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Bill of Sale (Requirements)
Texas does not provide specific requirements for a standalone bill of sale. These elements are commonly found in a bill of sale.
- Buyer’s information
- Full name
- Address
- Seller’s information
- Full name
- Address
- Vehicle information
- Vehicle description (year, make, model)
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Sale information
- Date of sale
- Purchase price
- Signatures
- Buyer’s signature
- Seller’s signature
How to Register a Vehicle
When purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, it is recommended that both buyer and seller appear at your local County Tax Office with the following paperwork:
- Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Bill of Sale: Optional, but helpful as supporting proof of the transaction.
- Current Driver License or Government-Issued Photo Identification
- Out-of-State Registration Receipt: May be used if you are not surrendering the out-of-state title.
- Proof of Current Vehicle Insurance
- Title
- Title and Registration Fees
Out-of-State Purchase
- Out-of-State Registration Receipt
- Title
Notes
- If required, obtain a Texas vehicle inspection before registration.
- Beginning January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a Texas safety inspection, but commercial vehicles still do.
- Residents of these counties must still obtain a passing emissions inspection before registration: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (Vehicle Title and Registration Information for New Texans)
How to Register a Vessel
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is the leading authority in Texas, enforcing the mandate that, should you choose to use a boat within the jurisdiction, you will be required to furnish registration and a certificate of title for your vessel. All watercraft propelled by vessel or sail with an outboard motor will be required to register and title with the state of Texas with the exemption of:
- Boats with active registration in another state or country that plan to utilize Texas waters for no more than 90 consecutive days in a calendar year.
- Sailboats are not equipped with an outboard motor with a length of 14 feet or fewer.
- Government-owned watercraft.
- Documented vessels.
Remember that you have 20 days from the date of purchase to register and/or title a vessel to avoid an enforced penalty. Compile the following forms and required paperwork to present in-person, at your closest county tax assessor’s office or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facility:
- A filled-out and endorsed Texas Vessel/Boat Application (Form PWD-143).
- If the boat is equipped with an outboard motor, a completed Texas Verification of Vessel Outboard Motor Serial Number (Form PWD-144).
- An executed bill of sale.
- Valid evidence of Ownership, such as a manufacturer’s certificate of origin for newly purchased vessels or a reassigned title and prior owner’s registration for private party sales.
- If the boat has never been titled or registered in Texas, include a finalized Texas Affidavit of Fact (Form PWD-314).
- Photo identification via an up-to-date driver’s license or identification card.
- Payment for fees associated with titling and registration of the vessel.
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