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
Coast Guard NVDC News: Recent Rescues By Coast Guard Heroes
Coast Guard NVDC data often sits quietly in the background of maritime operations, but recent rescues show just how central accurate vessel information is when lives are on the line.  Two recent rescues, one off Port Canaveral and another near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, demonstrate how preparation, coordination, and reliable documentationRead More
Our Coast Guard Documentation Site Salutes Operation Reliable Energy
Every winter, the Northeast faces a challenge that is both maritime and deeply personal. When temperatures plunge, millions of homes rely on heating oil that must move efficiently through American waterways. At our service, we closely follow missions that underscore the importance of accurate Coast Guard documentation and the roleRead More
U.S. Coast Guard Saves 9 - Vessel Documentation’s Role
On January 5, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard carried out a high-risk rescue in the Bering Sea, saving nine people from a grounded fishing vessel near St. George Island, Alaska. For those of us who work every day with U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation, this incident reinforces something we seeRead More

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