Boat Title Search Guidelines

How to conduct a boat title search with step-by-step instructions.

Conducting a boat title search can be challenging given the various ways in which boats are titled, registered and Coast Guard documented. The extent and breadth of a search endeavor will depend on the boat's value and your confidence in the owner's ability to make good on any title representations. These guidelines will provide the steps that you should to take in order to gain a comprehensive insight on the boat's title condition. You will also find supporting resources for all of these subjects in the Referrals for this page.

Step 1 - Owner Disclosures

Boat sales arrangements will usually entail some type of written guarantee or warranty of a marketable and lien free title from the owner. However, a comprehensive written title disclosure on behalf of the owner is not something that is typically required in the marine industry. A prudent buyer may wish to include this as a contingency if the seller is not otherwise known as reliable. A lack of cooperation from the owner in this regard should be met with a great deal of concern. An example of an owner boat title disclosure form can be found in the referrals for this page. It will at least provide a listing of the questions that should be asked.

Step 2 - Visual Inspection

A visual inspection is crucial in determining any identification numbers as actually affixed to the boat itself. You may do this in person or perhaps utilize the services of a qualified marine surveyor. Just make sure the surveyor actually inspected the boat rather than simply pulling the numbers off of any paperwork found onboard. The goal here is to match these against any certificates and find clues as to how the boat may have been registered, titled, or Coast Guard documented.
Hull Identification Number: The most important boat identifier for title search purposes is a hull identification number. It is typically located on the aft-most exterior part of the hull. Make sure it has not been altered or tampered with as this may indicate the boat was stolen. Information about hull number placements and formatting can be found in the references for this page.
Official Coast Guard Number: If the boat is over approximately 24 feet in length, there is a chance it is currently or was previously Coast Guard documented. Official numbers are permanently located on the interior of the hull or an integral part thereof. If none is found you should look for evidence that it has been removed or obliterated.
Name and Hailing Port: Although any boat may display a name and hailing port, this is required for Coast Guard documentation purposes. Documentation records can also be searched with this information.
State Registration Number: State registered boats  must display registration numbers unless Coast Guard documented. Information about formatting can be found in the Referrals for this page.
State Registration Decals: Stickers, tabs or decals must be affixed to each side of the boat when state registered. Although searches can not be made with this information, it is a indicator of state registration and whether current. State decals without the registration numbers may be an indication of Coast Guard documentation.
Ships Papers: If you have access to the boat's cabin, you can look for documents or perhaps an operation log for clues about the title condition and prior registrations. Just be careful to make sure any identification numbers match up with the actual boat.

Step 3 - Conducting the Searches

Based on owner disclosures and a visual inspection, you can now begin to implement the title searches. These will be used to verify information provided and for additional discoveries.
Hull Number Check:  A first priority in beginning your search is that of making sure the hull identification number is properly formatted relative to the year in which built. In addition to our free hull number verification check resource you will find a hull number decoder chart and an extensive hull number overview in the guidelines section of our website.
State Registration Search: Most boats will have been registered and/or titled in the state or states where principally operated. The only exception would be for USCG documented vessels in certain states. These types of searches can only be implemented with a hull identification number or state registration number. They can not be accessed by an official USCG number, owner name, title number or the boat's designated name and hailing port. Once located, however, a state record may show a cross reference to a vessel documentation number when applicable. The State Registration Searches shown in the Referrals for this page will provide all the information you need on a state-by-state basis.
State UCC Search: Uniform Commercial Code searches are handled by the Secretary of State's office in most states. They are typically free and available online. Information for conducting UCC searches on a state-by-state basis can be found in our State Registration Overviews.
USCG Documentation Search:  Searches for documented vessels consist of online searches, ordering an abstract of title, obtaining a copy of the certificate of documentation or copies of recorded instruments such as bills of sale or preferred mortgages. Abstracts and copies can be obtained directly from the National Vessel Documentation Center whereas searches are conducted online through government or enterprise website. Our proprietary BoatScope database can also be searched by multiple other criteria including vessel specifications, documentation status, the vessel name and its hailing port.
Tax Lien Search: Searching for tax liens against owners and vessels can be a bit challenging. They may be found as red flags on state registration records, UCC filings, USCG abstracts of title, the Internal Revenue Service or state level revenue agencies. Given this disparity it may worthwhile to utilize the services of a public record provider as listed in our Boaters Directory.
Stolen Boat Search:  Our website offers a free proprietary stolen boat registry search which can be found in the referrals for this page. There are also a few states that facilitate such searches online. The most reliable way, however, is to contact a local law enforcement agency and request a search of the national crime database.
Foreign Registry Search: Foreign vessel registration and titling is for the most part similar to what we have in United States. However, title searches may prove difficult when there are language barriers and time differences. In this case in may be incumbent on the owner to provide the necessary record printouts. Most agencies also have online services available to the general public along with enterprise agencies such as brokerage firms and attorneys. Country-by- country search information is available in the resources page of our website.
Owner Background Search: There are numerous online owner background check services available some of which can be found in our directory page.
Enterprise Searches: In addition to governmental search resources, there are a number of online enterprises that offer such services. Our site also provides many free boat title searches along with our proprietary BoatScope subscription database.

Step 4 - Preparing a Report

These guidelines may be used as a checklist of searches completed or yet to be implemented. It may also prove beneficial to summarize your findings in some type of organized written form. This will offer a more concise picture of the boat title's overall condition.

Conclusion

Our website is the internet's most comprehensive resource available with respect to state boat registration, titling, USCG documentation and related searches. You should accordingly spend some time browsing though its pages to become intimately familiar with those subjects most related to your particular circumstances.

References and Referrals
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