Using the Correct Form to Rename a Vessel
The first step to legally changing the name of a boat is completing the “Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port” form. This is the only approved way to update your boat’s name in the Coast Guard’s registry. Submitting this form through our portal ensures your application goes to the correct department. Using a vessel renewal form or any unrelated form to change a boat’s name will not update your record and can cause delays or compliance problems.
Our service provides direct access to this official form online, saving you time and effort. You can securely upload your information through our portal, and we transmit it to the National Vessel Documentation Center. We help you prevent clerical errors by clearly outlining the required fields and explaining which supporting documents may be necessary. This saves you from costly rejections or repeat submissions.
We also give you a secure way to track your submission internally on our portal. While we do not conduct a vessel documentation search or offer follow-up notifications, our structured process makes it easier for you to complete your paperwork correctly the first time, which reduces the need for additional inquiries or corrections.
Changing the Name of a Boat and Hailing Port, Too
When you submit a Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port form, you may also update the hailing port listed on your Certificate of Documentation. Many boat owners think their hailing port must match the marina they use most often, but that is not the case. The hailing port can be any location within U.S. territory.
Our portal makes it simple to add your new hailing port details at the same time you change your boat’s name. We include clear fields on the form for you to specify the new port and confirm that it meets U.S. requirements. By combining these updates into one submission, you save time and ensure all your documentation remains consistent.
In addition, our system cross-checks the information you provide so that your new name and hailing port appear exactly as you intend on the updated certificate. That prevents inconsistencies that could arise if you tried to handle these changes separately. Through our portal, you can change the name of a boat easily.
Managing Ownership Changes and Name Updates Together
If you are transferring your boat to a new individual, corporation, or trust, or adding or removing a spouse from the ownership record, you can handle those updates through our online system as well. The Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port form can cover multiple updates when submitted correctly, saving you from filing separate requests.
We also help you navigate the requirements tied to mortgages or liens on your vessel. If your boat is under mortgage, you must either pay off the loan or obtain written consent from your lender or mortgagee before the Coast Guard will approve a name change or transfer. Our portal explains these requirements at the start of the process so you know what documents to have ready before you file.
By handling name changes, hailing port updates, and ownership adjustments all in one place, our platform reduces the chance of gaps between your official records. This streamlines your documented vessel renewal later because your certificate stays up-to-date.
Changing the Name of a Boat in Compliance with Coast Guard Regulations
Changing a vessel’s name is governed by federal law. According to 46 CFR Part 67 Subpart K, all documented vessels must have accurate and current information on file with the Coast Guard, including the vessel’s name and hailing port. Failing to update your records can result in non-compliance, which may expose you to penalties or create problems if you sell or mortgage the vessel later.
When you file through our National Documentation E-Portal, we give you direct access to the correct Coast Guard forms. That means your request goes to the official registry and is processed under the correct regulations. Our service acts as a bridge between you and the Coast Guard’s documentation system, ensuring that the legal requirements are met from the outset.
We also include helpful reminders within the form about what is required under the law. This way, when you complete your Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port application, you’re not just filling out paperwork—you’re taking a step to maintain legal compliance for your vessel.
How Our Service Helps You Avoid Common Errors
Many vessel owners accidentally try to change their boat’s name during documented vessel renewal, only to find out later that their records were not updated. Using our Change of Vessel Name or Hailing Port form avoids this problem entirely. We separate name changes from renewal requests, giving each its own dedicated process.
Our platform also reduces confusion about supporting documentation. We present clear instructions about what is needed, such as the vessel’s official number, current name, new name, and ownership details. This structured approach decreases the chance of missing information, which can otherwise lead to rejections or delays.
By filing your application correctly through our portal the first time, you save time and keep your certificate valid and current. This makes any future transfers or renewals much easier (in addition to trying to change the name of a boat).
Selecting the Right Name for Your Vessel
As the vessel owner, you can generally choose any name you want for your documented boat, provided it does not conflict with existing regulations. We encourage owners to pick a name that reflects positively on themselves and the vessel. Certain restrictions may apply to offensive or prohibited names, and our form gives you the space to input your preferred choice while guiding you through the official process.
Our service allows you to preview how the new name will appear on your certificate before you submit the form. This helps you catch typos or unintended variations. Because your certificate is a legal document, accuracy matters. Our system ensures that your selected name and hailing port print exactly as you entered them on the updated certificate.
By offering this clear and secure online environment, we help you finalize your name change with confidence, knowing that your official records will accurately reflect your new selection.
Linking Name Changes with Future Documentation Needs
Once your new vessel name and hailing port are approved and issued on an updated Certificate of Documentation, those details remain on file with the Coast Guard. When you later complete a documented vessel renewal, your certificate will already show the correct information. This prevents mismatches that can occur if you delay updating your name until the next renewal cycle.
Our portal makes it simple to time your applications in a way that keeps your records current. While we do not send follow-up notifications, our clear online process allows you to submit a name change independently, well before your renewal deadline. This helps ensure your certificate stays valid and avoids gaps in compliance.
If you ever need to verify your updated information, you can perform a vessel documentation search through the Coast Guard’s database. Because you filed your change correctly through our platform, your boat’s new name and hailing port should appear there once processed.
Keeping Your Certificate Accurate and Compliant
After your name change is approved, you must keep the original updated Certificate of Documentation on board your vessel at all times. This requirement applies even if you are only traveling a short distance. Carrying the certificate proves that your boat’s name and hailing port are officially recorded and in compliance with Coast Guard regulations.
We make it easy for you to request a replacement certificate through our portal if your original is lost, damaged, or mutilated. You can also order a certified copy for additional verification purposes. These services ensure that you always have a valid, tangible certificate available on your boat, which is critical for passing inspections or demonstrating ownership.
By managing both your name change and certificate needs through our online system, you maintain a seamless record that supports your boat’s legal operation anywhere in U.S. waters.