In order to Document your vessel with the United States Coast Guard, you must file the correct application, pay the appropriate fees, and upload the necessary supporting documents (such as the CG-1340 Bill of Sale or other ownership documents).
If you have recently purchased a vessel that has already been Documented by the Coast Guard (larger than 25ft., possessing a 6-7 digit Official Number, marked in block-type Arabic numerals not less than three inches in height on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull, having a Vessel Name and Hailing Port on the stern of the vessel, and lacking state registration numbers) simply file an application for Transfer of Ownership via this link:
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/transfer-exchange/
If you have recently purchased a vessel that has never been Documented by the Coast Guard, you may proceed to the form for Initial Documentation here:
https://unitedstatesvessel.us/initial-documentation/
If you currently own a vessel that is NOT Documented by the Coast Guard (registered and titled in a U.S. State), and wish to obtain a Certificate of Documentation, you may file for Initial Documentation via the link above.
All Applications may be completed and processed online using our secure website. Upon completion, forms will be reviewed and submitted by a document preparation specialist.