Boats and Motor Registration
The Orange County Tax Office collects for boat/motor title and registration on behalf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. You may pay these fees in cash at the Tax Office in Orange or Vidor, Texas, or through any Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Field Office. If you have any questions concerning boat/motor registration and title information, such as registration/title fees, please visit Texas Parks and Wildlife website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us or feel free to contact the Orange County Tax Office. To download various forms relating to boat registration, go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Forms Page.
Effective January 1, 1994 all vessels and outboard motors were required to be titled. Exceptions are canoes, kayaks, punts, rubber rafts and rowboats when they are paddled, poled, oared or windblown. If a sailboat is less than 14 feet and meets the above criteria, it is not required to be registered or titled. However, all sailboats 14 feet in length or longer require registration and titling. Electric and battery-powered outboard motors are not required to be titled.
Vessels that are currently registered and not titled need only be titled when transferred. Currently owned outboard motors under 12 horsepower may also be titled at the time ownership is transferred.
If you want to renew the registration of a boat that is registered in your name, submit a copy of your registration card, or a copy of your title, along with cash for the renewal fee. The Tax Office receipt will allow you to lawfully operate the boat for 90 days until your Certificate of Number and decals are received.
SCHEDULE OF FEES
Texas Certificate of Number (Boat Registration - TX Number)
| If the Boat is .... | Then the Fee is .... |
| Less than 16 fee in length | $30.00 |
| 16 feet but less than 26 feet in length | $50.00 |
| 26 feet but less than 40 feet in length | $70.00 |
| 40 fee in length or longer | $90.00 |
| Livery boat less than 16 feet in length | $30.00 |
| If the transaction is a ... | Then the Fee is ... |
| Correction | $10.00 |
| Transfer of Ownership | $10.00 |
| Duplicate Texas Certificate of Number | $10.00 |
| State Assigned Serial/Hull I.D. Number | $25.00 |
Texas Certificate of Title for a Boat
| If for ... | Then the Fee is ... |
| Original Title | $25.00 |
| Transfer of Title (return assigned title) | $25.00 |
| Correction (return present negotiable title) | $25.00 |
Texas Certificate of Title For An Outboard Motor
| If for ... | Then Fee is ... |
| Original Title | $25.00 |
| Transfer of Title (return assigned title) | $25.00 |
| Correction (return present negotiable title) | $25.00 |