If you own a boat in the U.S., you must choose between Coast Guard or state registration. While both state and USCG registration confirm that your vessel is legally recognized, they serve different purposes and offer different benefits.
State registration covers smaller recreational boats and is managed by state governments for local waters. USCG documentation applies nationwide, offers broader recognition, and is available to qualifying vessels.
At the Vessel Registrar Center, we assist with USCG documentation. We provide access to official forms and a simplified process to register your vessel at the federal level. We do not assist with state registration, but we can help you determine whether your vessel qualifies for Coast Guard documentation and if that’s the right path for your situation.
Eligibility for Coast Guard Documentation
Not all vessels are eligible for USCG registration. To be documented, a vessel must measure at least five net tons and be wholly owned by a U.S. citizen. While “net tons” is a measurement of volume, not weight, most recreational vessels over 25 feet in length meet the requirement.
Documentation is required for vessels involved in certain commercial operations, such as transporting goods or passengers between U.S. ports or engaging in commercial fishing in federal waters. However, many recreational vessel owners also choose to document their boats voluntarily for the legal and financial advantages.
Through our platform, we help eligible boat owners determine their qualifications and complete their documentation quickly and accurately. Whether you’re documenting a new vessel or transitioning from state registration, we make the process more efficient.
Reasons for Federal Documentation
Federal USCG registration offers several advantages that state registration typically does not. For example, a documented vessel receives a U.S. official number and flies the U.S. flag when operating in foreign waters, establishing clear national identity and offering protections under U.S. maritime law.
Other benefits include:
- National and international recognition
- Eligibility to a First Preferred Ship Mortgage, often required by lenders
- Federal proof of ownership, reducing the risk of title fraud
- Potential exemption from some state registration requirements
If these advantages align with your needs, then documenting your vessel through the Coast Guard may be a better fit than state-level registration. We assist with all aspects of the documentation process, including renewals, reinstatements, changes in ownership, and more.
When USCG Registration May Not Apply
If your vessel is under five net tons or used exclusively on inland lakes and waterways with no connection to navigable waters, it may not be eligible for Coast Guard documentation. In those cases, state registration is your only option.
Additionally, some states require state registration for vessels regardless of whether they are federally documented. While most states exempt federally documented vessels from state registration, this is not universal. Some states require federally documented boats to register for state-issued stickers or pay state-specific taxes.
As a vessel owner, you are responsible for knowing the registration requirements of your state. Our services can help with Coast Guard documentation, but we encourage owners to verify any additional state-level obligations to remain compliant.
Can a Vessel Be Registered With Both the State and the Coast Guard?
In most cases, a vessel cannot be legally registered at both the state and federal levels—at least not in full. Federal documentation typically replaces the need for a state title and number, but in some jurisdictions, additional local requirements may still apply.
For example, while your vessel may not need a state-issued hull ID number or title, the state might still require you to pay use taxes or display a local validation sticker. This can create confusion, especially for first-time boat owners trying to stay compliant.
We offer resources and guidance to help vessel owners better understand where federal documentation ends and state requirements begin. Though our platform does not provide state registration, it equips you with everything needed for official USCG documentation and helps ensure you don’t miss a step.
The Services We Offer for Federally Documented Vessels
Our platform is designed to simplify every step of the federal documentation process. From your first application to yearly renewals, ownership transfers, or changes in vessel information, we provide secure access to official Coast Guard forms and a user-friendly system for submitting them.
We help with:
- Initial documentation
- Annual renewals
- Reinstatements for expired documentation
- Vessel name and hailing port changes
- Ownership transfers
- Preferred mortgage documentation
- Replacement of lost or damaged CODs
Our goal is to make documentation simple, accurate, and accessible. By using our portal, vessel owners can avoid the delays, confusion, or errors that often come with trying to navigate federal paperwork alone.
Matching the Right Endorsement to Your Vessel’s Use
When registering your vessel through the Coast Guard, you’ll be asked to choose an endorsement based on the primary purpose of your vessel. This endorsement becomes part of your documentation and dictates the legal use of your vessel under federal law.
The four main endorsements are:
- Recreational: For personal, non-commercial use only.
- Coastwise: Required for transporting goods or passengers between U.S. ports.
- Fishery: Necessary for commercial fishing activities in U.S. waters.
- Registry: Often used for international trade or vessels operating in foreign commerce.
We assist vessel owners in determining the appropriate endorsement and completing the required forms. If your use changes over time, we also help with adjusting endorsements to match your new activities.
How to Know Whether to Register Boat With Coast Guard or State
Choosing whether to register a boat with Coast Guard or state depends largely on your vessel’s size, use, and where you plan to operate. If your boat meets the federal eligibility criteria and you want access to the advantages that come with Coast Guard documentation, we can help you begin the process.
However, it’s important to stay aware of your state’s laws. Even if your vessel is federally documented, some states may require additional steps for compliance, such as tax registration or local decals. We encourage all vessel owners to confirm state-level rules before assuming federal documentation is the only requirement.
At the Vessel Registrar Center, we focus exclusively on federal documentation. Our tools and services are built to make USCG registration as smooth and accessible as possible. Whether you’re registering for the first time, renewing your documentation, or making changes, our platform offers the resources you need.