It depends on whether your vessel will be state-titled or federally documented. At the federal level, there is no “title” in the traditional sense of a bill of sale for a boat. Instead, you apply for a Certificate of Documentation through the United States Coast Guard.
Our service provides streamlined access to that federal documentation process, helping you submit the correct forms and supporting paperwork.
Is There Really Such a Thing as a Federal Boat Title?
Many boat owners assume that the federal government issues a boat title the same way a state’s motor vehicle department issues a car title. At the federal level:
- There is no document officially called a “boat title.”
- The United States Coast Guard issues a Certificate of Documentation.
- That certificate serves as evidence of nationality and federal registration.
When a vessel is federally documented, it is entered into the national registry maintained under regulations found in 46 CFR Part 67.
States have different laws. That said, in most states:
- A federally documented vessel cannot also carry a state-issued title.
- State registration may still be required for taxation or local compliance.
- The federal documentation replaces the state title for ownership purposes.
If you are seeking what many call a “boat title,” and your vessel qualifies for federal documentation, what you may actually need is a Certificate of Documentation. Our portal provides access to the necessary forms and submission pathways for that process.
How Does a Bill of Sale for a Boat Fit Into Federal Documentation?
When transferring ownership of a documented vessel, the bill of sale for a boat is the primary instrument that conveys ownership from seller to buyer. It is not just a receipt. It is the legal transfer document that the Coast Guard relies on to update its records.
For federally documented vessels:
- The transfer must comply with Coast Guard requirements.
- The conveyance must clearly identify the vessel.
- The transfer must reflect the full ownership interest being conveyed.
If you are applying for a new Certificate of Documentation in your name, the Coast Guard will not issue it unless the transfer is properly documented. That is where the correct form becomes essential.
Our service allows you to complete and submit the appropriate federal transfer documentation so that your ownership is accurately recorded.
What Is Form CG-1340 and Why Is It Required?
The Coast Guard does not accept informal sale agreements for documented vessels. While a handwritten agreement might be sufficient for a small, untitled skiff at the state level, a federally documented vessel requires a specific instrument.
That instrument is Form CG-1340.
What Must Be Included on Form CG-1340?
The federal form must contain precise information, including:
- The vessel’s official number (O.N.), if documented
- The Hull Identification Number (HIN), if applicable
- The full legal names of all sellers
- The full legal names of all buyers
- The mailing addresses of all parties
- The percentage of ownership being transferred
In most standard transactions, the percentage transferred is 100 percent. However, if partial interests are conveyed, that must be clearly stated.
Without these details:
- The transfer will not be accepted.
- The Certificate of Documentation cannot be reissued in the buyer’s name.
- The federal registry will not reflect the change of ownership.
Our portal provides access to the proper federal form so you can complete and submit it as required.
Does the Bill of Sale for a Boat Have to Be Notarized?
Yes. For federally documented vessels, notarization is not optional.
A bill of sale for a boat submitted to the National Vessel Documentation Center must include notarized signatures. Without notarization:
- The document is legally ineffective for federal purposes.
- The transfer will be rejected.
- Your application for documentation cannot move forward.
Who Must Sign in Front of the Notary?
All individuals listed as current owners on the existing Certificate of Documentation must sign.
If ownership is held by:
- A single individual, that individual must sign and be notarized.
- Multiple individuals, each must sign and have their signature notarized.
- A married couple listed as co-owners, both must sign before a notary.
The notary must:
- Verify the identity of each signer.
- Complete a proper acknowledgment.
- Affix their seal and signature according to state law.
The Coast Guard generally prefers a standard acknowledgment confirming the identity of the signer rather than a jurat.
Our document upload page allows you to securely submit your completed and notarized transfer form as part of your documentation application.
What Happens If the Chain of Ownership Is Broken?
One of the most common complications arises when the seller is not the last recorded owner in the federal registry.
Imagine this scenario:
- The Coast Guard records show Person A as the owner.
- Person A sold to Person B.
- Person B sold to Person C.
- You purchased the vessel from Person C.
If the intermediate transfers were never properly recorded, the federal registry still lists Person A. In that case, your purchase alone does not establish a complete chain of title.
To correct this:
- A valid transfer document must exist from A to B.
- A valid transfer document must exist from B to C.
- A valid transfer document must exist from C to you.
Each link in the chain must be supported by a properly executed and notarized bill of sale for a boat.
Without a complete chain:
- The Coast Guard will not issue a new Certificate of Documentation.
- The ownership history will remain incomplete.
- Your application will not be approved.
Ensuring that every prior transfer is documented is critical when applying for federal recognition of ownership.
How Can an Abstract of Title Help You Understand Ownership History?
Before purchasing a documented vessel, many buyers review an abstract of title to see the recorded history of ownership and encumbrances.
An abstract of title includes:
- Prior owners of record
- Recorded transfers
- Mortgages and satisfactions
- Notices of claim of lien
Reviewing this information allows you to confirm that:
- The seller is the current owner of record.
- No outstanding recorded liens remain.
- The chain of ownership is complete.
If discrepancies appear in the abstract, they must be resolved before documentation can be successfully transferred.
What Role Does a Vessel Documentation Search Play?
A vessel documentation search can reveal whether a vessel is currently documented and what information appears in the federal database.
This search can confirm:
- The vessel’s official number
- The name of the vessel
- The managing owner
- The documentation status
Knowing this information helps ensure that the transfer paperwork matches the federal record exactly. Any mismatch in spelling, ownership structure, or identifying numbers can delay processing.
How Are Mortgages Affected by Ownership Transfers?
If a vessel is subject to a preferred ship mortgage, that mortgage is recorded in the federal registry. The presence of a recorded mortgage affects how ownership transfers are handled.
Key points include:
- The mortgage must be properly satisfied or addressed before a clean transfer.
- The lender’s interest is publicly recorded.
- The transfer of ownership does not automatically remove the lien.
A recorded mortgage remains attached to the vessel until it is formally released and recorded.
Understanding whether a mortgage exists is essential before completing a transfer and applying for new documentation.
What Information Should You Double-Check Before Submitting?
Accuracy is critical when submitting transfer documents for federal documentation. Small inconsistencies can cause rejection.
Before uploading your paperwork, confirm:
- The vessel name matches the current federal record.
- The official number is correctly listed.
- All owners of record have signed.
- The notary acknowledgment is complete and legible.
- The percentage of interest transferred is clearly stated.
Any discrepancy between your submitted documents and the federal registry may result in delays.
Our portal provides a straightforward method to submit your completed forms for processing through the appropriate channels.
How Does Vessel Documentation Differ From State Titling?
Vessel documentation and state titling differ in many important ways.
State titling:
- Is governed by individual state agencies.
- Results in a state-issued title certificate.
- Often applies to smaller recreational boats.
Federal documentation:
- Is governed by the United States Coast Guard.
- Results in a Certificate of Documentation.
- Applies to qualifying vessels meeting size and eligibility standards.
If your vessel is federally documented, you are not obtaining a state title. You are updating the federal registry to reflect your ownership. Your bill of sale for a boat is the core instrument that supports that update.
How Do You Submit Your Documents Through Our Portal?
Once your transfer form is completed and notarized, the next step is submission.
Through our service, you can:
- Access the appropriate federal documentation forms.
- Complete your ownership transfer application.
- Upload your executed and notarized transfer document.
Our platform is designed to provide access to the forms and filing process required for Coast Guard documentation.
Ensuring that your paperwork is accurate and complete before submission helps avoid delays and supports a smoother path toward receiving your updated Certificate of Documentation.
By understanding the federal framework, the notarization requirements, and the importance of a complete ownership chain, you can use your bill of sale for a boat to secure proper federal recognition of your ownership and obtain the documentation that functions as your vessel’s official proof of title.