Delaware Yacht Registration

We register boats under the Delaware (USA) flag – either as Company or Private Individual

YACHT REGISTRATION DELAWARE (USA) is a nautical service which registers new, second hand, home build boats, jet skis and other vessels under the Delaware (USA) Flag registry. We are the market leader in registering boats in Delaware. We have over 800 genuine reviews on Trustpilot with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars!

Delaware (USA) is one of the most widely chosen jurisdictions for ship registration and it is valid around the world. The Delaware (USA) flag registration is accessible to boat owners from any country, as there is no obligation of residence in Delaware (USA).

The Delaware vessel registration is also popular for European Union citizens that use their vessel within EU waters. If you have paid VAT on your boat you can use the Delaware registration within European waters and do not have to leave every 6 or 18 months!

We can register you as a private owner and you do not need a USA residency or citizenship to register in Delaware or we can setup an company (LLC) in Delaware to hold the ownership of your yacht and as the company is only used to own your vessel, you do not pay any corporate taxes. By doing so, you can protect your privacy and liability but if this is of no concern to you, then there is no use in spending the extra $299,- for setting up the LLC.

How much will it cost to register my yacht in Delaware?

We charge a flat $179,- service fee for handling your registration in the standard time of max 15 days or $249,- for our 3 day express service. Our price is all-inclusive and includes extra’s like translations & courier fees. The government fee is listed above and depends on the size of your vessel and if you want to register for 1 or 3 years.

How long is Delaware flag registration valid for?

You can choose yourself to register either for 1 year or for 3 years. The Delaware registration runs per calendar year, so from January 1 till December 31. We can already register you from October for the new year.

How long does it take to register boats under the Delaware (USA) flag?

We can register your boat in as little as 3 days if you choose our express service while the standard registration time is around 10 – 14 days. If you want us to register your boat with a newly formed Delaware LLC, you need to add just 2/3 days extra.

Can any nationality register a yacht under the Delaware (USA) flag?

Yes there are no restrictions on your nationality to register in Delaware. This applies for both the boat registration as well as for setting up a LLC company in Delaware.

Can I register as Company owned vessel or Private Individual?

We can register you as a private owner and you do not need a USA residency or citizenship to register in Delaware or we can setup an company (LLC) in Delaware to hold the ownership of your yacht and as the company is only used to own your vessel, you do not pay any corporate taxes.

Should I setup a company to own my vessel?

You can either register as a private person of any nationality or as a Delaware LLC. The choice is really yours and should be based on the need of; confidentiality, liability and what you plan to use the boat for.

Advantages of registering a vessel under a LLC company structure:

1. A non-US citizen may own a Delaware LLC which in turn can own a vessel registered in Delaware
2. Delaware has no sales tax, personal property tax, intangible tax or stock transfer tax.
3. Delaware has NO corporate income tax assessed for income derived outside of the State of Delaware.
4. A Delaware LLC can protect the boat owner from personal liability that may stem from any damage that can possibly occur, whether the fault of their boat or the operators of their boat at the time.
5. Sheltering a boat under a Delaware LLC also allows the owner to maintain his/her privacy. In Delaware, information about the members of an LLC is not required to be filed with the state, and is not on the public record.
6. Cost of registration and incorporation of a Delaware company is inexpensive.

What are the annual fees if I choose to setup a Delaware LLC to own my boat?

You will need to pay the yearly state renewal fee of $400,- and $99,- for the mandatory resident agent.

What does the Delaware flag registration look like?

The Delaware registration comes in a package which consists of a credit card format registration card and 2 stickers (decals) for on your boat.

What documents are needed to register under the Delaware(USA) Flag:

The documents required to register your boat vary depending on if the vessel was new OR used when you bought itand if you register as private or company ownership.

FIRST TIME DELAWARE REGISTRATION OF USED BOAT – if ownership is private

1. Duly filled-out DELAWARE BOAT REGISTRATION FORM – CHOOSE FOR 1 YEAR OR 3 YEAR REGISTRATION
2. Notarized Bill of Sale
3. Please provide us with a copy of previous registration or a deletion certificate (if applicable)

FIRST TIME DELAWARE REGISTRATION OF USED BOAT – if ownership will be Delaware LLC

1. If you choose to protect your boat by transferring ownership into a LLC fill in our COMPANY FORMATION APPLICATION FORM
2. Notarized Bill of Sale between the previous owner (is you) and the new Delaware LLC that we setup for you – click here to use our Bill of Sale example
3. Please provide us with a copy of previous registration or a deletion certificate (if applicable)

FIRST TIME DELAWARE REGISTRATION OF NEW BOAT

1. If the boat is new then you must also submit the ORIGINAL Certificate of Origin

BOAT ALREADY REGISTRED IN DELAWARE

1. To transfer a boat already registered in Delaware we need a notarized Bill of Sale and the previous owner's registration certificate in order to keep the same Delaware License number

What are the steps for registering my boat Delaware (USA)?

We take care of everything. There is a small difference depending if you register as private or corporate owned vessel.

(IF YOU SETUP AS PRIVATE OWNER)

STEP 1 – YOU PROVIDE US WITH THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS

You provide us with the simple paperwork required (see above) by email. We check the papers and if all correct send you a payment link.

STEP 2 - WE REGISTER YOUR VESSEL UNDER DELAWARE FLAG

We will apply for your Delaware yacht registration. This will take max 15 days, if you choose our regular service or max 3 days, if we go in person for our express service. When we receive your registration, we quickly email you a copy and send the original via overnight courier (included in our price).

(IF YOU SETUP WITH AN LLC)

STEP 1 – YOU PROVIDE US WITH MIN. DOCUMENTS

A non-US citizen may own a Delaware LLC which in turn can own a vessel registered in Delaware. We setup this LLC for you but it is 100% owned by you. You then make a bill of sale selling your boat to your own new Delaware LLC. The Bill of sale has to be notarized which is easy since you are both the seller (person) as well as the buyer (your company) This LLC is used solely for the ownership of your boat and will therefor not need to pay any taxes. The setup of the LLC will only take about 2/3 days. You can use our sample Bill of Sale or use your own.

STEP 2 - WE REGISTER YOUR VESSEL UNDER DELAWARE FLAG

Once your LLC is formed and you have notarized the Bill of Sale, we will apply for your Delaware yacht registration. This will take max 15 days, if you choose our regular service or max 3 days, if we go by in person for our express service. When we receive your registration, we quickly email you a copy and send the original via overnight courier (included in our price).

Other services we offer in regards to Delaware Registrations:

We can also arrange a MMSI Radio license

As you are probably aware, it is mandatory by law to have an MMSI - radio license onboard your vessel at all times, so we highly recommend our clients to get this while applying for your boat ownership document. Having an MMSI license onboard avoids problems when you are checked by local authorities.

You do not need to do any course to receive the license, all we need is some information about you and your vessel which can be filled in on our order form. Fill in the form, make the payment and the same day, you have a MMSI radio certificate for your vessel that is valid for all countries around the world.

We offer MMSI licenses that are issued by the USA and UK governments. Both have no restrictions on your nationality or under which flag your vessel is registered and are valid for 10 years. It only takes us 1 day to obtain your license.

What kind of MMSI license do I need for International waters?
If you use your vessel in international waters (even Bahamas or Canada) you will need an international MMSI license. In order to obtain a worldwide valid MMSI license that is valid in all International waters you have 2 options:

License issued by UK Telecom 169 USD with a boat registration (215 USD without):
We can also offer you a worldwide MMSI issued by the UK Telecom authorities. This official radio license will be valid to use with a VHF, AIS, and EPIRB on your boat AND IT DOES NOT MATTER UNDER WHICH FLAG YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED.

License issued by US FCC 349 USD:
We can also offer you a MMSI issued by the US FCC Telecom authorities. This official radio license will be valid to use with a VHF, AIS, and EPIRB on your boat AND IS ONLY VALID FOR US FLAGGED VESSELS.