I recently bought a used boat through a dealer and found out that the trailer title is missing and now the dealer is going through the process of a bonded title. Does anyone know what this process consists of? I have spoke with the guy handling my boat but I was wanting to get clarification as I am seeing different things. Does the DMV need to reach out to the original owner and give them 30 days to respond? I am not sure how this process works. Thank you for any responses.

It is really not that big of a deal. A title bond is essentially an insurance policy on a title that has been lost. All you need to do is wait until the bonded title is in the dealer's name, then you can proceed. In Texas, you have to wait 2 or 3 years to get a clear title, but in the meantime, if the previous owner does 'show up', the bond will pay and you will be fine.

Thank you for your reply!

I just had a trailer and boat transferred Last week, not title need for boat trailers less than 4,000 lbs or 7,500
Lbs I believe.
I have a trailer for my mud rig, they would not take or transfer title.

My new trailer I had transferred for my bass boat last week has a GVR of 5,400lbs but was told they don’t title trailers anymore unless I just wanted to. All I had was a bill of sale and and MSO, took 5 minutes to transfer to my name from seller.

Were you told this by your county's tax office? Or from the guy at the dealer? It sounds like someone is giving out some misinformation.


From the TXDMV site: " Registration is always required for a trailer, but the need for a title is based on the trailer weight. If the trailer is over 4,000 pounds gross weight (empty plus carrying capacity) it must be titled, but if it is 4,000 pounds gross weight (empty plus carrying capacity) or less, titling is optional. If the trailer was previously titled, it must continue to be titled."

This is simply not accurate, I just titled mine two weeks ago at tax office in Dallas County and the person I sold my old boat to did his today, it was 5400gvr as well.

I wonder if they've changed their policy but not updated the site? So, did you register but NOT Title yours?
I wonder as i recently purchased an older boat with titles for B&M but not the trailer, the guy registered as a homebuilt even though its clearly factory made. but it's never been titled in its 26 years afaik.

Your trailer will not need a title regardless of how it was made. I registered mine but not title, I was told no need to title the trailer, its a waste of money, I asked if I needed to title it and was told no unless I just wanted to.
I have three boat trailers, two had a title but they don't transfer of use them anymore. \

All you will need is a bill of sale.

Just bought my current boat back in April........boat title,motor title but trailer is only registered

I bought mine back in April too. Trailer was licensed and titled by the dealer. I guess it varies?

Bought mine second hand........trailer registered/tagged at the county courthouse,had to go to TPWD in Abilene to register and title boat and motor.

I purchased a boat last year and the trailer title still shows a lien even though the boat and motor are clear. I was able to register and tag the trailer but the title isn't in my name. The county tax/tag informed me I can do a bonded title to get it in my name. If you want I'll post a picture of the paper they gave me detailing the instructions.

My son in law bought a small not quite 14 foot boat from a guy who was trying to turn it into a bass style boat inside. The guy siad he could get the title but can't find it. WE know the person who originally had the title through his wife. She said getting it should be no problem until she told her husband. Haven't heard from them again. He is probably using the numbers on this boat on another boat he has. I even told this to the Austin TPW person who was very nasty to ME over the phone. The paperwork to fill out is confusing as hell, from the TPW, on top of it all. We were looking for a vin on the trailer to no avail...told to go to CC impound yard on 1st or 3rd Tuesday between 9-11 am the police will look it over for 40 bucks cash non-refundable. If no vin is found they will then tell us what to do next. We will use the boat as a row boat which it was but motor was on it which we took off. Just want to get trailer done at this point. Will try to figure out paperwork to send to Austin and hear from them in 2 to 6 months they said. Anyone have a better way speak up. It's in MY backyard since he bought it... I could blow it up but I want to see what we can do first.

if a trailer is titled in texas you have to have the original title to transfer it the old homemade or shop built trailer deal doesnt work if the county knows how to do it right.

The "homemade" trailer thing used to be easy. Now, the weight certificate, DMV inspection, application for an assigned number, a title application and fee, makes it cumbersome and expensive. My cost was $144, plus three road trips, before I got the plate. I asked why a 600 pound trailer had to be titled, and they said: "If we give you an assigned number, we require a title, regardless of weight". State of Texa$$! TexasJim