The original CG-1258 form has been streamlined and converted to applicable webforms on this web portal in order to facilitate more rapid and accurate processing with the National Vessel Documentation Center. You may proceed to any of the webforms listed on this page to complete the process:

US COAST GUARD VESSEL DOCUMENTATION FORMS

Vessel Documentation Renewal Form (CG-1280) including multi-year renewal: Renewal of your Certificate of Documentation is to be completed annually unless multi-year renewal is selected. Recreational vessels may apply for 1-5 years added to their expiration date via this form:
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/renewal-uscg-documentation

Vessel Transfer of Owership (CG-1258): Use this form if you are:

• Adding/removing a spouse to the Certificate of Documentation after a passing or divorce
• Selling/transferring your vessel: When the sale is finalized you may complete a U.S. Coast Guard Bill of Sale (CG-1340). If there is an outstanding mortgage, the mortgagee (lender) should complete a Satisfaction of Mortgage. The vessel cannot be removed or transferred from documentation with an outstanding mortgage or lien.
• Transferring your vessel Documentation into a Trust, Corporation or LLC
• Transferring interest in your vessel to a spouse or family member
• Making ANY changes to the vessel’s endorsement status or managing owner’s name.

Certified Copy of Certificate of Documentation: *You cannot obtain a certified copy of your Certificate of Documentation if it has passed 30 days of expiration. Vessel expiration information is located on the Certificate of Documentation, lower left corner. If past 30 days of expiration, you MUST Reactivate/Reinstate your Documentation as per NVDCINST16713/1-5
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/certified-copy-certificate-of-documentation

Deletion/Removal of USCG Documentation (CG-4593): Application, Consent and Approval for Withdrawal of vessel from U.S. Coast Guard Documentation. This application provides a Deletion Letter for use with State Registrars and Foreign countries.
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/deletion-from-uscg-documentation

Abstract of Title (Lien/Ownership History) Request (CG-7043): US Coast Guard Abstracts of Title provide complete vessel lien information, along with all active and satisfied mortgages and a complete chain of ownership for a vessel established in a Documented vessel’s history.
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/uscg-abstract-of-title

Vessel Documentation Reinstatement Form (CG-1258): If your Renewal fees are not paid with 30 days of the expiration, you must complete this Form to Return to Active USCG Documentation as per NVDCINST 16713/1-5
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/vessel-reinstatement

Replacement of lost, mutilated or withheld Certificate of Documentation: This request is only accepted for current Certificates of Documentation. Certificates that have passed 30 days of expiration require reinstatement, and no replacement will be granted.
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/replacement-certificate-of-documentation

Change of Vessel Hailing Port: The hailing port of a vessel may be changed by filing this application with the appropriate fees. If your vessel is subject to a mortgage of record, you must obtain permission from the mortgagee.
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/vessel-hailing-port-change

Vessel Official Name Change: You may change the registered name of a vessel filing this application with the appropriate fees. If your vessel is subject to a mortgage of record, you must obtain permission from the mortgagee.
https://forms.unitedstatesvessel.us/vessel-name-change

Change of Vessel Endorsement/Trade Indicator: The trade indicator and endorsement of a vessel may be changed by filing this application with the appropriate fees. If your vessel is subject to a mortgage of record, you must obtain permission from the mortgagee.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/change-endorsement-trade-indicator/

Initial Documentation: Use this form to obtain US Coast Guard Documentation for new vessels and vessels which have never been documented.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/initial-documentation/

CG-1261: Builder’s Certification and First Transfer of Title: Must be completed by the BUILDER of the vessel. For INITIAL DOCUMENTATION ONLY. If more than one builder, each builder must complete a form. Evidence of U.S. build is required for all vessels seeking a fishery or coastwise endorsement.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/CG_1261.pdf

CG-5397: Application for Simplified Measurement: Completed by owner when CG-1261 Builder’s Certification and First Transfer of Title is not provided.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/CG-5397.pdf

MARAD Small Vessel Waiver: It is now possible for certain foreign-built vessels, or vessels with no documentation, to gain a waiver of the U.S.-build requirement in order to conduct limited commercial passenger operations in the United States. Some restrictions apply. Once a waiver is obtained, it becomes part of the vessel’s documentation and stays with the vessel if it is sold.

Certificate of Ownership: The NVDC issues Form CG-1330 Certificates of Ownership that indicate the owner of the vessel and whether there are outstanding encumbrances of record.  Owners retain these for legal and financial purposes (mortgages) and it is not necessary to have a Certificate of Ownership on board.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/certificate-of-ownership-form-cg-1330

Document Upload Page: This page will allow you to upload supporting documents for your submission. This includes items such as CG-1261 Builder’s Certification and First Transfer of Title and CG-5397 Application for Simplified Measurement for Initial Documentation Requests, along with CG-1340 Bills of Sale for Documentation Transfers and Exchanges.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/document-uploads/

CG-1340: Vessel Bill of Sale: Submit one original OR one copy of the Bill of Sale, signed by or on behalf of all persons, transferring an interest in the vessel; OR one original OR one copy of Form 1340 signed by or behalf of all persons transferring an interest in the vessel. Signature(s) of seller(s) must be acknowledged by a notary public. Altered Bills of Sale may be rejected. A copy of the Bill of Sale or related instrument will be returned.
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/CG-1340_Bill_of_Sale.pdf

Preferred Ships Mortgage: This form may be attached to a mortgage or related instrument. If this form is properly completed, the instrument to which it is attached will be filed and recorded WITH NO FURTHER REVIEW. This form must be submitted with an original or a copy of the mortgage.