Forms Expiration

The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) is aware that the forms used by this office are set to expire on April 30, 2023 (date can be found in the upper right corner of blank forms).  NVDC will continue to accept these versions until replacement forms are available for use.

MULTI-YEAR Certificate of Documentation (COD) for Recreational Vessel Owners

Until expanded online ordering options are available, Recreational vessel owners who wish to apply for a multi-year (1-5) COD may do so by submitting CG-1280 CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL and making payment ($26.00 per year requested, not to exceed $130.00 for a 5-YR COD) by:

  • Credit card, via CG-7042 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. Annotate fees paid for in block marked ‘Other’; OR
  • Check or Money Order made payable to the U.S. Coast Guard. Annotate Official Number and number of years selected in memo line.

Expanded Online Ordering

COMING SOON!  

As part of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) National Vessel Documentation Center’s (NVDC) continuous process improvement effort, NVDC is testing an expanded online ordering system.  

Once launched, the new eStorefront will provide customers with an efficient means to electronically apply for products directly with the USCG NVDC.  Customers will be able to securely apply for a multi-year (one, up to five year) Certificate of Documentation (COD) for Recreational vessels, one-year CODs for vessels with Commercial and/or Registry endorsements, or request an Abstract of Title (A/T) and/or Certified Copy of COD (CCOD).  

Not all products and services offered by NVDC will be immediately available; additional enhancements are planned to rollout in phases. During the transition period, customers can still visit pay.gov directly to order one-year CODs, A/Ts and CCODs.

Customer Survey

Your opinion matters to us, and the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) is committed to providing you with excellent customer service.  Your feedback will guide efforts to improve the Vessel Documentation Program. Please visit NVDC Customer Feedback to complete the survey. 

 

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.