Obtain titles and register your water vessels at any GCTO office!  The La Marque Parks and Wildlife office continues to provide services to customers and, of course, online services through the TPWD are available 24/7. We continue to be hopeful that online services will become available in the future.

Although the County boasts more than 15,000 water vessels, registration and titling is not limited to county residents, thus, visitors from across Texas may obtain service when visiting Galveston County. For those purchasing a new or used boat, ours is a one-stop-shop as the boat, outboard motor (if appropriate) and trailer may be registered in our office at the same time. Out of county customers must title trailers in their county of residence unless they have a second home in Galveston County then the trailer may be registered at that address. An additional bonus of doing business with us is that we accept credit cards.

TPWD requires all motorboats, outboard motors and sailboats 14’ or larger (or those with an auxiliary engine) to be registered. Canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, rubber rafts and vessels less than 14’ (if paddled, poled, oared or windblown as long as a trolling motor has not been added) are exempt, as are out-of-country vessels temporarily using Texas waterways, those owned by a governmental entity and ship lifeboats. Only US Coast Guard documented vessels (commercial tugboats, vessels exceeding 115' in length and pilot or crew boats transporting freight, supplies or personnel to or from cargo ships, freighters or offshore infrastructure) are exempt from applying for a Texas title but these vessels must be registered. Certificate of documentation MUST be current in order to renew registration - once expired it could take several months to obtain a current certificate through the US Coast Guard office in New Jersey.

Basic Information

• Registrations may be renewed up to 90 days prior to expiration and are valid for a period of two years. A Certificate of Number ID Card will be issued at the time of registration (with decals). The ID card must always be aboard and available for inspection. Replacement ID cards are available at our office for $11.
• Since September 2016, the Federal government requires a valid drivers license and date of birth be verified and recorded for individuals registering and titling boats and motors. Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) are required for companies, businesses, trusts, estates or other entity. Please be prepared to provide that information at the time of service.
• If you move, change of address can be completed at no cost by submitting form PWD 143M or by sending a letter, including your boat TX number/hull/serial identification number along with your new mailing address (signature required) to any GCTO office.
• Residents new to Texas have up to 90 days to register their boat in the State
• Applications for title (whether purchase, donation, gift, destruction, disposal or removal from State) must be filed within 20 working days from purchase to avoid tax penalties and interest.
• New boats and outboard motors require a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). If a private sale, we encourage both seller and buyer to complete ownership transfer so that seller's avoid future liability. Sellers may download and complete the Vessel/Boat or Outboard Motor Ownership Transfer form. TPWD offers a simple online tool to accomplish this change (see link below under Titling section).

Registration Renewals

Husbands and wives with the same last name and address)may renew registration. An owner may designate someone to perform the renewal on their behalf by completing a Letter of Authorization. A representative must present a valid government issued photo identification.

• Online through TPWD or Texas Online. The decal and ID card will be mailed by TPWD. When renewing online, print the receipt and carry it with you when boating. The receipt may be used for up to 45 days from the date on the receipt. US Coast Guard (USCG) documented vessels are not eligible for online registration renewal.
• Mail the required fee (check or money order) with the renewal notice in the envelope provided by TPWD or to our office (722 Moody, Galveston, Texas 77550). If you do not receive the renewal notice or misplace it, send the required fee along with a completed PWD 143M to TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 or to us.
• Renew in person at a TPWD Field Office or any Galveston County Tax Office branch (see our homepage for locations and, through this summer, call toll free 1-877-766-2284 so that we can validate full service at an office nearest you).

Registration Fees

• Less than 16':* $32.00
• From 16' to 26': $53.00
• From 26' to 40': $110.00
• Over 40': $150.00

* Including livery boats less than 16'

Titling Your Boat

Water vessels must be titled within 20 working days from date of purchase in order to avoid penalties and interest. Homemade boats must be titled directly through TPWD. New boats and outboard motors require a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). If a private sale, we encourage both seller and buyer to complete ownership transfer so that seller's avoid future liability. Sellers may download and complete the Vessel/Boat or Outboard Motor Ownership Transfer form (TPWD PWD 1340.Ownership Transfer Notification.pdf). TPWD offers a simple online tool to accomplish this change.

The seller must complete the tax affidavit portion of form PWD 143 and/or form PWD 144, sign and date each. If the boat or outboard motor is required to be titled, the seller must provide either the MSO, Texas title OR out--of-state title/registration (whichever is appropriate by that state). The seller must print the name of the purchaser, sign and date the title. The brown colored titles have space on the back of the title to complete the bill of sale information. If a hand written bill of sale is provided instead of the title or sales tax affidavit portion of the form, LIST THE PRICE OF THE TRAILER SEPARATELY FROM THE PRICE OF THE BOAT AND OUTBOARD MOTOR. The bill of sale MUST include the date of sale, price (excluding trailer), description of the boat and outboard motor (make, year and TX or serial number), the purchaser's name and seller's signature.

The purchaser must obtain the signed title along with a bill of sale and should complete the rest of the application and sign. Do NOT purchase a used boat or motor without obtaining a signed title and a bill of sale from the titled seller or their legal representative (obtain copy of authorizing document). A pencil tracing or photograph of the boat hull/identification and/or motor identification/serial number is required if the boat/motor is from out of state or not previously titled. Submit the application, title, supporting documents, fees and taxes within 20 days to avoid penalty and interest. Then, enjoy your boat!

Frequently Used Forms

The following are forms you are most likely to use along with a brief explanation of each. Additional forms are available on the TPWD site.

Fee Chart for all boat and outboard motor related items

Abandoned Boat or Motor Request for Bonded Title - submitted to Austin only - used to request title review for abandoned boat or motor left on private property with the consent of the property owner for more than seven days

Affidavit of Heirship for Boat or Motor - used when owner is deceased to establish heir

Affidavit or Statement of Facts - used to request TPWD to consider issuing bonded title for boat or motor

Application for Title and Registration - used to apply for title and registration for a new boat, transfer ownership of a used boat, apply for registration for a USCG documented vessel and pay "sales tax only" on boats 65' and smaller

Application for Outboard Motor Title Application

Bonded Title Application - submitted to Austin only - used to ask TPWD to issue a bonded title for boat and/or motor that does not qualify for standard titling because properly assigned title or required documentation cannot be obtained

Boat Maintenance/Registration Renewal - used to renew registration, replace a lost or destroyed title, replace decals, Certificate of Number ID card, or change/correct name, mailing address or boat description

Letter of Authorization - used to authorize an individual other than an owner to process their registration or title transaction - NOT a power of attorney

Limited Power of Attorney - used for boats or motors to designate a representative to conduct business and sign documents on behalf of another

Military Fee Exemption - used by military personnel to be deployed to serve in a hostile fire zone for exemption from payment of certain fees including transfer of ownership, certificate of title fees and any other fees and taxes that apply and are due at time of application

Motor Maintenance - used to replace lost or destroyed motor title, change/correct name, mailing address or motor description

Ownership History Report - used to obtain a computer print out of the current and historical owners and documents of a boat and/or motor - sent to Austin Headquarters for processing

Ownership Transfer Notification - used to remove seller's name from boat or motor title - required by law

Release of Lien for Boat or Motor - used by lien holder to release a lien

Request to Skip Titling Requirements of Previous Owner - used by person who purchased or acquired a boat or motor and title is in the name of a prior owner -faxed to Austin for processing

Rights of Survivorship Ownership Agreement for Boat or Motor - used when primary owner and co-owner agree that ownership of a boat or motor will vest in and belong to the other in the event of the death of either

Verification of Boat or Motor Serial Number - used to verify serial number/hull ID on boats and/or motors

Final Note from Tax Assessor Collector

There are many complexities associated with boat ownership and we may need to conduct some research to provide the best service possible. Please be patient. If we are unable to help or your question is complex, please call the TPWD Boat Information Hotline at 1-800-262-8755.

Thank you and happy boating!

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer