U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Documentation is a national form of boat registration. Documented vessels do not have titles; they maintain Certificates of Documentation that expire in 1-5 years from issuance. Documentation provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes, provides for unhindered commerce between the states, and admits vessels to certain restricted trades, such as coastwise trade and the fisheries. Since 1920, vessel financing has been enhanced through the availability of preferred mortgages on documented vessels.
A Certificate of Documentation is valid for 1-5 years from the date of issue, and must be renewed on an annual basis unless the multi-year renewal fees are submitted.
Certificates of Documentation may be renewed online (including multi-year renewals) via the link below:
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/renewal-documentation/
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION FOR YOUR VESSEL
If you have recently purchased a vessel and it already has an Official Documentation Number, please use the form for Transfer/Exchange of Documentation via the link below and be sure to upload the appropriate Bill of Sale and/or State Title: https://unitedstatesvessel.us/transfer-exchange/
If you are unsure if your vessel has ever been Documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, please send the Administrator an email requesting verification to: administrator@unitedstatesvessel.us. Please include the vessel name and Hull Identification number in your message.
If your vessel has never been Documented, you may apply online for Initial Documentation via the link below:
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/initial-documentation/
Even though it is up to the owner to ensure the Certificate does not pass expiration, the Coast Guard will send a Notice of Renewal to the managing owner approximately 45 days prior to expiration. See the instruction letter Renewal of Certificate of Documentation elsewhere at this site regarding renewal procedures.
A Certificate of Documentation may be endorsed for fishery, coastwise, registry, or recreation. Any Documented vessel may be used for recreational purposes, regardless of its endorsement, but a vessel Documented with a recreational endorsement only may not be used for any other purpose. Registry endorsements are generally used for foreign trade.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADDING A COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT TO YOUR CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION
If you wish to add a commercial endorsement, such as a fishery, coastwise or registry endorsement, you may complete the application online via the link below:
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/change-endorsement-trade-indicator/