How is vessel ownership established?

Q: How is vessel ownership established?

If the vessel is new and has never been documented, ownership may be established by submission of a Builder's Certification, naming the applicant for documentation as the person for whom the vessel was built or to whom the vessel was first transferred. Also acceptable are a transfer on a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, a copy of the State Registration or Title, or foreign registration showing that the applicant owns the vessel. In the case of a previously owned vessel, the applicant must present bills of sale, or other evidence showing transfer of the vessel from the person who last documented, titled, or registered the vessel, or to whom the vessel was transferred on a Builder's Certification or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.

If the vessel has never been registered previously under any system, then for a coastwise or fishery endorsement, “the only title evidence required for a vessel being documented by the owner for whom it was built is (a) certification of the builder (form CG-1261), per Cornell Law.

For a registry or recreational endorsement, a certification of the builder (also referred to as a “Builder’s Certification”) is sufficient as is a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.

A copy of the State Registration Title or foreign registration, showing that the applicant owns the vessel, can work as well.

Should the vessel have been owned previously, the applicant must provide bills of sale or present other evidence showing the vessel has been transferred from the person who last registered, titled, or documented the vessel, or to whom the vessel was transferred on a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin or Builder’s Certification.

Should title have been transferred by a method other than a bill of sale, email info@maritimedocumentation.us or contact our documentation processors at (800) 535-8570.