Delaware Boat Registration

USCG Yacht Documentation

Asset Protection for Boat Owners

Purchasing a yacht is a huge investment. To protect your personal assets it makes more sense to own your boat as a Corporation or LLC. Since the state of Delaware offers a favorable climate for boat owners we suggest you purchase your new boat as a Delaware entity.

Get Started Learn More

Start Protecting Your Assets Today.

Get Started

What is Yacht Documentation?

Documentation is a Federal procedure to register a boat but limited to pleasure and commercial vessels over 5 tons owned by US Citizens. After the documents are processed by the US Coast Guard it establishes unquestionable ownership and acts as the vessel’s passport in foreign waters. All fishing vessels, cruise ships and boats for hire must be documented with the USCG.

Fishing vessels, cruise ships and boats for hire must be documented with the USCG.

Documentation Provides

Conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes
Provides for unhindered commerce between the states
Admits vessels into certain restricted trades, such as coastwise trade and the fisheries
Establishes an internationally recognized maritime title for the vessel
Acts as the vessels passport in foreign waters

You must be a citizen of the US to document a vessel. If owned by a Corporation or LLC the company must be 75% owned by US citizens. For those clients who are not citizens of the US we offer a Trustee Owned Corporation opportunity so you can sail your boat anywhere in the world under the US flag.

Get Started Learn More

USCG Documentation

Special Internet Package

Federal Documentation – Starting at $450

(Depending on history of Vessel)

requirements FOR USCG DOCUMENTATION

Usually a vessel 25 feet in length can qualify for documentation
A vessel must measure at least five net tons
The tonnage is determined by volume of the vessel, not by how much the manufacturer says the vessel weighs
It can be owned by either an individual who is a citizen of the United States or a corporation in which 75% of the directors are American Citizen

Document Your Yacht with the USCG Now

Document Your Yacht Today.

Get Started

Why Incorporate in Delaware?

You can form a new Corporation or LLC in any of the 50 states. However, the State of Delaware offers a favorable tax climate for owning a boat, including:

No Personal Tax
No Sales Tax
No Intangible property tax
No Stock transfer tax

You must be a US Citizen Owned Corporation to register a boat in Delaware.

For Delaware State Registration
Call Our Office: 561-459-3460

Get Started Learn More

For Delaware State Registration Call Our Office: 800-219-9359

Delaware Boat Corporation

Special Internet Package

$365 For Boat Owners Residing in the US

Delaware Boat Corporate Package includes:

24 Hour Overtime Processing
Free Name Search
Preparation and filing of the Certificate of Incorporation
All State Filing Fees
Certified Copy of Certificate
Processing of SS4 for EIN
Registered Agent Fee

Incorporate in Delaware Now

Form a Delaware Corporation Today.

Get Started

Steps To Get Started

Delaware Registration and/or USCG Documentation

Some boats are not qualified for USCG documentation. Delaware Registration may be your only option; we suggest 3 years. In addition, USCG documentation for pleasure boats can take up to 9 month to a year to be processed. To facilitate the immediate use of the boat we suggest that the Corporation register the boat for one year with the state of Delaware. This process can take about three or four weeks.

1. Start the Process

Form a Delaware Corporation or Delaware LLC by going to our secure checkout portal.

Detailed Instructions Get Started Now!

2. Document Your Yacht With the USCG

While on our secure checkout portal add United States Coast Guard Documentation.

Detailed Instructions Get Started Now!

3. Register Your Boat In Delaware

While on our secure checkout portal add Delaware Boat Registration.

Detailed Instructions Get Started Now!

Still Looking for Answer?
We’re Here to Help!

Call 561-459-3460

]

Common Questions

It’s Easy To Get Started!

Please visit our secure online checkout portal and complete the application

Start Now

Cruise ships, fishing vessels, and boats for hire must be documented with the USCG. Pleasure vessels requiring a 1st Preferred Ship’s Mortgage recorded must document their yacht.

Documentation must be renewed on an annual basis. Our fee to renew your USCG Documentation is $65. We provide this service as an option in our annual billing.

A documented vessel is exempt from displaying state numbers on their hull. However, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. Some states may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state validation showing that they have complied with the state requirements.

Most banks require that a vessel being financed to be documented and provide them with a 1st Preferred Ship’s Mortgage recorded with the US Coast Guard. Vessel financing has been enhanced through the availability of 1st preferred mortgages on documented vessels.

The four categories of trade that apply to USCG Documented vessels are:

RECREATIONAL. This category indicates that a vessel is used for pleasure use only and is the most popular.

COASTWISE. This category indicates that a vessel is used to carry passengers and/or cargo for hire in US waters.

FISHERY. This category indicates that a vessel is engaging in commercial fishing, catching and selling fish.

REGISTRY. This category indicates that a vessel is used to carry passengers and/or cargo for hire in foreign waters.

NOTE: A vessel may carry more than one trade.

1. All individual owners must be U. S. Citizens

2. In order for a corporation to qualify as a “citizen of the United States,” it must be incorporated in the U.S.; the president or other chief executive office must be a U.S. citizen, and there may be no more alien directors than a minority of the number required for a quorum. There are requirements pertaining to stock ownership, according to the use of the vessel.

3. There are specific requirements for partnerships and other types of ownership, which we will be glad to discuss.

NEW VESSEL

1. Manufacturer of Vessel which can be either a Builder’s Certificate and/or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin to include:

Dealer name
Address
Phone number
Contact person

2. USCG Form 5397 Simplified Measurement Form signed by Officer or Member to determine tonnage

3. Buyer(s) information to include

Name of Owner
Corporate address
EIN
Phone number
Officer of Members SSN and social security number)

4. Name of Vessel

5. Hailing Port of Vessel—The hailing port is a city and state location that the Coast Guard requires to be painted on the stern of the vessel under the name of the vessel. Any city and state in the U.S. can be used.

6. Mortgagee information

Legal name of bank (or financing entity),
Bank Address
Phone number
Bank contact person;
Copy of the promissory note.
USCG Form 5542 Signed and Completed by the bank

PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED or REGISTERED VESSELS

1. Copy of the USCG Document issued.

2. USCG Bill of Sale including

Seller(s) information
- Name
- Address
- Old Name of Boat
- Official Number

5. Copy of Satisfaction of Mortgage (If not previously filed there is a fee to process for new owner)

6. If previously registered

Copy of State Registration
State Title

Documentation allows for easy entry into foreign ports.
Documentation facilitates the sale of a vessel, particularly when financing is involved
The chain of ownership of the vessel is maintained in one registry, a registry of history, pride, tradition and prestige.
A USCG documented vessel has been proven to sell at a higher value.

OFFICIAL NUMBER (ON) The official number assigned to documented vessels is always preceded by the abbreviation “NO.” This must be followed by the number assigned and can be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull, viz: NO. 1122335. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area. A wooden or lucite board can be ordered online by several vendors.

HAILING PORT The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull, usually the stern. On a commercial vessel, the vessel name must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. The “hailing port” must include both a city and a State, Territory, or possession in the United States. The state may be abbreviated. All markings may be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals.

Our fee to document a yacht is $450 which is a one time fee. (Depending on history of Vessel)

Once documented, the Certificate of Documentation must be renewed each year. We offer that service for an additional $65 at billing time. Prior to the purchase, it is also suggested that you request an Abstract of Title either through us or your yacht broker. The Abstract of Title will show you a complete history of the yacht including any liens or encumbrances still listed with the USCG. All fees concerning incorporation to purchase the yacht and USCG Documentation can be found in our website.

First Preferred Ship’s Mortgage -$225.00
A preferred ship mortgage is a mortgage that is given status as a maritime lien. many financial institutions require vessels that are eligible for documentation to be documented and to have preferred ship mortgages recorded against them. The owner of the vessel is prohibited from making certain changes in documentation such as change of vessel ownership, name and hailing port without the consent of the mortgagee.

A 1st preferred ship mortgage is a mortgage that is given status as a maritime lien. Many financial institutions require vessels that are eligible for documentation to be documented and to have preferred ship mortgages recorded against them. The owner of the vessel is prohibited from making certain changes in documentation such as change of vessel ownership, name and hailing port without the consent of the mortgagee.

Our fee to document a yacht is $450 which is a one time fee. However, the Certificate of Documentation must be renewed each year. We offer that service for an additional $65 at billing time. Prior to the purchase, it is also suggested that you request an Abstract of Title either through us or your yacht broker. The Abstract of Title will show you a complete history of the yacht including any liens or encumbrances still listed with the USCG. All fees concerning incorporation to purchase the yacht and USCG Documentation can be found in our List of Fees

Vessel Size A – less than 16′ through 29 ‘	1 year – $150.00	3 years – $350.00
Vessel Size B – 30′ or over and less than 45′	1 year – $180.00	3 years – $380.00
Vessel Size C – 45′ or over and less than 65′	1 year – $220.00	3 years – $440.00
Vessel Size D – 65′ or over	1 year – $250.00	3 years – $500.00