What a Yacht Closing Actually Needs From Your Notary
Yacht transactions don't move like a typical real estate closing, and the notary work involved shouldn't be treated like one either. Between multiple owners, lienholders, documentation requirements, and buyers or sellers who may not be anywhere near Florida when it's time to sign, getting the notarization piece wrong can hold up a deal that everyone thought was ready to close.
Here's what's actually involved, and how to decide whether remote online notarization or an in-person marina signing is the right call.
What Documents Typically Need Notarization
Most yacht and vessel transactions involve some combination of:
Bill of sale
Vessel title transfer or documentation forms (state-titled or USCG-documented vessels have different paperwork)
Powers of attorney, when a buyer, seller, or broker is signing on someone else's behalf
Loan or lien release documents
Affidavits of ownership or affidavits of no liens
Any of these that require notarization need to be handled correctly the first time — errors here can delay documentation with the state or the U.S. Coast Guard, which is its own process separate from the notarization itself.
When Remote Online Notarization Works
As a Florida Commissioned Remote Online Notary (RON), I can notarize documents for buyers, sellers, or brokers wherever they happen to be — across state lines or internationally — using secure biometric identity verification. This is often the more practical option when:
Parties are in different states or countries and coordinating an in-person meeting isn't realistic
The transaction needs to move quickly and scheduling travel would slow things down
The signer is more comfortable completing the process privately, from their own location
When an In-Person Marina Signing Makes More Sense
Some yacht closings call for being on-site — at the marina, aboard the vessel, or wherever the deal is actually happening. This tends to be the better fit when:
Multiple parties are meeting in person anyway to complete the transaction
The broker or attorney managing the deal prefers everything handled in one sitting, in one place
Discretion matters and the client prefers to keep the entire transaction contained to a single, private setting
I'm available for both, and can advise which makes more sense once I understand the specifics of your transaction.
Don't Forget: International Buyers May Need an Apostille
If the yacht is being purchased by, sold to, or registered under a buyer or entity outside the U.S., the bill of sale or related documents may need to be apostilled before they'll be accepted abroad. I coordinate notarization and apostille processing together, so this doesn't turn into a second, separate errand after the closing is already done.
Working With Brokers and Attorneys
If you're a yacht broker, maritime attorney, or closing coordinator, I work directly with your team to keep the notary piece from becoming the bottleneck — whether that means fast turnaround on a remote signing or being available dockside when the deal calls for it. Discretion and NDAs are standard, not an inconvenience.
Ready to Schedule a Yacht Closing Signing?
Whether your transaction needs a remote online notary or an in-person signing at the marina, I'll help you figure out the right approach and keep the paperwork from slowing down the deal.
