Boat title, lien and documentation services in Annapolis, MD
The paperwork that makes a boat sale real: bill of sale, title search and verification, lien search and release, and the USCG or state transfer documents — prepared, reviewed and filed. Serving the East Coast.
Every document a boat closing needs, in the right order
Buying a boat from a private seller typically takes a purchase and sale agreement, a bill of sale, proof of the seller’s ownership, lien release letters if there was a loan, and the registration or documentation transfer forms. On a brokered deal the same documents move through your office. We prepare and review them, make sure they are executed correctly, and file them.
- Purchase and sale agreement
- Closing and escrow agreement
- Warranty of title, signed by the seller
- Seller and buyer identification
- Title search and ownership verification
- Lien search, payoff letter and lien release
- Survey report or survey waiver
- Acceptance contract and acceptance document
- Closing statement
- Bill of sale
- USCG documentation or state title transfer forms, signed and filed
USCG-documented vessel: transfers through a bill of sale and a documentation filing with the Coast Guard.
State-titled boat: transfers through the state’s title and registration process.
We determine which applies to your boat at onboarding — “State or Coast Guard registration determined” is the fifth item on every closing checklist — and prepare and file the right documents.
Start a closingIs the seller the owner, and is the boat free and clear?
The two questions every buyer should ask, and the two we answer with documents rather than promises.
Ownership verification
We check the vessel’s USCG documentation or state title against the seller’s identification and require a warranty of title signed by the seller before closing. If the names do not match, the closing does not proceed until they do.
- Documentation or state title pulled and read
- Matched to the seller’s ID
- Warranty of title signed by the seller
Lien search and release
We run a title and lien search on the vessel — USCG documentation records and the relevant state registration — identify any lienholders, obtain a payoff letter, pay the lienholder directly from escrow at closing, and obtain the lien release before the balance is disbursed to the seller.
- Lien search initiated at onboarding
- Every lienholder identified
- Payoff letter obtained
- Paid from escrow, release in hand
Transferring ownership after you sell
It depends on how the boat is registered. A USCG-documented vessel transfers through a bill of sale and documentation filing; a state-titled boat transfers through the state’s title and registration process. If the bank still holds the title, the loan is paid off at closing from the buyer’s escrowed funds, the bank releases its lien, and the balance is paid to you. We coordinate the payoff letter, the release and the filing.
Protecting buyers. Protecting sellers. Closing with confidence.
Fees
Every deal is different — private or brokered, a lien to pay off or not, USCG-documented or state-titled. Call or text (410) 310-7366 or email closings@closemyboat.com with the basics and we will quote it. There is no charge to ask.
Start a closingPaperwork questions
What paperwork do I need when buying a boat from a private seller?
Typically a purchase and sale agreement, a bill of sale, proof of the seller’s ownership (USCG documentation or state title/registration), lien release letters if there was a loan, and the registration or documentation transfer forms. We prepare and review these for you.
How do I know the seller actually owns the boat?
We check the vessel’s USCG documentation or state title against the seller’s identification and require a signed warranty of title. If the names do not match, the closing does not proceed until they do.
How can I make sure the boat I am buying is being sold by the real owner?
We verify ownership against the documentation or state title, match it to the seller’s identification, and require a warranty of title signed by the seller before closing.
How do I make sure there are no liens on the boat I am purchasing?
We run a title and lien search on the vessel — USCG documentation records and the relevant state registration — identify any lienholders, and coordinate the payoff and lien release before funds are disbursed to the seller.
How do I make sure a lien gets released when buy a boat?
We identify every lienholder in the title search, obtain a payoff letter, pay the lienholder directly from escrow, and obtain the lien release document before the balance is disbursed to the seller.
How do I transfer ownership after selling my boat?
It depends on how the boat is registered: a USCG-documented vessel transfers through a bill of sale and documentation filing; a state-titled boat transfers through the state’s title and registration process. We determine which applies and prepare and file the right documents.
Can I sell my boat it the bank still hold the title?
Yes. The loan is paid off at closing from the buyer’s escrowed funds, the bank releases its lien, and the balance is paid to you. We coordinate the payoff letter and the release.
More on the FAQ page — 31 questions, answered.
Every closing uses all three
Escrow services
The buyer’s funds are held by a neutral third party and released only when every condition of the sale is met.
Escrow servicesClosing coordination
One team runs the 23-item closing checklist and keeps buyer, seller, brokers and lender moving to a completed transfer.
Closing coordination