Accessing the information you need about a vessel’s name, status, and identifying details is possible through our online boat name database access.
The simplest way to begin is by using our search function, which connects you to resources that make it easier to review the information available through the Coast Guard’s records. When you use our portal, you can search by entering an Official Number or Hull Identification Number.
From there, you can review the vessel’s name, flag, service details, tonnage, and other technical data that help you confirm whether a vessel record matches what you need.
What Can You See When You Access the Boat Name Database Through Our Portal?
When you use our system to look up a vessel, you are able to view a range of record details immediately. Everything displayed is drawn from the information made publicly available by the Coast Guard, offered in a streamlined format so you can quickly locate what you need.
This resource is especially helpful for vessel owners preparing filings, verifying data, or ensuring that their paperwork aligns with the official details recorded for the vessel.
The search results generally include:
- Vessel name
- Vessel flag
- Tonnage and measurements
- Service information
- Hull Identification Number (when listed in the record)
- Official Number
- Dates concerning Certificate of Documentation issuance
- Dates concerning Certificate of Documentation expiration
- Documentation status
These details can help you understand whether a vessel’s records are current, whether its identifying information is consistent, and whether further steps should be taken to update Coast Guard filings as needed.
What Information Is Not Included in a Boat Name Database Search?
The Coast Guard does not publish personally identifying information about vessel owners through this type of search. For that reason, our system will not display the vessel owner’s identity, address, or contact information. Likewise, financial or legal encumbrances are not included in basic search results.
Because these records are not public through the searchable system, the following details do not appear:
- Owner name
- Owner address
- Mortgages
- Liens
- Financial encumbrances
- Ownership history
For many customers preparing for transactions, financing, or verification of historical records, the Abstract of Title is the appropriate document to request. Our service offers the online application form for this filing so you can submit it directly without needing to mail physical paperwork.
changing a boat’s name
How Can You Perform a Search Using a Vessel’s Official Number or HIN?
Conducting a vessel lookup through our portal is straightforward. If you have either the Official Number assigned by the Coast Guard or the Hull Identification Number provided by the manufacturer, you can input that information into our online form. The system then provides the record details currently listed for that vessel.
Both identifiers offer a valid path to accessing a record. Each serves as a unique reference point:
- Official Number: Assigned when a vessel is documented and used throughout the vessel’s recorded history.
- Hull Identification Number: Assigned by the manufacturer and used to track construction and origin details.
With either entry, the search will provide the data publicly associated with the vessel.
How Do You Use This Information When Preparing Coast Guard Documentation?
Many vessel owners need access to vessel identification details as they prepare various Coast Guard forms. Our portal provides a streamlined way to submit a wide range of USCG documentation forms online. All of our forms meet USCG documentation laws.
Before submitting a form, vessel owners often search the boat name database to ensure that the information they enter matches the vessel’s official record.
Common reasons vessel owners check the database include:
- Reviewing the recorded vessel name before filing an update
- Confirming vessel dimensions for accuracy on forms
- Checking documentation status prior to submitting new paperwork
- Verifying identifying numbers on recently purchased vessels
- Preparing details needed for a Transfer Exchange of documentation
When the record has inconsistencies or when an owner discovers that information is outdated, they may need to submit forms through our system to correct those discrepancies.
For updates such as a vessel change of address, our site also offers the appropriate form so owners can submit more easily.
What If You Recently Purchased a Documented Vessel?
For vessel owners who have recently completed a purchase, accessing the boat name database is an effective way to verify that the vessel’s Official Number and identifying details match what is recorded in federal records.
When you use our portal to prepare your filing, having accurate information reduces potential issues. The record search allows you to confirm:
- Vessel name
- Vessel flag
- Documentation status
- Official Number
- HIN listed in the record
- Vessel classifications
If all information matches what you expect, you can proceed through our service to submit the required form. If any detail appears mismatched, the database results make it easier to identify what needs updating.
How Does This Benefit Owners Who Need to Monitor Documentation Status?
Many vessel owners use our search feature periodically to remain aware of their vessel’s recorded status, including documentation expiration dates.
For owners preparing for USCG documentation renewal, this search helps ensure that they know when to file and whether any other form updates should be submitted at the same time. This centralized view of the vessel’s technical details enables owners to bring their paperwork together more efficiently when using our service to file renewal or other forms.
How Does the Database Support Financing or Ownership Planning?
For matters involving a preferred ship mortgage, an Abstract of Title may still be required to review any recorded financial interests. Our portal offers the application for that document, making it easier for vessel owners to submit the Coast Guard paperwork needed to move forward.
How Does Our Portal Help You Access and Use the Database?
Our role is to offer a centralized online place where vessel owners can complete Coast Guard documentation forms and access tools that make the filing process easier. The boat name database search tool helps you confirm what appears in federal records so you can prepare accurate filings. Our portal simplifies the steps involved by allowing you to:
- Enter identifying information directly into the search field
- Review publicly available vessel data
- Confirm accuracy before completing forms
- File online applications through our service for various Coast Guard forms
We do not perform research, make recommendations, or provide follow-up services, but our portal ensures that vessel owners have direct online access to the forms they need and the tools required to prepare accurate submissions.