United States Registration

The United States is the world's largest yacht and boat market. Vessels in the US are recorded under two separate systems: federal documentation and state registration.

Federal documentation is kept by the National Vessel Documentation Center of the US Coast Guard and is, as a rule, open to US citizens and companies controlled by US citizens. State registration is handled by each state's own authorities.

General Information

• Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Language: English (de facto)
• Currency: US Dollar
• Legal system: Common law; maritime law is federal
• Registration systems: federal (US Coast Guard) and state registration

Key Features

• The US flag enjoys US diplomatic protection worldwide and is one of the most recognised flags.
• A federal Certificate of Documentation serves as a certificate of nationality accepted in international waters and allows a preferred ship mortgage to be recorded.
• Delaware, with its strong corporate law and business-friendly structure, is one of the leading states for company formation and vessel registration.
• With Ata Yatçılık's Delaware branch (Ata Yachting Limited), your US matters are followed up on the ground.

Who Is It For?

• Owners using their yacht in US waters or planning to take it to the US.
• Owners who want to hold their yacht through a US company (e.g. a Delaware company).
• Private yacht owners who want one of the world's most recognised flags.