When And How You Should Use A Coast Guard Bill Of Sale

If you are about to get yourself involved on a buy-sell boat transaction you have come to the right place. In this article, we will cover how the United States  Coast Guard bill of sale works. When and how you may need one, what information should be included on it, some common mistakes people make when they prepare one… everything will be covered in this article, so read on and find out!

When to Use a Bill of Sale
The first thing you need to know is that there is no such thing as an ‘official’ bill of sale document, not at least one that runs through the USCG. That doesn’t mean there is not certain standard information that is often included in one. Before we get into that, let us start by defining what this document is. In simple words, it is a kind of paperwork used for transferring the ownership of a watercraft. We are using the word watercraft, and not vessel, or boat, because the former includes yachts that don’t possess an engine.

The more information you get to include on the Coast Guard Bill of Sale, the better. If there is a trailer or a motor taking part in the transaction, they should be included as part of the deal as well, or even in their own bill of sale. Templates can be obtained online. As this document is not formalized there will be slight differences between the drafts.

Bills of sale are used especially when you want to prove that a vessel (and/or trailer and/or engine) has been transferred. This happens particularly when the vessel is not documented with the USCG and will be used to prove the ownership of the boat.

Information you Need to Include on Your Bill of Sale
Now that you have come to an arrangement with the buyer or seller respectively it is time to complete the Coast Guard Bill of Sale. You should begin with the personal details of the people involved in the transaction. Name, surname, mail, phone number, and personal address from both the seller and buyer would be alright.

Afterward, you should then fill the paper with a basic description of the boat. Brand, model, when and where it was built, length, HIN, Title and state registration numbers, and how many kilometers is the odometer reading at the moment would be a very thorough description. To prevent future headaches both to you and the purchaser, if any element of the boat is not working the way it has to, it should be included in the bill of sale. Let’s say, for instance, that the odometer is not counting the kilometers anymore. If that’s the case it is better to write it down. The last detail you should include is the price paid for the transaction.

Every Maritime Documentation can be Found Here
Vessel Documentation Online is the place to go when it comes to any type of maritime paperwork. You can get any type of documentation from our site. For instance, if the vessel you are trying to sell is registered, you can always get a ‘Transfer of Ownership form that can be obtained from our site. If it is not, well, you now know what to do with our Coast Guard Bill of Sale explanation. Contact us today and we will clear any other queries you may have!

Abstract Of Title For Beginners

If you are just taking your first steps in the boating industry, you will probably not be familiar yet with the different boat denominations, or even with the pertinent boat documentation. When people reach us, we are often asked questions like “Does my vessel have to be documented with the United States Coast Guard (USCG)?” or “Does the US Coast Guard registration work at a state level?”

Actually, many of these inquiries can be found answered in the frequently asked questions from our site. What is not answered, as it needs to be properly explained, is what an Abstract of Title is. This article will cover how this document can be obtained and some of the most common questions about it.

What Information Will be Included in the Abstract of Title?
An Abstract of title is a formal document that contains a complete summary of the vessel’s history while it was registered with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Having access to a record of the boat will help you clear any doubts you may have about its precedence, as it is especially thorough when it comes to its own history and financial details.

Every vessel registered with the US Coast Guard is assigned a unique identification number that will stay with the boat regardless of its owner. This number is referred to as the HIN (Hull identification number) and will of course appear in the abstract document.

Furthermore, you will also be briefed on the owner’s history of the vessel. This information is much more detailed than the one you can obtain from a certificate of documentation, as the ownership of the boat can be shared by multiple individuals or even businesses, and you will be able to find each of them on the document.

Additionally, the document will show you the financial details of the boat, like mortgages and liens information or some of the financial encumbrances, as well as how the debts have been resolved.

Finally, but not less important, the filler might decide whether or not to add some more details such as when and where the boat was built. The USCG might also decide to include any other information they consider relevant.

The Reason Behind Getting the Document
What you have just read is a thorough transcription of the information you will generally find on an Abstract of Title. You may be wondering now, what would you do with all the information. The answer is simple: You will be able to double-check the data that the owner has told you. On some occasions (the least) the seller might try to deceive you, selling you something that is not the way he is claiming it is. On some others, he may not even know who the previous owners were, so if you, for instance, notice that the HIN number inscribed on the boat is not the same as the one that comes up in the document, you can tell something dodgy is happening.

Fast Processing of the Abstract of Title
Anyhow, the document can be either requested through our site, Vessel Documentation Online, or with the US Coast Guard. Depending on when the vessel was documented for the first time, the abstract of title might include digitized documents or hard copies, and some references and abbreviations can be hard to understand: do not worry, we can help you with that. Contact us today and get your documentation in no time!

Renewal Vs Reinstatement Explained

Some time ago, you applied for your certificate of documentation. Maybe it was your initial if it was the first time. Perhaps it was your United States Coast Guard USCG renewal, if you remembered on time. Or, there is a chance as well, that it was your reinstatement of the documentation you had to process if some time had passed since your expiry date. In any case, this article will explain the differences between one and another and where to get both of them.

How Much Does My Certificate of Documentation Last?
Let us start first by defining what is the documentation to renew or reinstate. If you have been in the boating world for long enough, then you must know we are talking about the Certificate of Documentation of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). If it is the first time you are getting this document, then it is called the initial certificate of documentation. You will notice boating websites refer to it as the initial or the CoD.

This document will last one year before its expiration if you are registered as a commercial vessel. If the purpose of your boat is recreational, then its registration will last 5 years: from 2022 it is no longer possible to renew the certificate each year.

When is the Best Time to Renew your Certificate of Documentation?
The USCG renewal can be submitted at any point while your CoD is still valid. Keep in mind two things:

If you renew the document 60 days before the expiry date, then this one will change, therefore you would be “giving away” some days to the USCG for free.
If you renew the document up to 30 days after the expiration date has passed, you would be incurring a late fee.
As conclusion, the best time to process the renewal is in the two previous months to the expiry date. Give yourself at least three days to the courier to process the documentation as well! What happens if you are over the 30 days of the expiry date? Let’s find out!

When Do I Need to Reinstate my Certificate of Documentation?
If you are over the 30 days of the expiry date, then you must know it is no longer possible to renew your documentation: you need to go through a whole different process. This process is called reinstatement, and it basically returns the vessel to active status. Keep in mind that this document allows no changes to be made to the document other than the owner changing his or her address.

Reinstatement and Renewal Made Easier
As you can imagine, all of this documentation is available at the US Coast Guard website. On their page, you will notice you can download the forms you need, print it out, fill it up and send it via postal mail.

Of course, you may not have the time to do this, and that is when Vessel Documentation Online comes into place. We are a third-party agency that gives you the possibility of processing all of your documentation, like USCG renewal or reinstatements, online. Our fully encrypted website allows you to complete the forms from the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, it reduces the chances of a mistake from happening, given that you will have an extra pair of eyes overlooking your documentation.

Just look for the correspondent form at the left side of our page, complete it and let us do the rest!

What Is an Abstract of Title and Why Do You Need One?

Have you been looking for second-hand vessels but you are not yet sure about buying them? Did you conduct the proper research but you are still uncertain about what you found? Don’t feel bad about it, it happens to everybody. That’s the reason why the United States Coast Guard (USCG) came up with this document: an abstract of title.

Definition of an Abstract of Title
As we were saying, before purchasing a boat you want to make sure to gather as much information about a vessel as possible. That way, you lower the margin of error, by knowing some of the old histories of the ship. The document will contain all of the information from the boat while it was registered with the US Coast Guard.

Formally, the abstract of title is a document that will contain basic details about the boat’s history. As a general rule of thumb, you will be able to find the name of the vessel, its hull identification number (HIN), and its Coast Guard Number. Furthermore, you will get real information about who built the vessel, where it was built, and when. That way you can know the actual age of the boat, despite what the previous owner was telling you.

Furthermore, the document can also include a bill of sale (if one was done at any time) or a notice of satisfaction or claim of lien and a mortgage, that can be satisfied or not as well. If the seller was not telling if the ship had any debts, this may be a way to find out.

Why Can the Abstract Prove to be Important?
As an old phrase says, you don’t buy a lemon. Even something that seems new can end up being broken. So if you have your eye on a vessel that seems perfect, and even if the owner tells you everything has been paid off, you should still get an abstract. If you are lucky, everything the owner told you will be reflected in the document. But if you aren’t, you have avoided a huge problem.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the owner of the boat is lying: maybe when he bought the vessel he didn’t get an abstract of title, so now he just doesn’t know the exact history of the boat. Anyhow, it is better to be safe than sorry.

All of Your Documents in One Place
Let’s be a little bit more optimistic: in almost all of the cases, the abstract of the title verifies what the previous owner has told you about the vessel. Nevertheless, it is always recommended to get one. At this point, you may be wondering how to get it, right? The answer is pretty straightforward.

On the left side of our website, Vessel Documentation Online, you will notice the different types of paperwork you can get with our help. The 10th of them is the abstract of the title. Once there, you will be asked some basic details about yourself and the vessel you intend to buy and that is it. You’ll get the document emailed in no time, without having to print any other forms or send documentation inconveniently by the post office. If there are any other doubts, do not hesitate to contact us!

 

The Pros and Cons of Boat Documentation

Although it is not compulsory, there is a slight chance you might want to get your USCG Boat Documentation. If your vessel measures over 5 tons (the minimum required to register your ship) there are some benefits you can take advantage of, by only submitting a form to the United States Coast Guard. Read on if you want to find out what are the pros of registering your boat, and some of the cons that may come to detriment.

Advantages from Registering your Boat
Chances are that, on some occasions and even if you don’t want to, you have to get the boat documentation from the USCG done. When you get a loan from the bank to pay for your vessel, for instance, many banks require you to register your boat at a federal level. That way, you will have access to a preferred ship mortgage. Other than that, there are a few more advantages to documenting your boat:

The main benefit, and reason for which boaters decide to document their vessels, is for navigating internationally: when your boat is registered, the clearances into foreign ports are made easier, as opposed to when you are licensed at a state level. The certificate of documentation is treated as a form of registration, so entering and leaving customs is faster.

Everyone likes keeping his boat nice and tidy. Having your boat registered allows you not to display the state registration numbers, and show the vessel’s name and hailing port instead. Doesn’t it sound neat?

Finally, one more pro of having your boat registered is the cost of the ship: if you intend to sell it the value of the boat will be higher, as the buyer will have peace of mind knowing that the boat has been well maintained and a clear history of the vessel.

Disadvantages from Registering your Boat
There are not really a lot of disadvantages when it comes to Boat Documentation. The only con is financial because documenting comes with fees. The initial documentation comes with a fee plus renewing it every five years if your boat is recreational, or yearly if it is commercial. Furthermore, if you need to transfer or replace it, it will involve a cost as well. Finally, it is not possible to have your vessel both titled and documented. A boat cannot be titled by a state.

You can Get Your Documentation Online With Our Help
If you want to register your boat federally, you can do so at the US Coast Guard website. To get a license at a state level, it is going to be up to the state where you live. Anyhow, on Vessel Documentation Online you can get all the help you need. Furthermore, we have created a platform that will allow you to submit your forms fully online while keeping it secure. Just contact us through the correspondent form and let us do the rest!

What Does Cod Mean and How to Get One?

If you are new to the boating world you probably may have come across some of the boating vocabularies you are not yet familiar with. Terms like “Marad waiver”, “claim of lien” or “change of endorsement” are pretty common when it comes to vessel documentation, but if one is not yet habituated he or she won’t understand what the article is talking about. This article will explain what a CoD is, and how to get your United States Coast Guard USCG Certificate of Documentation.

What Does CoD Mean?
As we were just saying, Cod is the short way of saying USCG Certificate of Documentation. Other than that, it is, obviously, a certificate. Its purpose is to establish the ownership and nationality of a vessel. Furthermore, it states that you have registered your boat with the US Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center, at a federal level.

Boat registration normally occurs at a state level: it is up to each state to decide whether or not they accept federal documentation instead. There are, however, a few instances in which getting your boat documented might prove useful. Keep in mind that recreational vessels need to be over five net tons if they want to register with the USCG.

If you plan to travel abroad a CoD is internationally recognized, so it would be easier for you to enter and leave foreign ports.
If your boat is financed by a bank, they normally require you to be documented, as USCG-registered boats qualify for preferred mortgages.
As you may be aware, boats also have their own “car plates” that need to be displayed. Registering your boat allows you not to display the state registration numbers, and show your boat name and hailing port instead.
How Can I Get my Certificate of Documentation?
The most direct way to get your USCG Certificate of documentation is to go straight to the source, the National Vessel Documentation Center. You will need to submit the form CG-1258, a proof of sale (state title or registration, bill of sale, etc) and, if you are doing it for the first time, an application for simplified measurement (form CG-5397).

Once you have gathered all the necessary information to fill that up, you only need to print the forms and send them out via regular mail.

Get your Initial Certificate of Documentation with Our Help
Let’s face it. In 2022, not all of us have a lot of free time. Even less for stuff that can easily be done online. And that is when Vessel Documentation Online comes into place. We are a third-party agency that specializes in boat documentation. With our help, you can process the paperwork you need from the comfort of your sofa. Just fill out the initial form at the top left side of our website and let us do the rest!

Know More About Vessel Documentation Reinstatement

The boat or vessel owners have to keep all the documents up to date it and if any document is about to expire or already expired, then they have to follow the procedure to renew it. When you proceed with the documentation formalities, then you will find that there are multiple formalities that people have to complete but for that, you should have to identify that which one will be the best option for you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the process then either you can visit the documentation center, check the online portal, or you can take help from the third-party private companies who are working for the people to get the service that is required for your boat or vessel.

There are different kinds of processes available whether it is about the initial registration, renewing the registration, bill of sale, abstract of title, licensing, permission, and more.  Hence, initial documentation is the term that is used when a vessel is been documented with the US Coastal Guard for the first time but when it comes to reinstatement then the Vessel Documentation Reinstatement is the term that are used for a vessel that has already been documented. The reinstatement of documentation is used when the COD for a documented vessel has expired and was not renewed in a timely manner. Therefore for that as well there will be the process, so you have to understand like what kind of documentation is required to renew the documentation and how you can follow the process to get the work done in a professional way. When you submit the paperwork, then it must be reviewed and charged accordingly but there if there are any concerns or questions regarding with the service or options then you should have to identify the way to get the work done.

For any kind of documentation work, it is more important to visit the documentation center. If you already registered your details with the USCG National Documentation Center, then there is no requirement to submit your information more than once. The USCG establish user fees and for the US National Vessel Documentation services and they set fees as an amount calculated to achieve recovery of the cost of providing the services. Whenever you submit with the paperwork then it will be reviewed and charges incurred. For the different types of work, there will be different fees so if you are not sure like what kind of documents are required to complete the formalities or what will be the process, then it would be great to check with the professionals who are available at the documentation center. Even you can visit the online portal as well where you will find all the information. If you have any queries or concerns, then you can also reach out to the third-party companies who are working as mediators and helping the people with the proper process whether it is about the instruction of the documentation work, forms, or complete the process along with the fees.

Complete Formalities by Visiting Coast Guard Documentation Center

Are interested to have your own boat or vessel for recreational or commercial purposes? Or, are you interested to use it for your personal purpose? Whatever the choice you have, if you are involved in using the boat or vessel for any purpose, then you should have to complete the documentation process that includes the permission, licensing, abstract of title, and other work that is really important for the boat or vessel. These documentation works are mandatory by the government, so you have to complete all the things and there are portals available through which you can complete the process online as well. If you find any issues or obstacles then you can visit the documentation center where the team can assist you with the proper process and help you identify the right solution.

If you want to go for any kind of documentation work, whether it is about the initial registration, renewal of documentation, registration, licensing, permission transfer of ownership, restatement, certified copy replacement, Abstract of title, or any kind of documentation work, then it will be better to visit the Coast Guard Documentation Center. In the USCG documentation Center, you will find a team of professionals available who can help you with the proper process and help you to complete the form with the entire formalities and the fees whatever are required to complete the process. If you are new to that field and you are not sure that what kind of vessel documentation work is required then no need to worry that team will explain you about the entire process and help you to understand which kind of documents are required for what work. Even they will also help you to complete the online formalities if it is required in any way.

When it comes to completing the formalities, then you should have to submit the form through the online portal or by visiting the documentation center. You can check the details of USCG vessel documentation and if any fees are required then accordingly you can check the USCG Vessel Documentation Payment Form through which you can make the payment. Many people face difficulty in completing the procedure because they are not sure about the payment procedures and the required formalities. Hence, in that case, you can also take help from third party companies. There are many private companies available that will help the people in completing the formalities for the boat or vessel. You can contact the team of professionals so they will help you with the entire process and if you want to do it on your own, then either you can visit the USCG documentation center or visit the online portal which will be a convenient way for you to complete the process. You might face difficulty in the payment procedure at the initial stage or while renewing the documents, so in that case, you can go for the auto payment option but for that as well you have to provide the approval.