This section sets rules for what a certificate of title must show, how title numbers work, how title may be transferred, and when the department must note prior foreign registration or titling.
Sec. 31.049. FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TITLE. Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2028 (a) A certificate of title must be on a form prescribed by the department and must contain: (1) the name and address of the owner of the vessel or outboard motor; (2) the name of the owner of a security interest in the vessel or outboard motor; and (3) a description of the vessel or outboard motor. Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2028 (a) A certificate of title must be on a form prescribed by the department and must contain: (1) the name and mailing address of the owner of the vessel or outboard motor and, if not all owners are listed, an indication that there are additional owners indicated in the files of the department; (2) the name and mailing address of the owner of a security interest in the vessel or outboard motor and, if not all security interests are listed, an indication that there are additional security interests indicated in the files of the department; (3) a description of the vessel or outboard motor, including, as appropriate, the hull identification number, motor number, outdrive number, make, year, length, vessel type, hull material, propulsion type, engine drive type, fuel type, and horsepower; (4) the date the certificate was issued; (5) all title brands indicated in the files of the department covering the vessel, including brands indicated on a certificate issued by a governmental agency of another jurisdiction and delivered to the department; and (6) a form for the owner of record to indicate, in connection with a transfer of ownership interest, that the vessel is hull damaged. Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2028 (b) If there is no lien on the vessel or outboard motor, the original certificate of title shall be delivered to the owner and a copy retained by the department. Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2028 (b) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 185 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 22(2), eff. January 1, 2028. Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2028 (c) If there is a lien on the vessel or outboard motor, the original certificate of title shall be sent to the first lienholder and a copy shall be retained by the department. Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2028 (c) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 185 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 22(2), eff. January 1, 2028. (d) An original certificate of title bears an assigned title number. A replacement certificate of title consists of a new, printed title that bears a new title number. The previous title number is void when the replacement certificate of title is issued. (e) Title may be transferred by surrender of the original certificate of title properly endorsed to show the transfer, by evidence of an involuntary transfer as defined in Subdivision (5) of Subsection (a) of Section 31.053, or by following the provisions of Subsection (c) of Section 31.053 of this code. Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2028 (f) This chapter does not preclude the department from noting on a certificate of title the name and mailing address of a secured party that is not a secured party of record. Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2028 (g) For each title brand indicated on a certificate of title, the certificate must identify the jurisdiction under whose law the title brand was designated or the jurisdiction that issued the certificate on which the title brand was designated. If the meaning of a title brand is not easily ascertainable or cannot be accommodated on the certificate, the certificate may state: "Previously branded in (insert the jurisdiction under whose law the title brand was designated or that issued the certificate of title on which the title brand was designated)." Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2028 (h) If the files of the department indicate that a vessel was previously registered or titled in a foreign country, the department shall indicate on the certificate of title that the vessel was registered or titled in that country. Added by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1253, ch. 484, Sec. 1(e), eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4061, ch. 636, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 29, 1983; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 450, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 200, Sec. 8(k), eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1133, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 286 (H.B. 1106), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 185 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 13, eff. January 1, 2028. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 185 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 22(2), eff. January 1, 2028.