Although your boat is probably already documented at a state level it is never too late to register it at a federal level and that means with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). For that reason, this article will explore some of the advantages that documenting your boat with the USCG will grant you, and how long does it take to get a boat registered. Read on if you want to find out!
Advantages from Registering your Boat With the USCG
Like some other owners before, you will not be the first one wondering how to register your boat with the US Coast Guard. We know it seems complicated but trust us, it is not. Online yacht registration can be straightforward if you have the appropriate resources and knowledge. Registering your boat at a federal level will also give you some advantages we will be stated in the following lines.
To begin with, having your boat registered will grant you a Certificate of Documentation (COD). This Certificate is internationally recognized, so if you are traveling abroad, the process of entering and leaving foreign ports will be easier.
In addition to that, a boat that is documented has the option of not displaying its state registration numbers. Its name and hailing port will be enough to identify it. In case, for aesthetic reasons, you do not want to display the numbers, this is the way to do it.
Finally, if you opted to have your boat financed, the bank will require vessel documentation. This is because documented vessels qualify for preferred mortgages. The consequence of these advantages is that your boat will have an added value if you intend to sell it, as documented boats need to keep adequate standards, and the buyers have that in mind when involved in a transaction.
Processing Times When Registering Your Boat
All of this sounds really tempting, but if you are in a hurry and need to document your boat as soon as possible, you will still want to know how long does it take to get a boat registered. The truth is that there is no information on the subject, as the US Coast Guard does not state the processing times on their site.
According to the research we conducted, however, we can say that the time it takes varies depending on the way it was paid for (credit card or check, for example) and whether is the first time you are getting your certificate of documentation (around 12 weeks) or if it is a renewal (around 4 weeks).
It is Easy to Process Your Documentation With Vessel Documentation Online.
As we said before, chances are you are a busy sailor and you do not want to take care of the documentation by yourself. That is when Vessel Documentation Online may help you. We are a third-party agency that excels in the boating industry, particularly when it comes to the appropriate paperwork. So if you do not feel like doing the work all by yourself that is because you do not have to. Fill up any of our forms or reach us through any of the contact means or online chat and we will sort your documentation out.