I am planning on buying a used boat. And I have seen storys on fake titles. How do you know if a title is real or fake?
Thanks for any help.

If you are buying it from an individual, take the registration numbers to a TPWD office and they can tell you in a minute who owns the boat, another way might be contact your local GW and ask him to check the registration numbers for you.

You can go to the TP&W website and run the TX number and find out who the registered owner is and if there is a lein on the boat.

You also need to find out if there is a lien on the boat, motor or trailer. If the titles are authentic, the lien holder or "secured party" will be listed on the front. IF the loan has been paid off, there will be a notorized and dated signature from the lender. Most lenders will also provide a writen "reliese of lien" that goes with the paperwork. Your state would also have a record of the lien on any of the pieces that require titles in your state. The chart we use shows that Texas titles both boats and motors. The other question is what state the seller is in, they may have different rules than yours. It is WAY BETTER to get this stuff straight before spending any money. Let us know if we can help with anything. Thanks, Ken, Todd & Chris

Thanks for the help. I just did not want to get into a bad deal with title problems. I think in Texas you have to have a title for the boat and motor and I don't know about the trailer. It maybe better going thru my bank and then just pay it off. Thanks again for all the help....

I just went through all of this and had to contact the seller again 3 times, big pain if not done proper.

They seller needs to sign title to the boat, motor and trailer. Along with a tax form for the boat and motor.

Its also a good idea to get a bill of sale and have it notarized
If it has a lein then they also need to sign the release of lein and the title
its a bunch of paperwork

It does not matter where the financing is done, title work is a state issue. Whoever you borrow money from will want to see a clear title first, then their lien placed properly. The chart we have shows TX needing titles on boat and motor, not trailer. Please check with your state office to be sure, rules change all the time and no "do overs".

Just DON'T fall for this scenario that is played out HUNDREDS of times on naive would-be boat buyers!...............

Purchaser.....Do you have the title?

Seller......Well, actually this boat is titled in my Grandfather's name, rest his soul. I never did have it transferred, just too .......broke up.

Purchaser......Can you get a title?

Seller.........ANYBODY can get a title for this boat!....real easy! Just take it to TPWD and show them this BILL UHHH SALE!

Purchaser.....Will they give me a title with just a Bill Of Sale?

Seller........SURRRRRRE! no problem! They do it all the time!

Purchaser.....Why don't YOU get a title?

Seller.......I am selling the boat REAL CHEAP to save someone the money so THEY can get the title! I'm still broke up over Granddad.

Purchaser.......Ok! I'll take it!!!


DON'T!!!

I've lived in quite a few states and texas is the only one that requires a title. Texas loves to tax anything. I'm suprised they don't require a title to the motor and trans in my car too. That said it's not hard to get a title to boat and motor here. HIN # and sreial # to outboard. I had to provide them with a pencil rub of HIN# of boat bill of sale helps also if it's not stolen they will issue titles after taxes are paid.

Except your income..