Eligibility for USCG documentation is based on a few key factors, including the size of the vessel, how it will be used, and ownership status.
To qualify for Coast Guard documentation:
- The vessel must be wholly owned by a U.S. citizen or entity.
- It must measure at least five net tons, a measurement of volume, not weight. Most recreational boats over 25 feet in length meet this criterion.
- The vessel must be intended for navigation on the navigable waters of the U.S. or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
If your vessel is a commercial one (used for transporting people or goods for hire), you are required to document it if it meets the tonnage and ownership criteria. For recreational vessels, documentation is optional unless you’re financing the boat and the lender requires documentation as a condition of the loan.
Certain vessels are not eligible for documentation:
- Boats that do not meet the minimum size requirement of five net tons.
- Foreign-owned vessels.
- Vessels restricted to inland waters without access to navigable or EEZ routes.
We assist in verifying eligibility and can help determine whether your boat qualifies before you begin the process. Our portal removes the guesswork and ensures your application starts on solid ground.
Who Must Document Their Vessel?
Documentation is mandatory for:
- All commercial vessels over five net tons operating on navigable U.S. waters or the EEZ.
- Vessels carrying certain fisheries endorsements.
- Vessels that are financed through a preferred mortgage arrangement which requires documentation by the lender.
Owners of recreational vessels may choose to document their boat voluntarily. This is especially popular among those who plan to navigate internationally or want a secure, recognized form of title for their vessel. We make it easy for both required and elective documentation to be completed online.
What Are the Benefits of Boat Documentation?
Choosing to document your boat through the Coast Guard provides advantages that state registration may not offer. These include:
- National and international recognition of your boat’s registration.
- Clear chain of ownership that’s federally recorded.
- The ability to record a preferred ship mortgage.
- An official certificate that can streamline travel in international waters.
- Easier access to ports where USCG documentation is a prerequisite.
Our service simplifies access to these benefits by offering online submission, instant support, and a secure platform designed to keep your documentation up to date.
What is Boat Documentation?
Boat documentation refers to the federal registration of a vessel with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Unlike state titling or registration, this federal form of registration serves as official proof of ownership and nationality, granting certain legal and economic benefits to vessel owners. Documentation is available for vessels that meet specific eligibility standards and is required in some situations, especially for commercial use.
With our portal, we provide secure, streamlined access to the forms and services necessary for this important process. We offer digital filing, application tracking, renewal services, and a centralized resource to maintain compliance with the USCG.
How Does Our Service Make Boat Documentation Easier?
We’ve built our portal to remove as many of the traditional pain points as possible. Rather than mailing in paper forms, waiting in long queues, or trying to decipher complicated requirements on your own, we give you a centralized, easy-to-use online service that guides you every step of the way.
Here’s how we help:
- All forms are hosted online, available for digital completion and secure submission.
- Our system minimizes mistakes by flagging incomplete sections before submission.
- We offer status tracking so you know exactly where your submission stands.
- Our renewal notifications help prevent expiration lapses.
- We provide expedited processing options.
- Customer support is available to answer any questions, assist with corrections, or walk you through complex filings.
Whether you’re documenting for the first time or managing a renewal, we remove the administrative burden so you can focus on enjoying your vessel.
Is USCG Documentation the Same as Titling a Boat?
Not quite. Boat documentation is a federal process through the Coast Guard, while titling is generally handled by individual states. Documentation serves as both ownership title and registration, but at the federal level. With documentation, you receive a Certificate of Documentation (COD) rather than a state-issued title.
Many financial institutions require a COD for marine loans because it allows them to record a preferred mortgage with the Coast Guard. If you’re planning to finance your vessel, documenting it may be the more secure route. We assist in both first-time documentation and the addition of preferred mortgage filings.
What Happens If I Don’t Renew My USCG Documentation?
Your documentation is valid for one year. If you do not renew it on time, it will expire, and your vessel will no longer have a valid federal registration. That can affect:
- Your ability to use the vessel legally in certain waters.
- Your ability to retain your preferred mortgage status.
- Entry into certain harbors or marinas that require documentation.
We offer a renewal service that includes reminders, simplified form submission, and expedited processing. That way, your documentation doesn’t lapse, and your vessel remains in compliance.
Do I Need to Carry My Certificate Onboard?
Yes, federal law requires that the Certificate of Documentation be carried on board at all times. It must be available for inspection whenever the vessel is in operation.
We help make that easier by ensuring that your Certificate of Documentation is processed promptly and mailed directly to you. In the case of renewal or reinstatement, our service helps you obtain a replacement if the certificate is lost or damaged.
How Can I Change Ownership or Address on My Documentation?
When ownership changes, such as through a sale or transfer, the documentation must be updated with the Coast Guard. Similarly, if you move, the address listed must be changed.
We provide streamlined services for:
- Transfer of ownership
- Name changes
- Managing deletions from documentation
- Reinstatements after expiration
- Replacements for lost or damaged certificates
Our portal includes forms for all of these updates, as well as built-in error-checking and support to ensure your submission is accurate and complete.
What If I Need to Remove My Vessel from USCG Documentation?
There are times when you may need to delete your vessel from documentation—for example, if the vessel is sold to a foreign citizen, destroyed, or no longer meets the tonnage requirements.
We offer deletion services that allow you to remove your vessel from federal records in a compliant and timely manner. This step is important for protecting your liability and ensuring your record remains accurate with the USCG.
Do You Offer Help with Additional Endorsements?
Yes. When applying for or updating documentation, you may choose an endorsement that fits your vessel’s use. The most common endorsements include:
- Recreationalus
- Coastwise (transporting people or goods)
- Fishery
- Registry (for foreign trade)
Our portal enables you to select or change your endorsement type and provides guidance on which one suits your needs. We can also assist in applying for the necessary supporting documents that go with certain endorsements, especially fishery and coastwise operations.
How Do I Start the Boat Documentation Process?
Through our portal, getting started is simple. Just select the service you need—whether it’s initial documentation, renewal, transfer, or another filing—and complete the online form. Our system will guide you through each required section.
You’ll upload supporting documents directly and receive confirmation as soon as your application is submitted. From there, we monitor the status and provide updates so you’re never in the dark.
We’ve created this service to save you time, prevent costly mistakes, and maintain compliance. Whether you’re documenting for the first time or simply need to renew, we’re here to help you every step of the way.