bill of sale, and title transfer. I'd also figure half is through TPWD and the other half through DPS or tax office. Do I need to do anything prior to bringing the boat here?

TPWD does the boat, count tax offices do the trailer. TPWD website has forms and such. Some states register outboards separately, others do not.

You will need the out of state title documentation.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 3/7/2012 5:42p).]

Thanks, man.

FYI, Texas Titles boat and outboard motors separately, but registration only on the boat.

A quick search says that boats are not titled in TN at all, so you should just need the TN registration certificate and TPWD forms PWD143/PWD144 need to be signed by the seller. YOu need to complete PWD 504 (pencil tracing the hull and motor IDs.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/boat/registration_and_titles/#faq15


Give your local office a call if you have some more questions, some are very helpful, others not so much:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/owner/office_locations/

As Mouth said, trailer is at the tax office and you will need the bill of sale(have it itemized with boat/motor and trailer) and the old registration to get it registered in Texas. Have the trailer serial number handy. Boat trailers("small" trailers in general) are not titled in Texas.


[This message has been edited by Brad06ag (edited 3/8/2012 7:20a).]