Checking ownership

Confirm the seller is the registered owner, or holds written authority from the owner. Match names across the registration, the bills of sale and the ID.

Updated 24 Oct 2026 2 min read

Key points

Ask for the registration certificate and the chain of bills of sale.
For a company owner, check who may sign for it.
For several owners, every owner signs.

What to ask for

The registration certificate, in the seller's name or the company's.
A recent extract from the register. In Spain, a Spanish law firm lists a copy of the Capitanía registration sheet and an extract from the ships' section of the movable goods registry.
The chain of bills of sale from the first owner to the seller, with no gaps.
The seller's ID, matching the name on the registration.

Match the names

The name on the passport, the registration and the last bill of sale must be the same person. Spelling differences are common and fixable, but ask the seller to explain them. A different name means a different owner.

Sellers who are not the owner

A power of attorney. It must be signed by the owner, cover the sale of this boat, and be valid in the country where it is used. A notary usually certifies it, and a foreign one may need translation or an apostille.
A broker with a listing agreement. The agreement shows the owner's authority to sell, but the owner still signs the bill of sale unless the broker holds a power of attorney.
An heir. The sale needs the proof of inheritance.

Company owners

Ask for the company's registration extract, the name of the person who may sign, and the board decision approving the sale. Check that the signatory's authority matches the extract.

Several owners

When a boat has co-owners, all of them sign the sale, or send a power of attorney. A sale signed by one owner can be challenged later by the others. See Who should own the boat? Private, company or co-ownership.

Check the register

Ask your broker or lawyer to confirm the entry with the registry, and to look for any note about charges. See Liens, mortgages and encumbrances.

Also useful at step 4 Liens, mortgages and encumbrances

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.