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LEGAL FORMS PACKAGES
BACKGROUND REPORTS
BOAT WEAR ONLINE
BOATER EXAM
VESSEL RECORD SEARCH
VESSEL TITLE SERVICES
OWNER MAILING LISTS |
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Are boat tax liens shown on the vessel's title certificate?
- Boat tax liens are not typically shown on a vessel
registration, boat title, or Coast Guard certificate of
documentation. If the boat is registered in a non-title state, they
may show up as Uniform Commercial Code filings. They may also be
recorded as a deficiency flag in the respective state's boat
registration or title database. In such cases, the vessel's title or
registration will not be transferred until the lien has been
discharged. If the boat is documented with the Coast Guard, such
liens may be recorded as a "notice of claim of lien" on the
vessel's underlying abstract of title. In some cases, they may
become attached to the boat even though not recorded at all. Boat
buyers should accordingly make sure all necessary vessel title
warranty protections are in place in case of such events.
Can I
rely on a boat title as proof of ownership? -
Boat titles, registrations, and Coast Guard certificates of
documentation should not be relied upon at face value as conclusive
proof of ownership. This is especially true of state issued boat
registration certificates. In certain non-title states, a boat
registration can become easily established with very little or no
evidence of ownership. These can then be converted to a boat title
in other states or even Coast Guard documentation without any
further questions. A prudent buyer should research the boat's
ownership and title documents in depth before accepting any boat
title, registration, or Coast Guard certificate of documentation at
face value.
Can I search
for a
boat record by the vessel's name? - If the
vessel is Coast Guard documented, it may be possible to search the
records by a vessel's name. However,
this could be a matter of sorting through any number of recordings as vessel
names are not exclusive on documented boats. There is no method of
researching state boat title and registration records by the vessel's name.
Do all vessels
and boats
have a hidden hull number? - All vessels and
boats built
for U.S. consumption after August 1, 1984 are required to have a
second copy of the manufacturer's or builder's hull identification number hidden
somewhere on the interior of the hull. In order to find this
location it will be necessary to contact a marine surveyor, a law
enforcement official, or the manufacturer.
How
can I conduct a title search
on a
foreign vessel?
- Foreign registry systems are for the most part quite similar
to our Coast Guard vessel documentation program here in the United
States. In most cases the respective federal agency can issue a
transcript of registry which offers the same basic information as
our Coast Guard's abstract of title or certificate of ownership.
Some foreign provinces also issue boat registration certificates or
licenses which serve the same function as those issued by our
states. The biggest challenge in obtaining foreign vessel title
reports is, of course, the language barrier. Accordingly, foreign
searches often require assistance and cooperation from the seller
while working in conjunction with a qualified translator. Please
visit our Foreign Page for additional information, articles, and
resources regarding this topic.
How can I conduct a
vessel or
boat lien search? - Boat liens in the United
States are filed with the U.S. Coast Guard, state titling or
registration agencies, and state level Uniform Commercial Code
recording agencies. Whether to conduct any or all types of such
research depends on how the boat has been previously documented,
titled, or registered. There is also an issue of non-recorded or
hidden liens which may become attached to the boat even though not
formally recorded. Discovering these types of liens involves a
considerable amount of detective work. Detailed information on how
to conduct various types of boat ownership and lien searches can be
found in our Vessel Research Handbook along with various other
resources posted in our web site.
How can I
detect whether a boat has been damaged? - Boat
owners are required by law to file reports when their vessel has
been involved in substantial collision events and those related to
casualties. Law enforcement officials must also record any such
occurrences in which they have become involved. Although this type
of data is made available to the general public, it can be subject
to errors and omissions. Detecting boats that
have suffered damages resulting from hurricanes, sinking, grounding,
and other non-reportable events is more challenging. There are
commercial databases which gather such information, but these are
not fully conclusive. These limitations should accordingly be offset
by a thorough inspection from a
qualified marine surveyor.
How
can I detect whether a vessel or boat is stolen? -
The most obvious way of detecting a stolen boat or vessel is to
check the hull identification number for alterations and to validate
that it is properly formatted. Although not always possible,
researching the complete chain of ownership will also help verify a
current owner's rightful possession. There are public databases
which facilitate stolen boat searches, but these are not conclusive
and should not be relied upon as such. If there is any reason to
suspect the vessel is stolen, you should contact a local law
enforcement agency. They have access to a nationwide vessel
identification system which is not available to the general public.
How
can I find the owner of a state registered boat? -
The adoption of very strict personal information disclosure rules is
becoming ever more common among various boat registration agencies. Although
some jurisdictions are quite free with ownership information, others
may require that you request such details in writing with an explanation regarding the nature of
your inquiry. Our Vessel Record Search service offers a
state-by-state listing of ownership name and address disclosure
requirements, data links, request forms, and contact information.
How
can I locate a boat builder or vessel manufacturer? -
The first three letters of any hull identification number for a boat
or vessel built after 1972 will contain what is known as the
"Manufacturer's Identification Code". Our Vessel Record Search
service includes a database of all boat builders or manufacturer's
which can be searched by the MIC code or builder's name. The results
will show detailed information such as the address, telephone
number, and current standing. If the builder is no longer in
business, you can search for clues on the internet under the
builder's name or the boat's make and model designation. You may
also find help on the internet by posting your inquiries to popular
boating forums or blogs.
How
reliable are boat history reports? - Boat
history reports or searches cover things such as damaged, stolen,
auctioned, recalled, and foreclosed boats. They do not typically
address issues regarding boat liens, vessel mortgages, and claims.
Although boat history reports are a valuable tool in
researching a vessel's background, they are not fully conclusive and
should not be relied upon as such. Additional research measures
should always be taken and they should not become a substitute for
additional protections like thorough inspections, marine surveys,
vessel title insurance, title warranties, or other seller
assurances.
Should
I do a background check on the boat owner? -
Ownership validation can be a critical aspect of vessel or boat
title research, especially in situations where historical
information is lacking. This type of research involves personal
background discovery about the vessel's owner with respect to such
party's authority, credibility, and financial wherewithal.
Statements of title warranty and other representations will not be
of much help if the owner is insolvent or nowhere to found in the
event of subsequent problems. In the case of a legal entity, trust,
or estate, you will also need to identify those representatives who
posses the right to conduct transactions involving the vessel.
What
does joint tenants mean on a boat title? - The
term "Joint Tenants" or "Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship"
typically indicates that the parties each hold an equal and
undivided interest in the boat. Upon the death of a tenant, the
boat's ownership would automatically pass to the surviving tenant or
tenants. This normally happens without the need for probate or court
intervention. Many states also use the term "or" between the parties
names, which has a similar effect. Methods of ownership are usually
governed by state law, therefore you should consult with an attorney
if unsure of how these implications may apply in your particular
jurisdiction.
What
is a hidden vessel or boat lien? - In the realm of maritime law, a
vessel is said to have taken on a persona of its own. In other
words, the vessel can by its very existence create debts and
liabilities just as if it were a real person. These will follow a
vessel to subsequent owners, even without an awareness by such
parties. If such obligations are not recorded or otherwise made
public, they are termed as hidden liens.
Where can I find a chain of vessel or boat ownership?
- Establishing a complete chain of boat ownership on Cost
Guard documented vessels is usually a matter of obtaining an abstract of
title. However, not all vessels have remained in documentation
continuously since
they were initially built. State registered or titled boats are
another matter as these agencies do not maintain abstracts and
typically dispose of their records periodically. Microfiches showing
copies of prior boat title or transactions may be available in some
cases, but these are only obtainable by special order and it may
take some time. On some vessels, especially older boats, it may not
be possible to construct a complete history or chain of ownership. |
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