FAQ's
How Can I Find Information on a Vessel in The Bahamas?
Discover Details on Certain Vessels in The Bahamas Using Our Foreign Vessel Title Search
Anyone seeking information on a vessel in The Bahamas can utilize the Foreign Vessel Title Search/Transcript of Registry to access documentation details.
This form provides access to vessel documentation not only in The Bahamas but also in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom.
Information available through this form typically includes the vessel’s name, official number, home port, owner details, registration status, vessel description, and any liens or mortgages and other encumbrances against the vessel.
The level of detail in a Foreign Vessel Title Search/Transcript of Registry varies based on the availability of maritime records in the relevant country.
While a U.S. title search usually takes 48 hours, searches in other countries can take longer due to varying processing times.
Use the following link to request a Foreign Vessel Title Search/Transcript of Registry.
To obtain information on a U.S. vessel, use this link for an Abstract of Title.
Assistance with U.S. Documented Vessels Beyond the Abstract of Title
The Vessel Registrar Center offers straightforward access to vessel information, whether the vessel is registered in the U.S. or internationally. In addition to the forms above, we provide vessel documentation search services.
The following legal resources may clarify your situation:
67.5 Vessels eligible for documentation.
Any vessel of at least five net tons wholly owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States is eligible for documentation under this part. This includes, but is not limited to, vessels used exclusively for recreational purposes and vessels used in foreign trade.
67.7 Vessels requiring documentation.
Any vessel of at least five net tons which engages in the fisheries on the navigable waters of the United States or in the Exclusive Economic Zone, or coastwise trade, unless exempt under § 67.9(c), must have a Certificate of Documentation bearing a valid endorsement appropriate for the activity in which engaged.
Subpart C—Citizenship Requirements for Vessel Documentation
67.30 Requirement for citizen owner.
Certificates of Documentation may be issued under this part only to vessels which are wholly owned by United States citizens. Pursuant to extraordinary legislation at 46 U.S.C. 12118 (Bowater Amendment) and 46 U.S.C. 12117 (Oil Pollution Act of 1990), Certificates of Documentation with limited endorsements may be issued in accordance with part 68 of this chapter to vessels owned by certain persons who are not citizens as defined in this part.
67.31 Stock or equity interest requirements.
(a) The stock or equity interest requirements for citizenship under this subpart encompass: title to all classes of stock; title to voting stock; and ownership of equity. An otherwise qualifying corporation or partnership may fail to meet stock or equity interest requirements because: Stock is subject to trust or fiduciary obligations in favor of non-citizens; non-citizens exercise, directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The applicable stock or equity interest requirement is not met if the amount of stock subject to obligations in favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the non-citizen interest permitted.
(b) For the purpose of stock or equity interest requirements for citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct corporate or partnership business; limit the actions of or replace the chief executive officer, a majority of the board of directors, or any general partner; direct the transfer or operations of any vessel owned by the corporation or partnership; or otherwise exercise authority over the business of the corporation or partnership. Control does not include the right to simply participate in these activities or the right to receive a financial return, e.g., interest or the equivalent of interest on a loan or other financing obligations.
(c) For the purpose of this section, control of a fishing industry vessel means having:
(1) The right to direct the business of the entity that owns the vessel;
(2) The right to limit the actions of or to replace the chief executive officer, the majority of the board of directors, any general partner, or any person serving in a management capacity of the entity that owns the vessel;
(3) The right to direct the transfer, the operation, or the manning of a vessel with a fishery endorsement.
(d) For purposes of meeting the stock or equity interest requirements for citizenship under this subpart where title to a vessel is held by an entity comprised, in whole or in part, of other entities which are not individuals, each entity contributing to the stock or equity interest qualifications of the entity holding title must be a citizen eligible to document vessels in its own right with the trade endorsement sought.
67.33 Individual.
An individual is a citizen if native-born, naturalized, or a derivative citizen of the United States, or otherwise qualifies as a United States citizen.
67.35 Partnership.
A partnership meets citizenship requirements if all its general partners are citizens, and:
(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or recreational endorsement, at least 50 percent of the equity interest in the partnership is owned by citizens.
(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, at least 75 percent of the equity interest in the partnership, at each tier of the partnership and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
(c) For the purpose of obtaining a coastwise endorsement at least 75 percent of the equity interest in the partnership is owned by citizens or the vessel qualifies under § 68.60 or § 68.105 of this chapter.
67.36 Trust.
(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or recreational endorsement, a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) Each of its trustees is a citizen; and
(2) Each beneficiary with an enforceable interest in the trust is a citizen.
(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets all the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) At least 75 percent of the equity interest in the trust, at each tier of the trust and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
(c) For the purpose of obtaining a coastwise endorsement a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and at least 75 percent of the equity interest in the trust is owned by citizens; or
(2) It meets the requirements of § 68.60 or § 68.105 of this chapter.
67.37 Association or joint venture.
(a) An association meets citizenship requirements if each of its members is a citizen.
(b) A joint venture meets citizenship requirements if each of its members is a citizen.
67.39 Corporation.
(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or a recreational endorsement, a corporation meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It is incorporated under the laws of the United States or of a State;
(2) Its chief executive officer, by whatever title, is a citizen;
(3) Its chairman of the board of directors is a citizen; and
(4) No more of its directors are non-citizens than a minority of the number necessary to constitute a quorum.
(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, a corporation meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets all the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) At least 75 percent of the stock interest in the corporation, at each tier of the corporation and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
(c) For the purpose of obtaining a coastwise endorsement a corporation meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and at least 75 percent of the stock interest in the corporation is owned by citizens; or
(2) It meets the requirements of § 68.60 or § 68.105 of this chapter.
(d) A corporation which does not meet the stock interest requirement of paragraph (c) of this section may qualify for limited coastwise trading privileges by meeting the requirements of part 68 of this chapter.
67.41 Governmental entity.
A governmental entity is a citizen for the purpose of obtaining a vessel document if it is an entity of the Federal Government of the United States or of the government of a State as defined in § 67.3.
67.43 Evidence of citizenship.
When received by the Coast Guard, a properly completed original Application for Initial Issue, Exchange, or Replacement of Certificate of Documentation; or Redocumentation (form CG–1258) establishes a rebuttable presumption that the applicant is a United States citizen.
67.47 Requirement for Maritime Administration approval.
(a) The following transactions, among others, require approval of the Maritime Administration in accordance with 46 CFR part 221:
(1) Placement of the vessel under foreign registry;
(2) Operation of the vessel under the authority of a foreign country; and
(3) Sale or transfer of an interest in or control of the vessel from a citizen of the United States to a person not a citizen of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 50501.
(b) A Certificate of Documentation may not be issued for a vessel which subsequent to the last issuance of a Certificate of Documentation has undergone any transaction listed in paragraph (a) of this section, even if the owner meets the citizenship requirements of this subpart, unless evidence is provided that the Maritime Administration approved the transaction.
(c) The restriction imposed by paragraph (b) of this section does not apply to a vessel identified in § 67.11(b).
Subpart D—Title Requirements for Vessel Documentation
67.50 Requirement for title evidence.
The owner of a vessel must present title evidence in accordance with one of the methods specified in this subpart:
(a) When application is made for a coastwise endorsement for a vessel which has not previously been qualified for such endorsement;
(b) For initial documentation of a vessel;
(c) When the ownership of a documented vessel changes in whole or in part;
(d) When the general partners of a partnership owning a documented vessel change by addition, deletion, or substitution, without dissolution of the partnership; or
(e) When a vessel which has been deleted from documentation is returned to documentation and there has been an intervening change in ownership.
67.53 Methods of establishing title.
Title to a vessel may be established through one of the following methods:
(a) Simplified method without evidence of build. The owner must produce a copy of the last registration of the vessel (State, Federal, or foreign) and evidence which establishes chain of title from that registration to the present owner.
(b) Simplified method with evidence of build. The owner must produce a copy of the last registration of the vessel (State, Federal, or foreign) and evidence which establishes the chain of title from that registration to the present owner along with evidence of the facts of build in accordance with subpart F of this part.
(c) Complete chain of title, without evidence of citizenship for each entity in that chain of title. The owner must provide evidence which establishes:
(1) The facts of build in accordance with subpart F of this part; and
(2) A complete chain of title for the vessel from the person for whom the vessel was built to the present owner.
(d) Complete chain of title, with evidence of citizenship for each entity in that chain of title. The owner must provide evidence which establishes:
(1) The facts of build in accordance with subpart F of this part; and
(2) A complete chain of title for the vessel from the person for whom the vessel was built to the present owner, accompanied by competent and persuasive evidence establishing the citizenship of each entity in the chain of title.
67.55 Requirement for removal from foreign registry.
The owner of a vessel must present evidence of removal of the vessel from foreign registry whenever:
(a) The owner applies for initial documentation of a vessel that has at any time been registered under the laws of a foreign country; or
(b) The owner applies for reentry into documentation of a vessel that had been registered under the laws of a foreign country since it was last documented under the laws of the United States.
Anyone seeking information on a vessel in The Bahamas can utilize the Foreign Vessel Title Search/Transcript of Registry to access documentation details.
This form provides access to vessel documentation not only in The Bahamas but also in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom.
Information available through this form typically includes the vessel’s name, official number, home port, owner details, registration status, vessel description, and any liens or mortgages and other encumbrances against the vessel.
The level of detail in a Foreign Vessel Title Search/Transcript of Registry varies based on the availability of maritime records in the relevant country.
While a U.S. title search usually takes 48 hours, searches in other countries can take longer due to varying processing times.
Use the following link to request a Foreign Vessel Title Search/Transcript of Registry.
To obtain information on a U.S. vessel, use this link for an Abstract of Title.
Assistance with U.S. Documented Vessels Beyond the Abstract of Title
The Vessel Registrar Center offers straightforward access to vessel information, whether the vessel is registered in the U.S. or internationally. In addition to the forms above, we provide vessel documentation search services.
The following legal resources may clarify your situation:
67.5 Vessels eligible for documentation.
Any vessel of at least five net tons wholly owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States is eligible for documentation under this part. This includes, but is not limited to, vessels used exclusively for recreational purposes and vessels used in foreign trade.
67.7 Vessels requiring documentation.
Any vessel of at least five net tons which engages in the fisheries on the navigable waters of the United States or in the Exclusive Economic Zone, or coastwise trade, unless exempt under § 67.9(c), must have a Certificate of Documentation bearing a valid endorsement appropriate for the activity in which engaged.
Subpart C—Citizenship Requirements for Vessel Documentation
67.30 Requirement for citizen owner.
Certificates of Documentation may be issued under this part only to vessels which are wholly owned by United States citizens. Pursuant to extraordinary legislation at 46 U.S.C. 12118 (Bowater Amendment) and 46 U.S.C. 12117 (Oil Pollution Act of 1990), Certificates of Documentation with limited endorsements may be issued in accordance with part 68 of this chapter to vessels owned by certain persons who are not citizens as defined in this part.
67.31 Stock or equity interest requirements.
(a) The stock or equity interest requirements for citizenship under this subpart encompass: title to all classes of stock; title to voting stock; and ownership of equity. An otherwise qualifying corporation or partnership may fail to meet stock or equity interest requirements because: Stock is subject to trust or fiduciary obligations in favor of non-citizens; non-citizens exercise, directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The applicable stock or equity interest requirement is not met if the amount of stock subject to obligations in favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the non-citizen interest permitted.
(b) For the purpose of stock or equity interest requirements for citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct corporate or partnership business; limit the actions of or replace the chief executive officer, a majority of the board of directors, or any general partner; direct the transfer or operations of any vessel owned by the corporation or partnership; or otherwise exercise authority over the business of the corporation or partnership. Control does not include the right to simply participate in these activities or the right to receive a financial return, e.g., interest or the equivalent of interest on a loan or other financing obligations.
(c) For the purpose of this section, control of a fishing industry vessel means having:
(1) The right to direct the business of the entity that owns the vessel;
(2) The right to limit the actions of or to replace the chief executive officer, the majority of the board of directors, any general partner, or any person serving in a management capacity of the entity that owns the vessel;
(3) The right to direct the transfer, the operation, or the manning of a vessel with a fishery endorsement.
(d) For purposes of meeting the stock or equity interest requirements for citizenship under this subpart where title to a vessel is held by an entity comprised, in whole or in part, of other entities which are not individuals, each entity contributing to the stock or equity interest qualifications of the entity holding title must be a citizen eligible to document vessels in its own right with the trade endorsement sought.
67.33 Individual.
An individual is a citizen if native-born, naturalized, or a derivative citizen of the United States, or otherwise qualifies as a United States citizen.
67.35 Partnership.
A partnership meets citizenship requirements if all its general partners are citizens, and:
(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or recreational endorsement, at least 50 percent of the equity interest in the partnership is owned by citizens.
(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, at least 75 percent of the equity interest in the partnership, at each tier of the partnership and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
(c) For the purpose of obtaining a coastwise endorsement at least 75 percent of the equity interest in the partnership is owned by citizens or the vessel qualifies under § 68.60 or § 68.105 of this chapter.
67.36 Trust.
(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or recreational endorsement, a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) Each of its trustees is a citizen; and
(2) Each beneficiary with an enforceable interest in the trust is a citizen.
(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets all the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) At least 75 percent of the equity interest in the trust, at each tier of the trust and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
(c) For the purpose of obtaining a coastwise endorsement a trust arrangement meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and at least 75 percent of the equity interest in the trust is owned by citizens; or
(2) It meets the requirements of § 68.60 or § 68.105 of this chapter.
67.37 Association or joint venture.
(a) An association meets citizenship requirements if each of its members is a citizen.
(b) A joint venture meets citizenship requirements if each of its members is a citizen.
67.39 Corporation.
(a) For the purpose of obtaining a registry or a recreational endorsement, a corporation meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It is incorporated under the laws of the United States or of a State;
(2) Its chief executive officer, by whatever title, is a citizen;
(3) Its chairman of the board of directors is a citizen; and
(4) No more of its directors are non-citizens than a minority of the number necessary to constitute a quorum.
(b) For the purpose of obtaining a fishery endorsement, a corporation meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets all the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) At least 75 percent of the stock interest in the corporation, at each tier of the corporation and in the aggregate, is owned by citizens.
(c) For the purpose of obtaining a coastwise endorsement a corporation meets citizenship requirements if:
(1) It meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and at least 75 percent of the stock interest in the corporation is owned by citizens; or
(2) It meets the requirements of § 68.60 or § 68.105 of this chapter.
(d) A corporation which does not meet the stock interest requirement of paragraph (c) of this section may qualify for limited coastwise trading privileges by meeting the requirements of part 68 of this chapter.
67.41 Governmental entity.
A governmental entity is a citizen for the purpose of obtaining a vessel document if it is an entity of the Federal Government of the United States or of the government of a State as defined in § 67.3.
67.43 Evidence of citizenship.
When received by the Coast Guard, a properly completed original Application for Initial Issue, Exchange, or Replacement of Certificate of Documentation; or Redocumentation (form CG–1258) establishes a rebuttable presumption that the applicant is a United States citizen.
67.47 Requirement for Maritime Administration approval.
(a) The following transactions, among others, require approval of the Maritime Administration in accordance with 46 CFR part 221:
(1) Placement of the vessel under foreign registry;
(2) Operation of the vessel under the authority of a foreign country; and
(3) Sale or transfer of an interest in or control of the vessel from a citizen of the United States to a person not a citizen of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 50501.
(b) A Certificate of Documentation may not be issued for a vessel which subsequent to the last issuance of a Certificate of Documentation has undergone any transaction listed in paragraph (a) of this section, even if the owner meets the citizenship requirements of this subpart, unless evidence is provided that the Maritime Administration approved the transaction.
(c) The restriction imposed by paragraph (b) of this section does not apply to a vessel identified in § 67.11(b).
Subpart D—Title Requirements for Vessel Documentation
67.50 Requirement for title evidence.
The owner of a vessel must present title evidence in accordance with one of the methods specified in this subpart:
(a) When application is made for a coastwise endorsement for a vessel which has not previously been qualified for such endorsement;
(b) For initial documentation of a vessel;
(c) When the ownership of a documented vessel changes in whole or in part;
(d) When the general partners of a partnership owning a documented vessel change by addition, deletion, or substitution, without dissolution of the partnership; or
(e) When a vessel which has been deleted from documentation is returned to documentation and there has been an intervening change in ownership.
67.53 Methods of establishing title.
Title to a vessel may be established through one of the following methods:
(a) Simplified method without evidence of build. The owner must produce a copy of the last registration of the vessel (State, Federal, or foreign) and evidence which establishes chain of title from that registration to the present owner.
(b) Simplified method with evidence of build. The owner must produce a copy of the last registration of the vessel (State, Federal, or foreign) and evidence which establishes the chain of title from that registration to the present owner along with evidence of the facts of build in accordance with subpart F of this part.
(c) Complete chain of title, without evidence of citizenship for each entity in that chain of title. The owner must provide evidence which establishes:
(1) The facts of build in accordance with subpart F of this part; and
(2) A complete chain of title for the vessel from the person for whom the vessel was built to the present owner.
(d) Complete chain of title, with evidence of citizenship for each entity in that chain of title. The owner must provide evidence which establishes:
(1) The facts of build in accordance with subpart F of this part; and
(2) A complete chain of title for the vessel from the person for whom the vessel was built to the present owner, accompanied by competent and persuasive evidence establishing the citizenship of each entity in the chain of title.
67.55 Requirement for removal from foreign registry.
The owner of a vessel must present evidence of removal of the vessel from foreign registry whenever:
(a) The owner applies for initial documentation of a vessel that has at any time been registered under the laws of a foreign country; or
(b) The owner applies for reentry into documentation of a vessel that had been registered under the laws of a foreign country since it was last documented under the laws of the United States.
What Do I Have to Do With a Certificate of Documentation?
A Certificate of Documentation must remain on board a documented vessel according to 46 CFR 67.313.
That states, under “Requirement to have Certificate of Documentation on board,” that “the person in command of a documented vessel must have on board that vessel the original Certificate of Documentation currently in effect for that vessel.”
That states, under “Requirement to have Certificate of Documentation on board,” that “the person in command of a documented vessel must have on board that vessel the original Certificate of Documentation currently in effect for that vessel.”
How Can I Find Out Who Owns This Yacht?
Interested parties can find vessel ownership information by applying for an Abstract of Title.
An Abstract of Title will include the managing owner of a documented vessel as well as the ownership history of a vessel and the status of any encumbrances/liens on the vessel.
Use this form to apply for an Abstract of Title.
An Abstract of Title will include the managing owner of a documented vessel as well as the ownership history of a vessel and the status of any encumbrances/liens on the vessel.
Use this form to apply for an Abstract of Title.
How Do I Check if a Documented Vessel Has a Lien Against It?
To discover if a documented vessel has an outstanding lien or mortgage against it (or had one in the past that was satisfied), vessel owners can apply for an Abstract of Title.
This form will contain that information about encumbrances such as liens and mortgages. Additionally, the Abstract will include information about the vessel’s current ownership as well as its chain of ownership. This information was removed from vessel documentation searches sometime in 2018.
Use this link to apply for a USCG Abstract of Title.
This form will contain that information about encumbrances such as liens and mortgages. Additionally, the Abstract will include information about the vessel’s current ownership as well as its chain of ownership. This information was removed from vessel documentation searches sometime in 2018.
Use this link to apply for a USCG Abstract of Title.
What Are the Coast Guard Requirements for Boats?
To be eligible for USCG vessel documentation, the Coast Guard requirements for boats include citizen requirements, size (tonnage) requirements, and marking requirements.
First, according to 46 CFR 67.5, “any vessel of at least five net tons wholly owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States is eligible for documentation. This includes, but is not limited to, vessels used exclusively for recreational purposes and vessels used in foreign trade.”
First, according to 46 CFR 67.5, “any vessel of at least five net tons wholly owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States is eligible for documentation. This includes, but is not limited to, vessels used exclusively for recreational purposes and vessels used in foreign trade.”
Are There Advantages to US Coast Guard Boat Documentation?
US Coast Guard Boat Documentation Advantages
Yes. Documented vessels are allowed into certain trades, such as the fisheries or engaging in coastwise trade (such as transporting people and/or merchandise) on the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone. Eligible vessels are unable to do so without documentation.
Furthermore, vessel documentation often makes clearing customers easier, dealing with foreign ports and the like.
Documented Vessels Can Apply for a Preferred Ship's Mortgage
USCG documentation makes it possible for financial institutions to offer a Preferred Mortgage. For a majority of vessel owners who wish to finance a vessel, they will most likely have to document their vessels.
Use this form to apply for initial US Coast Guard boat documentation.
Vessel owners who wish to do so can use this form to apply for a Preferred Ship's Mortgage.
Endorsements and Vessel Documentation Laws
When documenting a vessel, vessel owners must choose an endorsement for their vessel. Examples of these include "Registry," "Coastwise," "Fishery," and "Recreational." All vessels can be used recreationally but vessels with a "Recreational" endorsement can only be used for recreation.
Yes. Documented vessels are allowed into certain trades, such as the fisheries or engaging in coastwise trade (such as transporting people and/or merchandise) on the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone. Eligible vessels are unable to do so without documentation.
Furthermore, vessel documentation often makes clearing customers easier, dealing with foreign ports and the like.
Documented Vessels Can Apply for a Preferred Ship's Mortgage
USCG documentation makes it possible for financial institutions to offer a Preferred Mortgage. For a majority of vessel owners who wish to finance a vessel, they will most likely have to document their vessels.
Use this form to apply for initial US Coast Guard boat documentation.
Vessel owners who wish to do so can use this form to apply for a Preferred Ship's Mortgage.
Endorsements and Vessel Documentation Laws
When documenting a vessel, vessel owners must choose an endorsement for their vessel. Examples of these include "Registry," "Coastwise," "Fishery," and "Recreational." All vessels can be used recreationally but vessels with a "Recreational" endorsement can only be used for recreation.
How Can I Rename a Boat Legally?
You can rename your vessel using the vessel documentation form for Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port.
You can complete this form at this national vessel documentation link.
You can complete this form at this national vessel documentation link.
Do I Need a Title for My Documented Vessel?
No.
You do not need a title for Coast Guard documented vessels.
Vessels that are documented do not have titles. Instead, they maintain Certificates of Documentation. Depending on the laws in your state, your vessel may need to be registered with the state as well.
Documented Vessel Eligibility
If you are a citizen of the United States and your vessel measures at least five net tons, then your vessel is eligible for documentation.
Use this link to apply to make yours a Coast Guard documented vessel.
This documentation provides for unhindered commerce between states, admits vessels to restricted trades (such as the fisheries and coastwise trade), and provides conclusive evidence of nationality.
Maintaining Your Vessel Documentation
Coast Guard vessel documentation has to be renewed every year. However, this can be renewed for 1-5 years from the date of issuance. Vessel owners can use this link to renew vessel documentation.
You do not need a title for Coast Guard documented vessels.
Vessels that are documented do not have titles. Instead, they maintain Certificates of Documentation. Depending on the laws in your state, your vessel may need to be registered with the state as well.
Documented Vessel Eligibility
If you are a citizen of the United States and your vessel measures at least five net tons, then your vessel is eligible for documentation.
Use this link to apply to make yours a Coast Guard documented vessel.
This documentation provides for unhindered commerce between states, admits vessels to restricted trades (such as the fisheries and coastwise trade), and provides conclusive evidence of nationality.
Maintaining Your Vessel Documentation
Coast Guard vessel documentation has to be renewed every year. However, this can be renewed for 1-5 years from the date of issuance. Vessel owners can use this link to renew vessel documentation.
What is a Documented Vessel and How Can I Tell If I Have One?
Documented vessels are those which have a valid Certificate of Documentation from the US Coast Guard. These vessels are wholly owned by an American citizen (or citizens) and measure at least five net tons.
Use this link to apply for initial US Coast Guard boat documentation.
Documented vessels never have “titles,” instead they have Certificates of Documentation.
On some interior structural part of the vessel’s hull, the vessel’s Official Number (following the abbreviation “NO.”) will be marked in block-type Arabic numerals that are at least three inches in height.
You should also be able to find the vessel’s name and hailing port on the vessel’s transom or “back end.”
If you’re unable to find the Official Number, Certificate of Documentation, and so forth, you can search for the vessel using its HIN (Hull Identification Number) through our site.
The HIN is printed or engraved on the vessel’s aft starboard corner.
Use this link to conduct a US vessel documentation search.
The vessel will appear in the results if it has been documented.
Use this link to apply for initial US Coast Guard boat documentation.
Documented vessels never have “titles,” instead they have Certificates of Documentation.
On some interior structural part of the vessel’s hull, the vessel’s Official Number (following the abbreviation “NO.”) will be marked in block-type Arabic numerals that are at least three inches in height.
You should also be able to find the vessel’s name and hailing port on the vessel’s transom or “back end.”
If you’re unable to find the Official Number, Certificate of Documentation, and so forth, you can search for the vessel using its HIN (Hull Identification Number) through our site.
The HIN is printed or engraved on the vessel’s aft starboard corner.
Use this link to conduct a US vessel documentation search.
The vessel will appear in the results if it has been documented.
What is the Process to Renew Boat Registration (CG-1280)?
Vessel owners can use this link to renew boat registration.
Documentation must be renewed annually. Through our site, vessel owners will have the option to renew their documentation for up to five years in advance.
This only pertains to Federal documentation through the United States Coast Guard. In regards to State registration, refer to the rules in your particular state.
Renewing less than 60 days before the expiration date is recommended. Renewing more than 60 days prior to expiration will issue renewal with a new expiration and issuance date, thus shortening the documentation’s period of validity.
Vessel owners can renew their documentation up to 30 days after the expiration date.
After that period, vessel owners cannot “renew” their documentation. However, they can reinstate it. Vessel owners can use this link to reinstate their vessel documentation.
Documentation must be renewed annually. Through our site, vessel owners will have the option to renew their documentation for up to five years in advance.
This only pertains to Federal documentation through the United States Coast Guard. In regards to State registration, refer to the rules in your particular state.
Renewing less than 60 days before the expiration date is recommended. Renewing more than 60 days prior to expiration will issue renewal with a new expiration and issuance date, thus shortening the documentation’s period of validity.
Vessel owners can renew their documentation up to 30 days after the expiration date.
After that period, vessel owners cannot “renew” their documentation. However, they can reinstate it. Vessel owners can use this link to reinstate their vessel documentation.
Is a Hull ID (HIN) the Same as a Vessel’s Serial Number?
Yes. For all intents and purposes, a HIN (Hull Identification Number) can be thought of as a boat's serial number. Similar to a VIN that you would find on a car, a HIN is a unique 12 to 14-character number which identifies a boat.
Every boat that was manufactured or imported on or after November 1st, 1972 must have a HIN. Any vessels that were imported or manufactured before that are not required to have one.
To find a HIN, check the boat’s transom, on the starboard side within two inches of the transom’s top. Should the vessel not have a transom, you will most likely find the HIN on the starboard outboard side of the hull, within a foot of the stern.
Every boat that was manufactured or imported on or after November 1st, 1972 must have a HIN. Any vessels that were imported or manufactured before that are not required to have one.
To find a HIN, check the boat’s transom, on the starboard side within two inches of the transom’s top. Should the vessel not have a transom, you will most likely find the HIN on the starboard outboard side of the hull, within a foot of the stern.
Is There a NVDC USCG Official Number Lookup?
Yes.
Vessel owners can use this link to conduct a Coast Guard registered vessel search.
Using either a HIN (Hull Identification Number) or Official Number, users can find a vessel’s flag, its Official Number, HIN, name, service information, tonnage information, dimensions, and even when its Certificate of Documentation was issued as well as when it will expire.
This search cannot be used to find the owner of a vessel. However, those interested in finding the owner of a vessel as well as if there are any encumbrances (such as mortgages and/or liens) against a vessel can use this link to apply for an Abstract of Title.
Vessel owners can use this link to conduct a Coast Guard registered vessel search.
Using either a HIN (Hull Identification Number) or Official Number, users can find a vessel’s flag, its Official Number, HIN, name, service information, tonnage information, dimensions, and even when its Certificate of Documentation was issued as well as when it will expire.
This search cannot be used to find the owner of a vessel. However, those interested in finding the owner of a vessel as well as if there are any encumbrances (such as mortgages and/or liens) against a vessel can use this link to apply for an Abstract of Title.
