Abandonded jon boat in Texas?

Question

Hello all

I have just purchased a 12' jon boat with a 15hp motor and trailer from a friend.. The boat was gave to him by one of his friends that didnt have the title but was the original owner. No one has been able to contact the first owner at all.

How should I navigate in getting this thing titled or legal forthe water? Also do I need a title on the moter and trailer as well?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. It seems you have had some experience with this matter.

Thank you

Tom

Answer 1

Go to the TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE office and apply for lost titles, dont to take a bill of sale and all info pertaining to the boat ie; size ,type and hp. The trailer tags you can get at your county tax office and just take in a bill of sale.

Answer 2

Take the TX number and vin # Bill of sale everything you have to DMV> They will tell you the name it was last reg In>>

Answer 3

Since we do not have a "DMV" in Texas, you actually want to contact either your local county tax assessor's office.  Also, you need to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife to clear the Title.

In the source is a form you can look at that tells you what forms you need in the event you don't have the Title

Answer 4

You should be able to have friend write a bill of sale. Take that and hull # ( found on back of transom) to tag office and they should be able to get a lost title application.

Answer 5

I think you can get all this information from your local DMV.