Vessel documentation is a national form of registration. It is one of the oldest functions of Government, dating back to the 11th Act of the First Congress. Documentation provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes, provides for unhindered commerce between the states, and admits vessels to certain restricted trades, such as coastwise trade and the fisheries. Since 1920, vessel financing has been enhanced through the availability of preferred mortgages on documented vessels.
For more information, please call: 1(866) 981-8783 or email: info@usvesselregistrar.us

A vessel that measures at least five net tons and, with the exception of certain oil spill response vessels, that is wholly owned by a citizen of the U.S.

Vessels of five net tons or more used in fishing activities on navigable waters of the U.S. or in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), or used in coastwise trade must be documented unless the vessel is exempt from documentation. Coastwise trade is generally defined as the transportation of merchandise or passengers between points in the U.S. or the EEZ. In addition, towboats operating between points in the U.S. or the EEZ or between the EEZ and points in the U.S. and dredges operating in the U.S. or the EEZ must be documented.

Net tonnage is a measure of a vessel’s volume. It should not be confused with the vessel’s weight, which may also be expressed in tons. Most vessels more than 25 feet in length will measure five net tons or more.
For more information about how tonnage is determined, please call: 1(866) 981-8783 or email: info@usvesselregistrar.us

Vessels that do not operate on the navigable waters of the U.S. or in the fisheries in the EEZ, are exempt from the requirement to be documented. Also exempt are Coastwise qualified, non-self-propelled vessels used in coastwise trade within a harbor, on the rivers or lakes (except the Great Lakes) of the U.S. or the internal waters or canal of any state.

Yes. A Certificate of Documentation may be endorsed for fishery, coastwise, registry, or recreation. Any documented vessel may be used for recreational purposes, regardless of its endorsement, but a vessel documented with a recreational endorsement only may not be used for any other purpose. Registry endorsements are generally used for foreign trade.

The basic requirements for documentation are to demonstrate ownership of the vessel, U.S. citizenship, and eligibility for the endorsement sought.

If the vessel is new and has never been documented, ownership may be established by submission of a Builder’s Certification, naming the applicant for documentation as the person for whom the vessel was built or to whom the vessel was first transferred. Also acceptable are a transfer on a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin, a copy of the State Registration or Title, or foreign registration showing that the applicant owns the vessel.
In the case of a previously owned vessel, the applicant must present bills of sale, or other evidence showing transfer of the vessel from the person who last documented, titled, or registered the vessel, or to whom the vessel was transferred on a Builder’s Certification or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin. If title was transferred by some means other than a bill of sale, contact one of our documentation processors at 1(866) 981-8783 or email: info@usvesselregistrar.us

Citizenship is established by verifying the applicant’s social security. In addition to individuals, corporations, partnerships, and other entities capable of holding legal title may be deemed citizens for documentation purposes. Corporations must be registered in a state or the U.S; the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors must be U.S. citizens, and no more than a minority of the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum may be non-citizens. In addition, at least 75% of the stock must be vested in U.S. citizens for a coastwise or fisheries endorsement.

Evidence that a vessel was built in the U.S. is required for a vessel which is to be used in the fisheries or coastwise trade. Build evidence is normally established by submitting a Builder’s Certification. That form must be completed by the person who constructed or oversaw the construction of the vessel or an official of the company that built the vessel who has examined the records of the company to determine the facts of build. The Original Builder’s Certification or Facts of Build Letter must be presented with your submission. A copy will NOT be accepted.

Documented vessels do not display their official numbers on the outside of the hull, but are identified by the name and hailing port. The application for documentation must include a name for the vessel composed of letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals and may not exceed 33 characters. The name may not be identical, actually or phonetically, to any word or words used to solicit assistance at sea; may not contain or be phonetically identical to obscene, indecent, or profane language, or to racial or ethnic epithets. Once established, a vessel’s name may not be changed without application, fees, and the consent of the Director, National Vessel Documentation Center. There is no rule against duplication of names for documented vessels, so hailing ports are helpful in identifying vessels.

The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded by the abbreviation “NO.” must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.
The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The hailing port must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated.

You may change the name and/or hailing port by navigating to the following page and completing the online form: Change of Vessel Name/Haling Port
If you require assistance with your online application, you may contact a documentation processor to walk you through the process at 1(866) 981-8783. For additional information or inquiries, email info@usvesselregistrar.us

Many vessels have more than one owner. To make sure that the right person gets mail concerning the vessel, one must be designated as the managing owner.

A preferred mortgage is a mortgage which is given status as a maritime lien. As such it enjoys a certain priority in the event of default. In addition, the Coast Guard is prohibited from making certain changes in documentation including, but not limited to, change of vessel ownership, name, and hailing port without consent of the mortgagee. For this reason many financial institutions require vessels which are eligible for documentation to be documented and to have preferred mortgages recorded against them.

All forms are conveniently available to complete online through this secure website. After completing a form, the form will automatically be forwarded to a Documentation Processor for review. On average, most people that attempt to submit their own documents yield deficiencies which cause their documentation process to be delayed by week or even months, and are subject to resubmitting their fees. The online portal provided on this websites helps speed up the documentation process and eliminate deficiencies. Call 1(866) 981-8783 if you would like for a documentation processors to walk you through your application process. You may email info@usvesselregistrar.us for additional information or inquiries.

No, your application may be submitted and paid for by filling out your desired application through the convenient online portal. The online portal is far more advantageous as it is not subject to delays caused by submitting your application(s) in by mail. Online applications submitted through this website are also promptly reviewed to ensure faster processing. You may also contact a documentation processor at 1(866) 981-8783 if you require assistance with your application.

You may obtain an Abstract of Title which will show all bills of sale, mortgages, and notices of claim of lien filed and recorded by the Coast Guard. You may request an Abstract by navigating to the following page: Abstract of Title
If you require assistance or have any inquiries, you may contact a documentation processors at 1(866) 981-8783 or email info@usvesselregistrar.us

No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel’s document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.

No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel’s document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.

Documentation of your vessel does not cover the vessel’s tender or dinghy. These craft fall within the jurisdiction of the motorboat numbering laws of the state of principal use. Please contact your state agency that handles the registration or numbering of motorboats for further information

When the sale is finalized, you may complete a Bill of Sale. The new owner will have to complete a Transfer application, which can be completed by navigating to the following link: Transfer/Exchange
If there is an outstanding mortgage, the mortgagee (lender) should complete a Satisfaction of Mortgage. The vessel cannot be removed from documentation with an outstanding mortgage. You may complete a Satisfaction of Mortgage by navigation to the following link: Satisfaction/Release of Mortgage/Lien

A Certificate of Documentation is valid for one year from the date of issue, providing there are no changes other than a change of owner’s address. The Certificate must be renewed on an annual basis. You may submit your Renewal application by navigating to the following page: Renewal
Note that you now have the option to have your documentation renewed automatically for a period of up to 5 consecutive years. Selecting to pay for your Renewals in advance provides you with peace of mind and eliminates the stress of having to renew your documentation every year. If you require assistance or have any inquiries, you may contact a documentation processors at 1(866) 981-8783 or email info@usvesselregistrar.us

No, a lost certificate of documentation must be replaced by completing an application for Replacement, which can be completed by navigating to the following page: Replacement (COD)
If you require assistance or have any inquiries, you may contact a documentation processors at 1(866) 981-8783 or email: info@usvesselregistrar.us

NO, simply sign, date and return the Renewal Notice even if your address has changed. Please note the address change. You will receive a new certificate that shows your new address.

Yes, you may submit a Renewal application early. You may submit your Renewal application by navigating to the following link: Renewal
Failure to submit your Renewal of documentation before the expiration date will require for you to Reinstate your documentation. You may submit your Reinstatement application by navigating to the following link: Reinstatement
If you require assistance or have any inquiries, you may contact a documentation processor at 1(866) 981-8783 or email: info@usvesselregistrar.us

There are several methods to notify us of your change of address. You can notify us by telephone at 1(866) 981-8783; email your address change to Contact Renewals; fax your change of address to (877) 564-1398, or at the time of renewal of your Certificate of Documentation you can annotate the renewal notice before returning it. When calling, emailing, or faxing please provide the vessel’s official number.

You may request priority handling by selecting the “Priority Request/Rush Processing” option under the “PLEASE SELECT ANY ADDITIONAL SERVICES YOU WISH TO HAVE PROCESSED” section before checking out.

You may get a coastwise waiver by navigating to the following page: Marad Small Vessel Waiver
If you require assistance or have any inquiries, you may contact a documentation processors at 1(866) 981-8783 or email: info@usvesselregistrar.us

Requests for faxing of Certificates of Documentation, Letters of Deletion, Certificates of Ownership and recorded instruments such as Preferred Mortgages, Bills of Sale, Notices of Claim of Lien, and Satisfactions of Mortgage in combination to mailing will require an additional Certified Copy fee of $34.00 for each item.

No, you don’t. If you have a USCG documented vessel, a vessel that is documented with the Coast Guard, then you do not have to register it in the state of Alaska. According to the Alaska Department of Administration Division of Motor Vehicles, “All boats longer than 24 feet are required to be titled unless documented by the USCG.” That said, while “a documented boat is also exempt from state numbering… the State of Alaska registration decal must be displayed.” To learn more about boat registration rules in Alaska, you can find the Alaska Department of Administration Division of Motor Vehicles site here. You can use our Vessel Registrar site to make your vessel a USCG documented vessel.

No. If you have a documented vessel in the state of Mississippi, then you do not have to register it with the state. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks states: “Mississippi law requires all sailboats and every undocumented vessel equipped with propulsion machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion, using the territorial and navigable waters of the State of Mississippi to be registered and numbered for identification.” Furthermore, they state “No person may operate or give permission for the operation of any boat powered by machinery unless it is registered and numbered in accordance with the law.” Vessel owners can use our site to apply for or renew vessel documentation here.

Yes, they do. Coast Guard documented vessels also have to be registered in New Mexico.   According to the New Mexico “EMNRD,” the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, “to operate your vessel in New Mexico, you must have a registration card and validation decal if: your vessel is propelled by machinery (or) your vessel is propelled, or designed to be propelled, by sail, unless it is a sailboard or windsurf board.”   Additionally, “The registration card (certificate of number) must be carried on board whenever your vessel is used.” They go on to say that “vessel registration and titling is handled by the Taxation and Revenue Department Motor Vehicle Division.”   In terms of bringing a documented vessel in from another state, the EMNRD says “Boaters visiting New Mexico from another state may recreate on state waters for up to 90 days if the vessel is registered in another state or has current U.S. Coast Guard documentation.”   To contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Motor Vehicle Division, click here.   You can use our site to document your vessel here.

Hopefully, you are never in any kind of boating accident, whether you have a documented vessel or any other kind. However, in the event that you are, there are certain protocols that you have to follow.   To wit, you have to report to your State reporting authority if on your vessel:   Someone dies. Someone is injured and requires medical treatment beyond what first aid can provide. Any damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $2,000 or more. There is a complete loss of any vessel. Someone disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury.   You have to make this report quickly as well. To that end, you must report by a certain time. For example:   If someone dies, then you have 48 hours to report the occurrence. If someone disappears from the vessel or is injured and requires treatment beyond first aid, then you have 48 hours to report.   Certain circumstances can necessitate other timelines for reporting.   The USCG Boating Safety Division has more information here.   For the official Code of Federal Regulations, click here.   Vessel owners can also use our site for vessel documentation here.

Yes, they do. A Coast Guard documented vessel must be registered in the state of Kansas.   According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: “All vessels powered by motor (gasoline, diesel, or electric), or sail, must be registered and numbered. The State of Kansas does not, however, title watercraft nor does it register or title motors.”   Additionally, “Nonresidents using motorboats and sailing boats that are properly registered in another state may use their boats for up to 60 consecutive days without registering their boats in Kansas. Both in-state and out-of-state boats must have their Certificate of Number on board at all times. Boats that are required to be registered must be properly registered before they are operated.”   Vessel owners who register their vessels in Kansas must attach registration decals and assigned numbers in the right place. To wit, a vessel’s “assigned number must be painted or permanently attached to each side of the forward top half of the boat. Numbers must be vertical block characters at least three inches tall that read from left to right. They must contrast with the background and be distinctly visible and legible. Spaces or hyphens equal to letter width must separate letter groupings and numeral groupings.”   To learn more about registering your vessel in Kansas, click here.   To document your vessel, click on our vessel documentation site.