Go to Frequently Asked Questions?

Help with Claiming a Location

Zoom in by using the slide bar on the right of the map.
Pull the map around to center the cross-hair over your desired location
Click the CLAIM NOW! button.

You will then be directed to confirm the location and to proceed to the check out process.
There, you will enter information to customize your registration documents and parcel.

I can’t claim the location I am clicking on?

Are you having difficulties claiming a location? Perhaps you clicked too far on land or too close to an existing parcel. Or perhaps your oceanic location is not claimable. Please read to learn why:

LAND BOUNDARIES

Due to the land boundaries data available, shoreline data can be inaccurate. As a result, some regions of the earth contain land boundaries or shoreline boundaries which do not precisely match up with the existing satellite imagery. This means that the map, in some regions or the earth, does not distinguish between land and water and thus makes it possible for the end user to claim a location on land. Also, in some oceanic locations, this will prevent the user from claiming a piece of ocean because the data available defines that region as land.

If there is an oceanic location you’d like to claim, which is not available on our map, please contact us at info@theoceanregistry.com and we’d be happy to assist you.

We are doing our best to build accurate land and water map data every day. If you discover a land location that can be claimed, please let us know of the area so that we can remove that piece of land from our system.

**Please do not claim a piece of land, this is The Ocean Registry ® system and we cannot display land claim parcel icons on our map.

HOW PARCELS ARE CREATED

Parcel are created by drawing a circle around your chosen location. Once you pick a spot, our system will draw a diameter of 71 meters (approximately 235.5 ft). around that center point to create your circular parcel. If your chosen center point is close to an existing parcel, the system will detect an overlapping of circles and won’t allow that location to be claimed.

Simply move farther away from the existing parcel and try to claim again.

 

FAQ

  1. What forms of payment do we accept?
  2. When will I receive my ocean registry registration documents?
  3. What is a parcel of ocean?
  4. Am I really buying a piece of the ocean?
  5. How is my parcel registered?
  6. Is any portion of the registration fee donated to charitable organizations?
  7. What is your return policy ?
  8. I received an ocean parcel as a gift. How do I find my ocean parcel on the map?
  9. What if I have problems with claiming my site location?
  10. What kind of message can a person enter into their parcel ?
  11. Why are some locations, such as famous shipwrecks and POINT NEMO blocked from purchase?
  12. What are your green initiatives?

Question: What forms of payment do we accept?

Answer:

Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal

Question: When will I receive my ocean registry registration documents?

Answer:

If you ordered the Standard Package (PDF version), you will receive the documents via an email that will arrive within approximately 48 hours of purchase and the documents will be available for download up to 72 hours after receipt of the email. The Deluxe Package will arrive snail mail within approximately 7-10 business days using US standard first class mail. Rush orders and international shipping will be available soon.

Question: What is a parcel of ocean?

Answer:

A parcel of ocean in The Ocean Registry system is defined by a circular area around a center GPS point. Parcels on The Ocean Registry map are circular and about 71 meters in diameter. Parcels only appear once claimed, so once you “claim” a location, you can visually see the circular parcel and its boundaries because the parcel location is stamped with The Ocean Registry seal. Your registered parcel’s boundaries are defined by the size and shape of the seal floating on your ocean parcel.

Question: Am I really buying a piece of the ocean?

Answer:

It is important to understand that you are purchasing a registration package service and that you are not literally buying a piece of the ocean since no one actually owns our great blue seas. Rather, you are buying a unique gift which allows you to mark a special place in the ocean which you claim as yours on the The Ocean Registry website. The locations of these sites will be documented and recorded via copyright at the US Library of Congress.

Question: How is my parcel registered?

Answer:

All registries are published in our periodical, The Ocean Registry, which is copyrighted with the US Library of Congress. Once a location of water is registered, it is exclusive to the registrant and that area is no longer available to be claimed by someone else. The registrant owns exclusive registration rights to that real parcel of ocean and a personal claim to that online ocean space at TheOceanRegistry.com.

Question: Is any portion of the registration fee donated to charitable organizations?

Answer:

Yes, 50% of the proceeds from every registered parcel are dedicated to non-profit educational and ecological causes benefiting the world’s oceans. Please click on the Partners Tab to read more about our efforts to give back.

Question: What is your return policy ?

Answer:

Because of how the Ocean Registry site is configured, once a purchase is made, we are unable to issue refunds. We post reminders during the check out process to be careful in selecting your site, while crafting your special message and when entering the details that personalize your documents. Reminders are also posted just prior to purchase to check all of the information you’ve entered to ensure accuracy. If there is an issue with your mailed certificate package, please contact us at info@theoceanregistry.com

Question: I received an ocean parcel as a gift. How do I find my ocean parcel on the map?

Answer:

Follow the main page instructions to Find Your Registered Parcel.
(You will click on Get Started to be taken to the map page. Here, you will enter your parcel ID number into the Search Box and click Search to be taken to your parcel. Click on your parcel marker and your parcel’s ID bubble will appear showing your parcel details and personal message.)

Question: What if I have problems with claiming my site location?

Answer:

It may be because of the Land Boundaries data we have. Please review the information about Land Boundaries on the bottom of the map.
If you have difficulties with claiming a specific location, please email us and we’ll work with you to determine how this can be corrected.

Question: What kind of message can a person enter into their parcel ?

Answer:

Message Content can be anything of an appropriate nature: a note to a loved one, a gift message, an eco message to the world, a commemoration.
We ask registrants and visitors to self manage the website. This is your ocean community and so we do ask that you look out for inappropriate content and report it to the administrators as quickly as possible. The administrator reserves the right to remove content that he/she feels may be offensive.
We do ask members not to use the parcels to advertise their businesses. Please contact us to discuss your advertising interests. info@theoceanregistry.com

Question: Why are some locations, such as famous shipwrecks and POINT NEMO blocked from purchase?

Answer:

These famous and special oceanic locations are saved for a special promotion that will benefit the ocean. Please check back with us in the future to learn more about such promotions.

Question: What are your green initiatives?

Answer:

We are proud of our initiative to keep our environmental impact low. Each registration comes with a downloadable PDF Certificate of Registration, World Map Sheet and Letter of Registration sent via email. By choosing to order the Deluxe Package, please know environmentally friendly methods were used to create the mailed registration package. All printing is produced by a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified printer using Soy Based Ink.



The Eco-friendly features of each piece of the deluxe package is described below:


  • Certificate of Registration and World Map Sheet – The paper used is Acid Free, Elemental Chlorine Free, Green-e Certified, Lignin Free, made using Wind Energy, Recyclable, 30% Post Consumer Waste and Carbon Neutral.
  • Letter of Registration – Made from 100% Recycled Fiber and 100% Post Consumer Fiber.
  • Shipping Labels – 100% Recycled White Labels, 100% Post Consumer Waste
  • Shipping Envelope (Document mailer) – Made from 80% Recycled Board