Conduct a USCG documentation search through our portal. It connects directly to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) database. Use this to determine whether a vessel holds a valid federal registration by entering:
- The Hull Identification Number (HIN), or
- The Official Number (O.N.)
This can be especially valuable for:
- Prospective buyers conducting due diligence before a purchase
- Lenders confirming vessel details for financing
- Current owners verifying that their official record is accurate
Benefits of Our USCG Documentation Search
Knowing a vessel’s documentation status is essential for:
- Legal operation: Ensuring compliance with federal maritime law
- Financing: Confirming eligibility for loans or mortgages
- Sale or transfer: Providing proof of ownership and legitimacy
Whether you’re:
- A buyer assessing a vessel before making an offer
- A fleet manager maintaining regulatory compliance
- A new owner trying to confirm your vessel’s background
…verifying federal registration is a critical first step.
Our service simplifies this process by offering an accessible gateway to the official Coast Guard database. This feature provides:
- Instant access to verified vessel information
- A simple interface, avoiding the complexity of navigating government sites
- Accurate, up-to-date results directly from the USCG
How to Use the Search Function
Our online system is designed with clarity and efficiency in mind. To check a vessel’s documentation status, you’ll need one of two key identifiers:
- Hull Identification Number (HIN):
- A unique 12-digit serial number assigned by the vessel’s manufacturer
- Typically found on the upper starboard side of the transom
- Often the easiest identifier for non-owners, especially for potential buyers
- Official Number (O.N.):
- A number assigned by the USCG during initial vessel documentation
- Permanently affixed to the interior hull structure
- Known to current owners, but may be harder for others to locate
Once You Have an Identifier:
- Enter the HIN or O.N. into the search field on our portal.
- Submit your query. The system will connect directly to the federal database.
- View your results. You’ll receive an instant report showing the vessel’s documentation status and key details.
Interpretation of Results:
- If the vessel appears in the database, it’s officially documented with the USCG.
- If no record appears, the vessel may not be federally documented but could still be registered at the state level. The database isn’t updated daily, so there may be a delay.
What Information Can You Find?
A USCG documentation search provides more than just a confirmation—it delivers a snapshot of a vessel’s official record. The public database includes a range of important details, commonly referred to as vessel particulars.
Key Details You Can Expect to Find:
- Vessel Name: The current, registered name listed with the Coast Guard.
- Official Number (O.N.): The vessel’s unique federal identifier.
- Hull Identification Number (HIN): The manufacturer’s original serial number.
- Vessel Dimensions:
- Registered length
- Breadth
- Depth
- Build Year: When the vessel was originally constructed.
- Documentation Status: Whether the Certificate of Documentation is active or expired.
- Expiration Date: The renewal date for the current Certificate of Documentation.
- Hailing Port: The home port designated by the owner, marked on the vessel’s stern.
Why This Information Matters
Each piece of data serves a vital role in the verification process:
- For Buyers:
- Confirms that the vessel’s advertised specifications match official records
- Provides assurance of legitimate ownership
- Reduces the risk of purchasing a misrepresented or undocumented vessel
- For Lenders:
- Supplies necessary identifiers for filing a Preferred Ship Mortgage
- Ensures all details align with official registration data
- Helps confirm the vessel’s eligibility as loan collateral
- For Current Owners:
- Allows quick verification of public information accuracy
- Makes it easier to track upcoming renewal deadlines
- Confirms that the vessel remains active in the federal registry
A USCG documentation search can help in a variety of ways.
The Importance of an Abstract of Title
While a standard search provides useful public information, it does not include:
- Private ownership details
- Historical ownership data
- Financial encumbrances or liens
For deeper insight, you’ll need a different document—the Abstract of Title.
What Is an Abstract of Title?
An Abstract of Title is a comprehensive record of a vessel’s entire ownership and financial history. This document includes:
- All ownership transfers since the vessel was first documented
- All recorded liens, mortgages, and financial encumbrances
- Any active or satisfied claims against the vessel
It is invaluable for ensuring full transparency in any maritime transaction.
Why the Abstract of Title Matters
- For Buyers:
- Verifies that the seller has clear and marketable title
- Reveals any unsatisfied liens or claims that could carry over post-sale
- Ensures confidence in the purchase and avoids future legal disputes
- For Lenders:
- Confirms that no previous or outstanding mortgages exist
- Ensures proper lien priority for the lender’s security interest
- For Current Owners:
- Confirms the vessel’s title is clear before listing it for sale
- Simplifies the sales process by having documentation ready for review
- Helps track all historical transactions for accurate recordkeeping
The Benefits of Requesting an Abstract of Title
Requesting this document provides:
- Complete transparency in ownership history
- Legal assurance that there are no hidden encumbrances
- A permanent record of all title actions associated with the vessel
Our online portal offers a simple, secure application for obtaining this record directly from the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).
It’s the next logical step after confirming a vessel’s documentation through a basic search, especially for those:
- Purchasing or financing a vessel
- Preparing to sell their documented vessel
- Managing a commercial or charter fleet
Going Beyond the Basic Search
An Abstract of Title provides the most comprehensive insight into a vessel’s official record. It includes:
- The entire chain of ownership from first documentation onward
- All recorded mortgages, liens, and satisfactions
- Verification of current ownership and any financial claims
By obtaining this document, users gain a complete picture of the vessel’s history—something a standard documentation search cannot provide.
Legal Basis for Vessel Documentation
The U.S. Coast Guard’s vessel documentation system is grounded in federal law, specifically within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Legal Framework Overview
- Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):
- Governs all aspects of vessel documentation
- Found under Part 67, which outlines eligibility, ownership, and renewal requirements
Key Legal Provisions
According to these regulations:
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Vessels of at least five net tons may qualify for federal documentation
- Certain vessels engaged in commercial trades must be documented by law
- Ownership Requirements:
- Owners must meet U.S. citizenship criteria to qualify for documentation
- Corporate ownership may also be permitted if the company meets citizenship standards
- Documentation Procedures:
- Applicants must submit appropriate forms and ownership proof
- A Certificate of Documentation (COD) is issued upon approval
- Renewal is typically required annually to maintain valid status
This Legal Framework Explained
This legal foundation ensures:
- Compliance: Avoiding fines or penalties for improper registration
- Transparency: Ensuring accurate public recordkeeping
- Security: Providing verified ownership recognized under U.S. maritime law
Our purpose is to help vessel owners and maritime professionals navigate these legal requirements through our intuitive, efficient online system.
More Than Just the Search
Our platform was designed to make complex federal systems easy to access. Through our service, you can:
- Perform an instant USCG documentation search
- Request an Abstract of Title for full ownership history
- Manage renewals, transfers, or replacements with ease
- Avoid lengthy paperwork and government processing delays
Each step ensures that vessel owners, buyers, and lenders can interact with federal documentation quickly, accurately, and securely.
How Our Portal Simplifies the USCG Documentation Search
- Use a HIN or O.N. to verify documentation through our search tool.
- Review vessel particulars for essential data like name, size, and expiration date.
- Request an Abstract of Title for full ownership and lien history.
- Understand that all vessel documentation operates under Title 46, Part 67 of federal law.
- Take advantage of our online platform to complete these steps efficiently.
By combining legal accuracy, public transparency, and digital convenience, our service provides everything you need to confirm whether your vessel is documented—and ensures that every step in the process is as smooth as possible. Try a search today.