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Registration Services for Boats and Yachts

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Documentation Services

Mail YachtCloser Documentation files to:

1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 2300

Miami, FL 33131

Phone: (954) 361-2411
Fax: (954) 951-5583


Owner Information
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  • Physical Address

  • Will the boat be Documented/Titled in company or trust name?

Vessel Information
Selling Dealer


YachtCloser Documentation is the #1 closing service for new and used boats and yachts seeking Coast Guard Documentation or State Registration services. We streamline the closing process with our sophisticated contracting software and integration with YachtCloser.com. Contact YachtCloser Documentation at:

1221 Brickell Ave, Suite 2300

Miami, FL 33131

Phone: (954) 361-2411

Fax: (954) 951-5583

Our goal at YachtCloser is to simplify every part of the process of selling and buying a boat. We will work directly with each party involved to complete all necessary closing documents, and even update the brokers YachtCloser account with all pertinent finalized documents for the closing.


Key Benefits

Boat Buyers / Sellers / Brokers

  • We are the only Coast Guard Documentation service with direct integration to YachtCloser.com, the industry's leading listing and transactional portal

  • YachtCloser represents over 200 brokerage companies in the industry

  • Over $8 Billion in active boat and yacht contracts are currently housed in YachtCloser and over $60 Million in vessel transactions take place using our software every month 

  • The Broker can engage services at the click of a button and documents are prepared quickly and accurately as information flows directly from the Brokers YachtCloser account

  • Due to the Information being auto-populated from the transaction portal, this ensures accuracy of information and lien perfection (e.g. Hull #'s, Engine Serial #'s, etc. all auto-populate from original paperwork)

  • We have access to all forms needed in YachtCloser so we are prepared and you are not bothered with multiple requests

  • A completed closing packet is automatically uploaded to the brokers YachtCloser account

About Documentation

What is Coast Guard Documentation

Vessel documentation is a national form of registration. It is one of the oldest functions of Government, dating back to the 11th Act of the First Congress. Documentation provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes, provides for unhindered commerce between the states, and admits vessels to certain restricted trades, such as coastwise trade and the fisheries. Since 1920, vessel financing has been enhanced through the availability of preferred mortgages on documented vessels. 

US Coast Guard documentation of a vessel is considered the preferred method of recording ownership of your boat with the government. As a national form of registration, you receive benefits that would not otherwise be available under state registration and is generally considered a more prestigious form of registry.

Benefits of Coast Guard Documentation

Cruising Foreign Waters

Customs officials universally recognize a US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation as proof of ownership and authentication of the boat’s origin. If you travel to foreign waters, your Certificate of Documentation immediately provides you with the protection and the status that comes from the US Government. This also facilitates a smooth entry and clearance at foreign ports.

Title Assurance

The US Coast Guard holds strict requirements to ensure each documented vessel will have a clear and irrefutable history of ownership. A record of all transactions, including bills of sale, mortgages, and satisfactions, are kept by the National Vessel Documentation Center as the “chain of title.” Establishing this chain of title enables owners of documented vessels to expedite transfers of ownership and refinancing. Documentation of a vessel also becomes helpful when tracking stolen vessels across state lines with the federally documented record of ownership

Marking the Vessel

Each boat documented with the US Coast Guard is given an “official number” which remains the same throughout the life of the boat. The owner is required to place the number on the interior structure of the hull. For vanity’s sake, marking the interior of the hull provides a more desirable appearance. For practicality purposes, it is simple to have one number assigned for the duration of ownership that is accessible while aboard the boat. 

Financing

The National Vessel Documentation Center provides a trusted chronicling of ownership and lien recordation that is preferred by lenders. For this reason, when financing your vessel, most lenders will require the boat is US Coast Guard documented. If the lender does not require USCG documentation, they may still provide better terms if you agree to have the boat documented with the Coast Guard. The “First Preferred Ships Mortgage” filed with the Coast Guard is acceptable collateral and enforceable throughout the U.S., its territories, and some foreign countries.

 

 

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