DUE TO A LAPSE IN FEDERAL FUNDING, THIS WEBSITE WILL NOT BE ACTIVELY MANAGED.

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For more information, please visit our CURRENT STATUS page.

 

Government Shutdown - Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Due to the federal funding hiatus, application requests for documentation and other services related to commercial operations will be held until the government re-opens.  Requests related to recreational endorsements/activities will continue to be processed.

 
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Expanded Online Ordering

The NVDC’s eStorefront provides customers with an efficient and secure means to electronically apply for products directly with the US Coast Guard.  Customers can:

  •  Apply for an Initial, Replacement, Reinstatement or Exchange of a Certificate of Documentation.
  •  Apply for Return to Documentation.
  •  Renew their Recreational vessel’s Certificate of Documentation (COD) for 1 to 5 years.
  •  Renew their Commercial/Registry endorsements on their COD for one-year.
  •  Renew their Fleet’s CODs
  •  Request an Abstract of Title (A/T) and/or Certified Copy of COD (CCOD).
  •  Change their address.
  •  File a Mortgage or Related Instrument.
  •  File a Satisfaction, Release of Mortgage or Lien.
  •  File a Notice of Claim of Lien.
  •  File a Bill of Sale and related Instruments.
  •  Request a Deletion Letter.
  •  Request a Certificate of Ownership for a Single Vessel or Multiple Unrelated Vessels.
  •  Request a Certificate of Ownership for a Fleet of Vessels.

​For products and services not listed, please contact the NVDC.

 

 

 

Third Party Awareness

The NVDC is aware there are commercial entities that offer to manage the certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee.  The Coast Guard does not endorse any of these companies, and the companies do not operate on behalf of the Coast Guard in any way. Any fees charged or agreements offered by such companies are in no way associated with the NVDC certification process.  In addition, these companies are not authorized to issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/or permits that authorize operation of ANY vessel. Customer complaints can be made through the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website at https://www.ftc.gov/.  You are encouraged to contact FTC. See Third Party Awareness - 2024

 

Mission Statement

The National Vessel Documentation Center facilitates maritime commerce and the availability of financing while protecting economic privileges of United States citizens through the enforcement of regulations, and provides a register of vessels available in time of war or emergency to defend and protect the United States of America.

 

 

NVDC Case Processing Report