Choosing a boat name isn’t just about creativity or personal meaning. For documented vessels, the U.S. Coast Guard imposes specific standards regarding what names are acceptable and how they must be displayed. These rules help prevent confusion in navigation, enforcement, and emergency response.
Our platform lets you apply, change a vessel name, and manage filings easily through a digital, streamlined portal.
Before documentation or name changes, understand the naming rules and Coast Guard requirements to avoid issues.
What the U.S. Coast Guard Requires for Boat Names
Naming Guidelines and Restrictions
For a vessel to be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, the chosen name must meet certain criteria. First, the name must be unique among active documented vessels. While duplicate names are not prohibited, they are discouraged for clarity and safety, especially in radio communications and official records.
Vessel names may include letters, numbers, and spaces—but no symbols, punctuation, or special characters.
Profanity, offensive terms, or language that could be misleading in an emergency (such as “Mayday” or “S.O.S.”) is prohibited. Additionally, names that suggest affiliation with government agencies or impersonate official designations may be rejected.
You are also required to include a hailing port on the vessel’s documentation. The hailing port must be a U.S. city and state or territory. Hailing port must be a real U.S. location—not fictional or outside the country.
When you apply for documentation through our site, we ensure that your chosen name and hailing port meet federal standards. Our portal helps you enter vessel details correctly, and our team reviews submissions to avoid processing delays.
Best Practices When Choosing a Boat Name
How to Choose a Name That Endures
While following Coast Guard regulations is essential, there’s also a personal side to choosing a boat name. The name you select becomes your vessel’s identity, shown on documentation, the vessel, and all future official records.
Choosing a boat name that is meaningful, easy to say on the radio, and suitable for long-term use. Names that are hard to pronounce, contain obscure references, or are overly trendy may not age well. A boat’s name should be something you’re proud to share with guests, marina operators, and marine authorities.
Think about names that reflect the purpose of your vessel, your lifestyle, or even your family history. It’s also smart to research the name you’re considering to see if it’s widely used or carries unintended meanings. While name duplication is not necessarily prohibited, a unique name may help avoid confusion during vessel identification or emergency responses.
When you use our documentation services, we allow you to submit your preferred name and check for any potential issues that may arise during Coast Guard processing. If your name doesn’t meet the guidelines, we’ll help you correct the issue before it becomes a problem.
Marking Requirements for Documented Vessels
Displaying the Name and Hailing Port Correctly
After choosing a boat name and receiving your COD, federal law requires displaying the name and hailing port on the hull. Markings must appear on the stern or, if no transom, on both sides of the vessel’s bow.
The characters used for both the vessel name and the hailing port must be in block letters, at least four inches in height, and clearly visible. The color of the lettering must contrast with the background to ensure legibility. This is not just an aesthetic rule—it’s a legal requirement that allows authorities, mariners, and emergency services to quickly identify your vessel if needed.
In addition to the external markings, documented vessels must also permanently affix their official documentation number to a structural part of the hull. This number must be preceded by the abbreviation “NO.” and be at least three inches in height. It must be affixed in such a way that any attempt to remove it would cause obvious damage to the surrounding area, preserving its integrity and security.
If you’re registering your vessel through our portal, we can guide you on how and where to apply these markings once your documentation is complete. Our help doesn’t end when your form is submitted—we’re available to assist you through the entire process of becoming compliant.
How to Change a Boat’s Name with Our Help
Reasons to Rename and What’s Required
There are many reasons a vessel owner might choose to change a boat’s name. Maybe the vessel changed ownership, or perhaps the current name no longer fits your lifestyle or brand. As long as your documentation is current and the new name meets Coast Guard regulations, changing a boat’s name is a straightforward process.
To officially change your vessel’s name, you must file the appropriate documentation with the U.S. Coast Guard. This change is not automatic when you repaint the vessel or refer to it differently. Until the name is formally updated on your Certificate of Documentation, the previous name remains the legal identifier.
Our platform offers a simple and secure way to request a vessel name change. We guide you through the form, ensure all information is complete, and submit it to the appropriate authorities on your behalf. Once approved, you’ll receive an updated Certificate of Documentation reflecting the new name.
After the name change is processed, you must update the vessel’s markings accordingly. This means removing the previous name and replacing it with the new one on the hull and in all relevant records. Keep in mind that until this update is completed and your new COD is in hand, the old name is still considered the legal name of record.
Some vessel owners observe traditional naming ceremonies when changing a vessel’s name, often involving the symbolic removal of the old name and a formal blessing of the new one. While not a legal requirement, it can be a fun way to celebrate a new chapter in your vessel’s life.
Secure, Simple Submission of Documentation Forms
At the Vessel Registrar Center, we support every part of the vessel documentation process, including helping you select and formalize a name that fits your vessel and complies with federal law. When choosing a name boat, accuracy, clarity, and compliance are all essential. That’s why we’ve built our portal to eliminate confusion, prevent common mistakes, and keep your documentation on track.
Whether you’re documenting your vessel for the first time or changing an existing name, we make the process easier through our guided forms and expert review. From verifying eligibility to submitting your application to the Coast Guard, we help you avoid delays and ensure your chosen name is accepted.
We also provide help with renewals, reinstatements, endorsements, deletions, and Abstract of Title requests. Our site is mobile-friendly and encrypted for your security. If you’re ready to take the next step in naming your vessel, we’re here to assist you with every part of the process.