Apply for a Certificate of Deletion Vessel
If your vessel is destroyed in a hurricane, earthquake, natural disaster, or in any other way, it is recommended that you delete it from USCG registration.
Use this link to apply for a Certificate of Deletion Vessel.
Professional Assistance with Your Certificate of Registration and Other Forms
Should you purchase another documented vessel, or wish to learn more about a vessel you may potentially buy, we can help.
The Vessel Registrar Center provides vessel owners with the tools and support they need for their Coast Guard documentation. From the initial registration of a vessel to renewing or reinstating certifications, we simplify every step of the process.
If you’re considering purchasing a vessel, we can assist with documentation searches and provide Abstracts of Title or Certified Copies of Documentation to ensure you’re fully informed about your potential investment.
After purchase, rely on us for additional services like the Preferred Ship’s Mortgage or filing a Notice of Claim of Lien. Our expertise ensures your vessel remains documented and compliant.
The following laws may relate to your Coast Guard documentation needs:
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.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 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 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.
- 67.57 Extent of title evidence required for initial documentation.
(a) Vessels never registered under any system:
(1) Where a coastwise endorsement is sought, the only title evidence required for a vessel being documented by the owner for whom it was built is the certification of the builder (form CG-1261) described in § 67.99. Any other applicant must present title evidence in accordance with § 67.53(d).
(2) Where a fishery endorsement is sought, the only title evidence required for a vessel being documented by the owner for whom it was built is the certification of the builder (form CG-1261) described in § 67.99. Any other applicant must present title evidence in accordance with either paragraph (c) or (d) of § 67.53.
(3) Where a registry or recreational endorsement is sought, the only title evidence required for a vessel being documented by the first owner of the vessel is the certification of the builder (form CG-1261) described in § 67.99, or a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin. Any other applicant must also present title evidence in accordance with either paragraph (c)(2) or (d)(2) of § 67.53.
Note:
Manufacturer’s Certificates of Origin are sometimes used as shipping documents for vessels, and may recite as the first owner a person other than the person for which the vessel was built. Therefore, a chain of title which begins with a Certificate of Origin will be deemed incomplete.
(b) Vessels previously registered under the laws of a State or a foreign government:
(1) Where a coastwise endorsement is sought, title evidence must be presented in accordance with § 67.53(d).
(2) Where a fishery endorsement is sought, title evidence must be presented in accordance with paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of § 67.53.
(3) Where a registry or recreational endorsement is sought, title evidence must be presented in accordance with paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d) of § 67.53.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 67.59 Extent of title evidence required for change in ownership of a documented vessel.
When the ownership of a documented vessel changes, in whole or in part, the applicant for documentation must present:
(a) Title evidence in accordance with subpart E of this part to reflect all ownership changes subsequent to the last issuance of a Certificate of Documentation; and
(b) Where a registry, fishery, or recreational endorsement is sought, evidence of the citizenship of all owners subsequent to the last owner for whom the vessel was documented except for a vessel:
(1) Identified in § 67.11(b); or
(2) For which the Maritime Administration has granted approval for transfer or sale under 46 CFR part 221.
(c) Where a coastwise endorsement is sought, evidence establishing the citizenship of all owners subsequent to the last owner for whom the vessel was documented with a coastwise endorsement, if such evidence is not already on file with the Coast Guard. If the vessel has never been documented with a coastwise endorsement, evidence must be presented to establish the citizenship of each owner of the vessel for whom such evidence is not already on file with the Coast Guard.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 67.61 Extent of title evidence required for vessels returning to documentation.
(a) When the owner of a vessel which has been deleted from documentation applies to have the vessel returned to documentation, the owner must, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, provide evidence establishing the complete chain of title from the last owner under documentation, and citizenship evidence for all owners in that chain of title.
(b) When a vessel is returned to documentation after having been under foreign registry, the owner must provide a copy of the last foreign registry, the evidence of removal from foreign registry required by § 67.55, and evidence establishing the complete chain of title from the last owner under foreign registry. No citizenship evidence need be provided for owners in that chain of title.
(c) The owner of a vessel identified in § 67.11(b) or for which the Maritime Administration has granted approval for transfer or sale, either by written order or by general approval in 46 CFR part 221, and which was under a State or Federal registration or titling system, must provide a copy of the last registration or title, the evidence of removal from foreign registry required by § 67.55, if applicable, and evidence establishing the complete chain of title from the last owner under such registry or title. No citizenship evidence need be provided for owners in that chain of title.
Note:
Although vessels returned to documentation without a complete chain of title are not eligible for a coastwise endorsement, this does not preclude such an endorsement if the chain of title, with citizenship evidence, is completed at a later date.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 67.513 Application for evidence of deletion from documentation.
An application fee is charged for evidence of deletion from documentation in accordance with subpart L of this part.
- 67.515 Application for renewal of endorsements.
An application fee is charged for renewal of endorsements on Certificates of Documentation in accordance with subpart L of this part.
[USCG-2010-0990, 79 FR 47023, Aug. 12, 2014, as amended by USCG-2020-0215, 86 FR 5031, Jan. 19, 2021]
- 67.517 Application for late renewal.
In addition to any other fees required by this subpart, including a renewal fee, a fee is charged for a late renewal in accordance with subpart L of this part.
[USCG-2010-0990, 79 FR 47023, Aug. 12, 2014]
- 67.519 Application for waivers.
An application fee is charged for waiver of original build evidence in accordance with subpart F of this part, or for waiver of bill of sale eligible for filing and recording in accordance with subpart E of this part. In cases where more than one waiver is required, each waiver application is subject to this fee.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-1998-4442, 63 FR 52191, Sept. 30, 1998]
- 67.521 Application for new vessel determination.
An application fee is charged for a new vessel determination in accordance with subpart M of this part.
- 67.523 Application for wrecked vessel determination.
An application fee is charged for a determination of whether a vessel is entitled to coastwise and fisheries privileges as a result of having been wrecked in waters adjacent to the United States and repaired in accordance with subpart J of this part. This fee is in addition to the cost associated with the vessel appraisals.
[CGD 89-007, CGD 89-007a, 58 FR 60266, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49230, Sept. 25, 2009]
- 67.525 Application for determination of rebuild.
An application fee is charged for a determination of whether a vessel has been rebuilt in accordance with subpart M of this part. This fee will be assessed for each request for either a preliminary or final determination submitted in writing by the vessel owner or the vessel owner’s representative.
- 67.527 Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale.
An application fee is charged for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale in accordance with subpart P of this part.
- 67.529 Application for filing and recording mortgages and related instruments.
An application fee is charged for filing and recording mortgages and related instruments in accordance with subpart Q of this part.
- 67.531 Application for filing and recording notices of claim of lien.
An application fee is charged for filing and recording notices of claim of lien in accordance with subpart R of this part.
- 67.533 Application for Certificate of Compliance.
An application fee is charged for a Certificate of Compliance to be issued in accordance with regulations set forth in 46 CFR part 68.
- 67.535 Issuance of Abstract of Title.
An issuance fee is charged for a General Index or Abstract of Title in accordance with subpart T of this part.
- 67.537 Issuance of Certificate of Ownership.
An issuance fee is charged for a Certificate of Ownership in accordance with subpart T of this part. A supplemental issuance fee is charged for a Certificate of Ownership attachment for each additional vessel with the same ownership and encumbrance information.
- 67.539 Copies of instruments and documents.
The fee charged for furnishing a copy of any instrument or document is calculated in the same manner as described in 49 CFR 7.95.
[CGD 94-008, 59 FR 49847, Sept. 30, 1994]