FAQ's

Vessel documentation does not cover a vessel’s tender or dinghy. 

As those measure less than five net tons, they are not eligible for vessel documentation. 

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

Provided there are no changes other than the owner’s address, a Certificate of Documentation is valid for one year from the date of issue. 

Previously, any Certificate of Documentation had to be renewed annually. 

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)

NO, simply sign, date and return the Renewal of USCG Documentation 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 can submit your Renewal application before your expiration date.

Vessel owners can submit a Change of Address form through our site. The form can be found here.

Additionally, vessel owners can update their Change of Address when renewing their Certificate of Documentation. The new address can be updated in the renewal application. That application can be found here. Per Cornell Law, “whenever the managing owner changes, the managing owner shall notify (the authorities) within 10 days.”

Priority handling can be selected for vessel documentation by selecting “Priority Request/Rush Processing.”

A coastwise waiver for a small passenger vessel, also known as a MARAD waiver (or “MARAD Small Vessel Waiver”) can be found on our site here.

Yes. 

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.

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.

Yes, it does. According to the Michigan Department of State, “the U.S. Coast Guard Certification of Documentation (CG-1270) serves as proof of ownership. However, documented watercraft must obtain a Michigan watercraft registration at the regular fee.” That said, “the registration (MC) number does not have to be displayed on the vessel.”