Vessel Documentation Forms

Renew Certificate

Renew your Certificate of Documentation for up to five years in advance. Begin Application

Change of Address

Change the physical or mailing address on your Certificate of Documentation. Begin Application

Abstract of Title

Discover more information about a vessel. Begin Application

Initial Vessel Documentation

Document your vessel with the Coast Guard. Begin Application

Transfer/Exchange

Transfer/Exchange ownership of the vessel, change the managing owner, and more. Begin Application

Reinstatement of Documentation

Reinstate a certificate that expired more than thirty days ago. Begin Application

Certified Copy of Documentation

Acquire a certified copy of the vessel’s certificate as it exists on record. Begin Application

Deletion from USCG Documentation

Delete the vessel from US Coast Guard documentation. Begin Application

Replacement of Certificate of Documentation

Replace the Certificate of Documentation if it has been lost or mutilated. Begin Application

Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port

Change the vessel’s name or its hailing port. Begin Application

Change of Endorsement/Trade Indicator

Change your vessel’s endorsement or trade indicator. Begin Application

Satisfaction/Release of Mortgage

Apply for a satisfaction of mortgage. Begin Application

Preferred Ship Mortgage

Apply for a First Preferred Ship’s Mortgage for your documented vessel. Begin Application

Notice of Claim of Lien (NCL)

Apply for a recording of a claim of lien against a documented vessel. Begin Application

Marad Small Vessel Waiver

Apply for a waiver of the US-build requirement to conduct limited passenger operations in America. Begin Application

Foreign Vessel Title Search Request

Discover more information about vessels in select foreign countries. Begin Application

Document Upload

Use this form to upload relevant information (USCG 1340 Bill of Sale, Last Will and Testament, Previous COD) to your USCG Documentation application processing. Upload Documents

Vessel Documentation Search

Conduct a vessel documentation search by Official Number and HIN. Click Here to Perform a Vessel Documentation Search
Streamlining Your USCG Vessel Transfer of Ownership and Legal Title
A USCG vessel transfer of ownership is the federal process of re-documenting a vessel with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) when title transfers between parties. It requires filing Form CG-1258 (Application for Exchange or Redocumentation) alongside a notarized Form CG-1340 (Bill of Sale) or a signed Certificate of DocumentationRead More
How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a USCG Certificate of Documentation
A Certified Copy of a USCG Certificate of Documentation (COD) is an official, federally recognized duplicate issued from National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) records. A certified copy is required when the original COD is lost, water-damaged, or mutilated, as well as during Preferred Marine Mortgage loan closings, marine insurance underwritingRead More
Coast Guard Abstract of Title: How to Order, Read & Verify Marine Liens
A Coast Guard abstract of title is an official federal document issued by the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) that details the complete financial and administrative history of a documented vessel.  Unlike a basic documentation lookup, an Abstract of Title reveals all active and discharged Preferred Marine Mortgages, recorded NoticesRead More

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