Documenting or registration

[FF]

Another advantage to documentation is should you sell the boat , and the purchaser will be making payments to you, should the deal go South reclaiming the boat is easy.

IF you use the USCG sales form , reclaiming the boat anywhere (in the civilized world) is fairly easy.

Most folks dont use this sort of sale , but the advantage is HUGE if you do.

 

[Bacchus]

Actually a lot of things are changing with documentation. Many of the delays were before moving the office and before enhancing the systems... Now there are many options. First, you may now file by email, using a PDF application. Second, you may now follow up on all paperwork and it's status online. This will show you the documents have been received and are being worked on. The TCOD (temporary certificate of documentation) is being discontinued with this in place. Third, they will expedite applications if contacted and told of an urgent need. For instance, you're going to be taking the boat out of the country.

Mortgage and Lien Filings are still quite a bit behind.

They had a very bad situation and are being very transparent about it while working to improve it. I don't know what success they'll have but the fact one can look up applications online and also can look at where they stand on processing to me is at least a positive sign.

I thought I saw a notice of USCG issuing temporary Doc's - but as BandB states above they have suspended that... "
As of November 7, 2014 the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) will suspend the issuance of Temporary Certificates of Documentation (TCODs)."

Processing for recreational Doc's remains significantly behind... Especially in the mortgage & lien areas...
Most troubling is satisfaction of lien - to demonstrate clear title in the case of a sale!!

Case Processing Dates as of 03/20/15

Fish Initial Application: 03/06/15
Fish Exchange, Reinstatement, and Replacement of COD: 03/06/15
Commercial Initial Application: 03/05/15
Commercial Exchange, Reinstatement, and Replacement of COD: 03/02/15
Recreational Initial Application: 11/28/14
Recreational Exchange, Reinstatement, and Replacement of COD: 11/28/14
Mortgage: 10/22/14
Notices of Claim of Lien: 07/24/14
Satisfactions: 05/06/13
Deletion with fees: 03/12/15
Certificates of Ownership: 03/12/15
Research (Including Complex): 03/12/15
Abstract Processing (Including Abstract Pending Review): 03/12/15

 

[gehales]

FWIW, my original transfer last year took 5 months. My renewal this year, mailed in with $26 check, took 7 days.

Tranquility
KK 42-023

 

[kthoennes]

FWIW, my original transfer last year took 5 months. My renewal this year, mailed in with $26 check, took 7 days.

Tranquility
KK 42-023

Although I see the database still says you expire next month.

(As I understand it the new $26 annual renewal process is relatively automated while the other transactions still are not, nor can they be, probably -- I can see where most other transactions would require a human review of the submission on some level.)

 

[BandB]

Although I see the database still says you expire next month.

(As I understand it the new $26 annual renewal process is relatively automated while the other transactions still are not, nor can they be, probably -- I can see where most other transactions would require a human review of the submission on some level.)

They're moving toward further automation in all areas. Part of the problem was that nothing was automated.

 

[BandB]

FWIW, my original transfer last year took 5 months. My renewal this year, mailed in with $26 check, took 7 days.

Tranquility
KK 42-023

With no mortgage or lien to record, expedited one and got it back in 14 days, so number was put in boat as required before it was delivered to us.

Our only other experience was in 2012 and we were in no hurry. Took 5 months, which I was told we were lucky. I think liens and mortgages play a big role in the time as their web site shows.

As they get renewals automated and get them out of their efforts then that should help them catch up on initial documentation. They have far more renewals than initial so automating them is a huge reduction in work.

The information I posted earlier was directly from the page Bacchus cut and pasted. I do applaud the transparency. I see people apply for things through other agencies and they can't even get an answer on when to expect anything. Transparency to where they stand is also a great motivator to improving things.

 

[yachtbrokerguy]

I have been to the Bahamas many times with boats registered in Florida, and boats documented in the US or registered in other countries. The main concern with Bahamian officials is collecting the fee, not the documentation or registration.
Returning to the US in Fort Lauderdale was also easy with registered or documented boats.
The expedited process for a new document for boats sold recently and headed to a foreign country is quick, I had a recent client get the document in a week.
When selling a boat, an Abstract of Title can be obtained on a documented boat within a week showing not only history of ownership but also past and current mortgages and liens.

 

[BandB]

The expedited process for a new document for boats sold recently and headed to a foreign country is quick, I had a recent client get the document in a week.
When selling a boat, an Abstract of Title can be obtained on a documented boat within a week showing not only history of ownership but also past and current mortgages and liens.

That's 100% consistent with what I've experienced on expediting. And if you're not going to a foreign country, then while the delay is annoying, it's not critical. As to the Abstract of Title, one has been able to get it quickly, but couldn't be sure that recent liens were all reflected. I think the systems improvements though will eliminate that problem as by recording all documents received, they will be able to search for items they haven't recorded before sending an Abstract.

 

[gehales]

While database is updated periodically, not daily, the documentation itself shows the correct date. That is what will be shown to any inquiring officials.

Tranquility
KK 42-023

 

[windmill29130]

We bought our latest boat around the 1st of June of last year. It took the USCG until just before Christmas last year to send us the Documents and it was only a transfer.

In our case Documentation allowed us to avoid sales tax from our the state. It also in some states allows you to skip the states registration process. Documentation is a personal preference and like RTF said most countries ( if you travel outside the U.S.) prefer it over just a state registration. Your banker may too.

Jon

Just an FYI: You didn't avoid sales tax, you choose not to pay it. There is a little thing called USE Tax that one is supposed to file with your tax return each year. This requires you to pay the sales tax on anything you bought online, boat, or whatever else and did not pay sales tax at the time of purchase. You are currently breaking the law by not paying.

 

[GreenSailor]

OK, I will be bringing a boat into the states in New York. I will have to pay my import tax when I clear customs. I want to document the boat before leaving NY headed to Florida. What kind of documentation do I need to carry if this process takes so long?

 

[windmill29130]

You will get a temporary documentation shortly after you apply. Keep a copy of bill of sale and documentation paperwork you sent in until the temp comes.

 

[BandB]

You will get a temporary documentation shortly after you apply. Keep a copy of bill of sale and documentation paperwork you sent in until the temp comes.

No more temporary documentation.

 

[BandB]

OK, I will be bringing a boat into the states in New York. I will have to pay my import tax when I clear customs. I want to document the boat before leaving NY headed to Florida. What kind of documentation do I need to carry if this process takes so long?

Just your bill of sale and state registration, if and when you get it. If you're going to register in Florida, I'd do it as soon as possible. We registered a boat in Florida 9 months ago that hasn't made it there yet. Your record of paying the import tax also. And, I'd carry a copy of the application for documentation.

If you intend to take the boat out of the country in the first few months, then I'd go for an expedited documentation. Otherwise really no consequence to the wait.

 

[windmill29130]

No more temporary documentation.

I stand corrected. I didn't know that it had changed.

 

[BandB]

I stand corrected. I didn't know that it had changed.

Recent event. November 7 was the last day of eligibility.

 

[GreenSailor]

Documentation or registration

Thanks for the information on documentation. I hadn't planed on registering the boat in Florida, only paying the sales tax. I would prefer to pay the sales tax when the boat arrives in Florida which may take 6 months. What do I carry on the boat in the mean time? A copy of my documentation application and a bill of sale. One other question, if I were to purchase a dingy along the way does it have to be registered in Florida?

 

[BandB]

Thanks for the information on documentation. I hadn't planed on registering the boat in Florida, only paying the sales tax. I would prefer to pay the sales tax when the boat arrives in Florida which may take 6 months. What do I carry on the boat in the mean time? A copy of my documentation application and a bill of sale. One other question, if I were to purchase a dingy along the way does it have to be registered in Florida?

Any motorized vessel has to be registered in Florida. Here is a pamphlet on Florida registration.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/fffvo.pdf

On the way to Florida carry the application and bill of sale but also a log of where you've been and where you're headed. You may need to explain why you're not registered in some states along the way. Familiarize yourself with the laws of each state so you don't exceed the time for not registering. Every state is different, but I'm not aware of any with shorter times than 60 days. However, read the caveat below.

The reason we registered in Florida prior to getting the boat there was a technicality in one of the states we were passing through. But for sales tax purposes waiting until you're there is to your benefit. I believe technically Georgia has the same technicality we faced but have never known anyone to get caught up in it. Here's the rule in question:

"Boats bearing valid registration from another state need not be registered in Georgia unless they are used in Georgia for more than 60 consecutive days." Note the technicality. You're not given the 60 days unless you're registered in another state. Technically you use it in the state and it's not registered elsewhere, you're suppose to register it. What technically accompanies is you're also suppose to pay use tax. Again, I've never known someone to run up against this rule, but this is what it is. Technically the 60 day exemptions are only given to boats registered in other states.

In our case we didn't want to fall victim to having to register in California and there's is worded the same as GA.

The following vessels do not have to be registered in California:

...

Vessels currently and lawfully numbered (registered) by another state that are principally used outside California.

And we were checked for registration in California more than once. First while docked in Marina Del Rey and then in San Diego.

 

[yachtbrokerguy]

Greensailor if you are going to be importing a boat into the US that is not US or Canadian built and you want to document the boat you may want to contact a customs broker in Miami that also is a documentation agent, Howard S. Reeder Inc. A first time documentation requires more paperwork such as a Master Carpenter Certificate or a Manufacturers Statement of Origin.
US built boats imported from Canada can file a Return of US built goods entry, and not pay duty. Canadian boats do not have an import duty (also boats built in Turkey and maybe some others) The US import duty is only 1.5% and on new boats the value of US built equipment like Caterpillar engines and other US built equipment is subtracted from the total value. The person to call at Howard S. Reeder Inc. is Trey Reeder 305-371-8431.
For Florida boat registrations and sales tax I call Valerie at Art's Tags here in Fort Lauderdale who is a boat specialist who is very helpful.