Initial Vessel Documentation

OMB 1625-0027 DOCUMENTING YOUR VESSEL WITH THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD: Use this form to obtain a Certificate of Documentation for new vessels and vessels which have never been Documented. If you have recently purchased a vessel and it already has an Official Documentation Number, please utilize 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 the vessel has never been Documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, ownership may be established for used vessels by submission of a copy of the State Registration or Title. For new vessels, please include the Builder’s Certification (Form CG-1261), naming the applicant for Documentation as the person for whom the vessel was built or to whom the vessel was first transferred. Also acceptable are a transfer on a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin, or foreign registration showing that the applicant owns the vessel.

For initial applications of vessels that have never been Documented, you will need to submit supporting documents for calculated tonnage if you do not have the CG-1261 Builder’s Certification:

CG-5397 Application for Simplified Measurement: https://unitedstatesvessel.us/CG-5397.pdf

1Vessel Information2Ownership Information3Submission & Payment

• VESSEL INFORMATION

• OWNERSHIP STATUS
  • I currently own/manage this vessel and am transferring from State registration to US Coast Guard Documentation
  • This vessel was recently purchased from another party and has never been issued an Official Documentation Number
  • This vessel was recently purchased from another party and has an Official Documentation Number
  • This vessel was recently built or completed
• IF THIS VESSEL HAS BEEN PURCHASED FROM ANOTHER PARTY AND ALREADY HAS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION NUMBER, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE FORM FOR TRANSFER/EXCHANGE OF DOCUMENTATION.https://unitedstatesvessel.us/transfer-exchange/
• A. VESSEL NAME (REQUIRED)* Insert name by which you wish the vessel to be known. If applying to change the vessel's name, insert the old vessel name in parenthesis. Only standard Alpha and Numeric Characters in the vessel name will appear on the Certificate of Documentation. (b) The name designated: (1) Must be composed of letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals; (2) May not be identical, actually or phonetically, to any word or words used to solicit assistance at sea; and (3) May not contain nor be phonetically identical to obscene, indecent, or profane language, or to racial or ethnic epithets. (d) Until such time as the owner of a vessel elects to change the name of a vessel, the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section do not apply to vessels validly documented before January 1, 1994.
• B. VESSEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (IF ANY)If awarded, insert the Official Number (O/N) awarded by the Coast Guard for all but initial issue cases. Insert International Maritime Organization Number (IMO), if any. Insert Hull Identification Number (HIN) as assigned in accordance with 33 CFR 81. Official number marking requirement. The official number of the vessel, preceded by the abbreviation “NO.” must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals not less than three inches in height on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed to the vessel so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious. If the official number is on a separate plate, the plate must be fastened in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. OFFICIAL # (IF AWARDED) HULL ID # (IF ANY)
• VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS/TONNAGE Length Gross Tonnage Net Tonnage The gross and net tonnage and dimensions of a vessel for purposes of this part are determined in accordance with 46 CFR part 69.A certificate of measurement issued by an authorized official is the only acceptable evidence of the gross and net tonnage of a vessel measured in accordance with subpart B, C, or D of 46 CFR part 69. A certificate of measurement is not issued for vessels measured under subpart E of 46 CFR part 69 since the gross and net tonnage are determined as part of the documentation process.
• VESSEL BUILD LOCATIONProvide the location where the vessel was built or is being built City State / Province / Region AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatini (Swaziland)EthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands Country
• VESSEL BUILD DATEProvide the month and year the vessel was built
• C. HULL MATERIAL:
  • FIBROUS REINFORCED PLASTIC (FIBERGLASS)
  • WOOD
  • ALUMINUM
  • STEEL
  • CONCRETE
  • OTHER
• (Describe) Type of Material
• D. TOTAL ENGINE HORSEPOWER*
• E. HAILING PORT INCLUDING STATE (TO BE MARKED ON VESSEL)* Insert name of place and state exactly as it is or will be marked on the vessel. The hailing port must be a place in the United States. Commonly used abbreviations such as ‘NY, NY’ are acceptable. (a) The hailing port must be a place in the United States included in the U.S. Department of Commerce's Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 55DC. (b) The hailing port must include the State, territory, or possession in which it is located. (c) The Director, National Vessel Documentation Center has final authority to settle disputes as to the propriety of the hailing port designated. (d) Until such time as the vessel owner elects to designate a new hailing port, the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section do not apply to vessels which were issued a Certificate of Documentation before July 1, 1982.
• F. ENDORSEMENTS FOR WHICH APPLICATION IS MADECheck the appropriate block(s) to indicate all endorsement(s) sought on this application.
  • RECREATIONAL - (a) A recreational endorsement entitles a vessel to pleasure use only. (b) Any vessel eligible for documentation under § 67.5 is eligible for a recreational endorsement.
  • FISHERY - (a) A fishery endorsement entitles a vessel to employment in the fisheries as defined in § 67.3, subject to Federal and State laws regulating the fisheries, and in any other employment for which a registry or coastwise endorsement is not required. A fishery endorsement entitles a vessel to land its catch, wherever caught, in the United States.
  • COASTWISE - (a) A coastwise endorsement entitles a vessel to employment in unrestricted coastwise trade, dredging, towing, and any other employment for which a registry or fishery endorsement is not required.
  • REGISTRY - (a) A registry endorsement entitles a vessel to employment in the foreign trade; trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef; and any other employment for which a coastwise, or fishery endorsement is not required.
  • COASTWISE – BOWATERS ONLY (CERTIFICATE ON FILE)
  • COASTWISE – OIL SPILL RESPONSE ONLY (LETTER OF QUALIFICATION ON FILE)
  • COASTWISE UNDER CHARTER TO AN ENTITY QUALIFIED TO ENGAGE IN COASTWISE TRADE (COPY OF CHARTER ON FILE)
• G. PRIMARY SERVICE:*Select only ONE service for which the vessel will be primarily used and insert horsepower
  • RECREATIONAL
  • PASSENGER (6 OR FEWER)
  • PASSENGER (MORE THAN 6 )
  • COMMERCIAL FISHING BOAT
  • FREIGHT SHIP
  • FISH PROCESSING VESSEL
  • FREIGHT BARGE
  • INDUSTRIAL VESSEL
  • MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNIT
  • OIL RECOVERY
  • OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSEL
  • PASSENGER BARGE (6 OR FEWER)
  • PASSENGER BARGE (MORE THAN 6)
  • PUBLIC FREIGHT
  • PUBLIC TANKSHIP/BARGE
  • PUBLIC VESSEL, UNC
  • RESEARCH VESSEL
  • SCHOOL SHIP
  • TANK BARGE
  • TANK SHIP
  • TOWING VESSEL
  • UNCLASSIFIED VESSEL

• OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

  Name, e-mail address and telephone number of the owner to whom the Coast Guard should send correspondence and their Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN). SSN or TIN IS REQUIRED. Only an owner or part owner can be the managing owner. For vessels owned by a corporation the corporation is the managing owner. For a trust arrangement, the trustee is the managing owner. For a Partnership or a LLC, the name of the Partnership or the LLC should be shown.
• Email*
• Phone*
• I. OWNERSHIP ENTITY TYPE
  • Individual(s) - This vessel is owned by one or more individuals
  • Corporation or Other Entity - This vessel is owned by a corporation, government entity or other non-individual entity.
• CITIZENSHIP OF INDIVIDUAL OWNER(S) (REQUIRED)
  • ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUALS I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ALL OWNERS OF THIS VESSEL ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES
• Managing Owner Name* First Last
• Managing Owner Contact Information Phone Email
• Managing Owner Social Security Number*(REQUIRED – 46 USC 12104): (SECURE FORM)
• ARE THERE ADDITIONAL OWNERS?
  • No
  • Yes
• NAME(S) & SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S) FOR ADDITIONAL OWNER(S)Click the plus symbol to add additional owners.

  Name of Additional Owner(s)	Social Security Number(s) of Additional Owner(s)

• Business or Other Entity Type
  • LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC)
  • CORPORATION
  • CORPORATION QUALIFIED AND APPLYING UNDER 46 CFR 68.01 (BOWATERS)
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • JOINT VENTURE OR ASSOCIATION
  • VESSEL OWNED OR OPERATED BY NOT-FOR-PROFIT OIL RECOVERY COOPERATIVE
  • TRUST ARRANGEMENT
  • GOVERNMENT ENTITY (FEDERAL, STATE, TERRITORY, POSSESSION OR SUBDIVISION)
• NAME(S) & SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S) FOR ADDITIONAL OWNER(S), TRUSTEE(S) OR MEMBER(S)NOTE: SSNs NOT required for additional LLC members. Click the plus symbol to add additional owners.

  Name of Additional Owner(s)	Social Security Number(s) of Additional Owner(s)

• FULL NAME OF MANAGING ENTITYProvide the name of the managing entity, such as the LLC, Corporation or division of Government.
• STATE WHERE ORGANIZED
• CONTACT NAME First Last
• MANAGING CORPORATION TAX ID NUMBER*(REQUIRED – 46 USC 12104): (SECURE FORM)
• LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC): (COMPLETE EQUITY SECTION AND CHOOSE TYPE) (SEE SECTION M, ITEM 5 WHEN APPLYING FOR A FISHERY OR COASTWISE ENDORSEMENT). EQUITY INTEREST OWNED BY PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT WITH THE ENDORSEMENT SOUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 46 CFR PART 67 (SUBPART C)
  • LESS THAN 50%
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER, IF APPLICABLE)
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER AND IN THE AGGREGATE (IF FISHERY), IF APPLICABLE)
  • 50% OR MORE: (STATE)
• STATE EXACT PERCENTAGE
• • MEMBER MANAGED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THIS LLC ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
• 2. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY NOT MANAGED BY MEMBERS AND NOT SIMILAR TO GENERAL PARTNERSHIP: PLEASE NOTE (A) & (B) MUST BE CHECKED FOR FISHERY AND COASTWISE ENDORSEMENTS; NOT REQUIRED FOR COASTWISE OIL SPILL OR COASTWISE UNDER CHARTER ENDORSEMENTS.
  • A. I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ANY PERSON ELECTED TO MANAGE THE LLC OR WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO BIND THE LLC, AND ANY PERSON WHO HOLDS A POSITION EQUIVALENT TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BY WHATEVER TITLE, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN A CORPORATION, AND ANY PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO ACT IN THEIR ABSENCE ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES
  • B. NON-CITIZENS DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY WITHIN A MANAGEMENT GROUP, WHETHER THROUGH VETO POWER, COMBINED VOTING, OR OTHERWISE, TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THE LLC
• 1. STATE OF INCORPORATION
• 2. CITIZENSHIP OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BY WHATEVER TITLE
• 3. CITIZENSHIP OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
• 4. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTE A QUORUM
• 5. NUMBER OF ALIEN DIRECTORS
• 6. PERCENTAGE OF STOCK OWNED BY U.S. CITIZENS ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT ON THIS APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 46 CFR PART 67 (SUBPART C)
  • LESS THAN 50%
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER, IF APPLICABLE)
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER AND IN THE AGGREGATE (IF FISHERY), IF APPLICABLE)
  • 50% OR MORE: (I)
• PARTNERSHIP (COMPLETE EQUITY SECTION AND CHOOSE TYPE) (SEE SECTION M, ITEM 5 WHEN APPLYING FOR FISHERY OR COASTWISE ENDORSEMENT) EQUITY INTEREST OWNED BY PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT WITH THE ENDORSEMENT SOUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 46 CFR PART 67 (SUBPART C)
  • LESS THAN 50%
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER, IF APPLICABLE)
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER AND IN THE AGGREGATE (IF FISHERY), IF APPLICABLE)
  • 50% OR MORE: (STATE)
• State Percentage:
• • 1. GENERAL PARTNERSHIP I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ALL PARTNERS IN THIS PARTNERSHIP ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
  • 2. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ALL GENERAL PARTNERS IN THIS PARTNERSHIP ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
• LIST ALL GENERAL PARTNERS (REQUIRED)
• CORPORATION QUALIFIED AND APPLYING UNDER 46 CFR 68.01 (BOWATERS)
  • I (WE) CERTIFY THAT THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.
• VESSEL OWNED OR OPERATED BY NOT-FOR-PROFIT OIL RECOVERY COOPERATIVE
  • I (WE) CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION ON FILE WITH REGARD TO COOPERATIVE AND ISSUANCE OF THE LETTER OF QUALIFICATION REMAINS UNCHANGED
• JOINT VENTURE OR ASSOCIATION
  • I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THIS (JOINT VENTURE) (ASSOCIATION) ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT.
• LIST ALL JOINT VENTURERS/MEMBERS (REQUIRED)
• TRUST ARRANGEMENT
  • I (WE) CERTIFY THAT ALL TRUSTEES AND ALL BENEFICIARIES WITH AN ENFORCEABLE INTEREST IN THIS TRUST ARRANGEMENT ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
• • I (WE) CERTIFY THAT THE VESSEL IS OWNED IN A TRUST ARRANGEMENT THAT QUALIFIES FOR A REGISTRY ENDORSEMENT ONLY PURSUANT TO PUBLIC LAW 104-324, SECT. 1136. ATTACHED IS AN AFFIDAVIT OF EACH TRUSTEE AND CITIZENSHIP EVIDENCE FOR THE CHARTERER AS REQUIRED UNDER THE STATUTE
• EQUITY INTEREST OWNED BY PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO DOCUMENT VESSELS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT WITH THE ENDORSEMENT(S) SOUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 46 CFR PART 67 (SUBPART C)
  • LESS THAN 50%
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER, IF APPLICABLE)
  • 75% OR MORE (AND, AT EACH TIER AND IN THE AGGREGATE (IF FISHERY), IF APPLICABLE)
  • 50% OR MORE: (STATE)
• STATE
• OR
• • VESSEL OWNED IN A TRUST ARRANGEMENT PURSUANT TO 46 USC 12111(c) (CROSS BORDER FINANCING)
• PROVIDE LIST OF ALL TRUSTEES AND ALL BENEFICIARIES WITH AN ENFORCEABLE INTEREST (REQUIRED)
• J. I (WE) CERTIFY THAT:Complete as appropriate. The law provides severe penalties for false statements against both the person (including agents) making the statement and against the vessel for which it is made.
  • I AM (WE ARE) A CITIZEN(S) OF THE UNITED STATES AND LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE THIS APPLICATION IN THE CAPACITY SHOWN;
  • (b) WILL AT ALL TIMES REMAIN UNDER THE COMMAND OF A U.S. CITIZEN, UNLESS DOCUMENTED SOLELY WITH A RECREATIONAL ENDORSEMENT; WILL NOT BE OPERATED IN A TRADE NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE ENDORSEMENT(S) ON THE CERTIFICATE(S) OF DOCUMENTATION. THE NAME(S) OF THE VESSEL(S) WILL NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE NATIONAL VESSEL DOCUMENTATION CENTER; AND I(WE) WILL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE NATIONAL VESSEL DOCUMENTATION CENTER UPON A CHANGE IN ANY OF THE INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS IN THIS APPLICATION.
• I (WE) CERTIFY THAT: IN ACCORDANCE WITH 46 CFR PART 67 (SUBPART I) ;
  • (a) THE VESSEL HAS BEEN MARKED WITH AN OFFICIAL NUMBER, NAME AND HAILING PORT
  • THE VESSEL WILL BE MARKED WITH AN OFFICIAL NUMBER, NAME AND HAILING PORT;
• I (WE) CERTIFY THAT: THE VESSEL
  • HAS NOT BEEN REBUILT OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED SINCE LAST DOCUMENTATION;
  • HAS BEEN STRUCTURALLY REBUILT OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED SINCE LAST DOCUMENTATION (DOES NOT INCLUDE MOTOR OR MINOR COSMETIC CHANGES)
  If substantially rebuilt, please be prepared to present detailed information about what modifications were performed on the Ship Builder's letter head with details and evidence.
• I (WE) CERTIFY THAT: THE VESSEL
  • IS NOT TITLED UNDER A STATE (OR)
  • IS TITLED UNDER THE LAWS OF (INPUT BELOW)
• TITLED UNDER THE LAWS OF:
• THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS REQUIRED FOR COASTWISE AND/OR FISHERY ENDORSEMENTS; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR COASTWISE BOWATER ONLY, OIL SPILL, OR UNDER CHARTER ENDORSEMENTS.
• • 5. U.S. CONTROL CERTIFICATION: THERE IS NO CONTRACT OR UNDERSTANDING THAT PROVIDES MORE THAN 25% OF THE VOTING POWER IN THE PARTNERSHIP, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CORPORATION, OR OTHER OWNING ENTITY EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ON BEHALF OF ANY PERSON NOT A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES. BY NO MEANS WHATSOEVER IS CONTROL IN EXCESS OF 25% CONFERRED UPON OR PERMITTED TO BE EXERCISED BY A PERSON WHO IS NOT A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES.
• K. PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF MANAGING OWNER/CORPORATION (REQUIRED - 46 CFR 67.113) Street Address Address Line 2 City State ex. West VirginiaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific ZIP Code
• L. MAILING ADDRESS OF MANAGING OWNER (IF DIFFERENT THAN PHYSICAL ADDRESS – E.G., P.O. BOX) Same as Physical Address Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code
• POTENTIAL PENALTIES FOR FALSE STATEMENTS OR REPRESENTATIONS BY OWNER OR REPRESENTATIVE: CIVIL, MONETARY, VESSEL FORFEITURE (46 USC 12151), FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT (18 USC 1001)
• DIGITAL SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT* The information contained herein is true and correct
• CAPACITYOWNERAGENTTRUSTEEGENERAL PARTNERCORPORATE OFFICERMEMBER
• DATE MM slash DD slash YYYY
• FILING YOUR INITIAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRES EITHER A (CG-1261) BUILDER'S CERTIFICATION AND FIRST TRANSFER OF TITLE (MORE COMMON WITH NEWLY BUILT VESSELS) OR A (CG-5397) APPLICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED MEASUREMENT
  • I HAVE THE (CG-1261) BUILDER'S CERTIFICATION AND FIRST TRANSFER OF TITLE
  • I HAVE THE (CG-5397) APPLICATION FOR SIMPLIFIED MEASUREMENT
  • I DO NOT HAVE EITHER OF THESE DOCUMENTS.
• CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FORM CG-5397 The web-based Interactive Form, Application for Simplified Measurement (CG-5397), used to calculate tonnages is replaced with an updated Adobe Acrobat Forms (.pdf) version, which also calculates tonnages. Instructions The calculated tonnages will be displayed in the upper right hand of the form, as indicated on the sample form on the left, when the necessary information required to perform the calculation has been entered. If the tonnages don't display, make sure you've hit the Enter key after typing the last entry. Use the Application for Simplified Measurement (CG-5397) form to apply to the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) for tonnage assignment under the simplified measurement system. You may complete the form electronically, and then print it for signature, or you may print the blank form and complete it entirely by hand.
• PROOF OF OWNERSHIP
  • I HAVE THE BUILDER'S CERTIFICATION WHICH HAS THE "PARTY FOR WHOM BUILT" IN MY NAME
  • I WILL ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP VIA THE 'SIMPLIFIED METHOD'
  CG-1340 Bill of Sale: This form may not be necessary if the Builder's Certification & First Transfer of Title form is submitted and shows the applicant as "Party for Whom Built" in Block V, or as the transferee in the First Sale or Transfer in Block VII. Otherwise, a bill of sale is completed by seller. Signature of seller(s) must be acknowledged before a notary public. If information has been altered in any way, it will be rejected. The bill of sale may be original or a signed copy. Do not submit a duplicate. A copy of the instrument will be returned. Simplified Method: Ownership may be established from state title or state or foreign registration. A copy of the title or registration must be provided WITH the bill(s) of sale from the registered owner to applicant. If the foreign registry is similar to U.S. documentation, provide a copy Simplified method does not apply to Coastwise vessels of over 200 ITC gross tons. In addition to U.S. build evidence; submit the complete chain of title and proof of U.S. citizenship for all past owners. Form MA-899 can be used to establish citizenship and will be provided upon request.
• PLEASE UPLOAD THE REQUIRED DOCUMENT(S) HERE Drop files here or Select files Max. file size: 512 MB.
• UPLOAD STATE TITLE/REGISTRATION HEREMax. file size: 512 MB.If you are processing your Documentation from State Registration, the NVDC will need proof of ownership as indicated by your State Title/Registration. Please upload it here.
• APPLICATION FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE (46 CFR 67.500 (e)).

• PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

  PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 5 U.S.C. 553a, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO YOU WHEN SUPPLYING PERSONAL INFORMATION TO THE U.S. COAST GUARD. 1. AUTHORITY. SOLICITATION OF THIS INFORMATION IS AUTHORIZED BY 46 U.S.C., CHAPTERS 121 AND 125; 46 U.S.C. APP. 802 AND 883. 2. THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS INFORMATION IS TO BE USED ARE: (1) TO DETERMINE CITIZENSHIP OF THE OWNER OF THE VESSEL FOR WHICH APPLICATION FOR DOCUMENTATION IS MADE; AND (2) TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF THE VESSEL TO BE DOCUMENTED WITH THE TRADE ENDORSEMENT SOUGHT. 3. THE ROUTINE USES WHICH MAY BE MADE OF THIS INFORMATION INCLUDE RELEASE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, AND TO PUBLISH INFORMATION ABOUT U.S. DOCUMENTED VESSELS. 4. DISCLOSURE OF THE INFORMATION REQUESTED ON THIS FORM IS VOLUNTARY, HOWEVER, FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUESTED WILL RESULT IN DENIAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR DOCUMENTATION, WHICH MAY PREVENT THE OWNER FROM OPERATING THE VESSEL(S) IN A SPECIFIED TRADE.

• SUBMISSION AND PAYMENT

• HiddenFormC
• Initial Documentation Price:
• Please select any additional services you wish to have processed
  • Priority Request - Rush Processing
  • Abstract of Title - Complete Vessel Ownership/Lien Report
  • Certified Copy of Certificate of Documentation
  • Coastwise Endorsement
  • Fishery Endorsement
• The reason priority handling is being requested, along with any pertinent documentation to support request (Required)The priority handling process is designed to expedite issuance of Certificate of Documentation where a vessel is unable to be used for intended endorsement use. An example might be a vessel is being held in foreign waters and not permitted to leave because the vessel's Certificate of Documentation has expired. THIS CRITERIA IS VERY SPECIFIC AND NOT ALL PRIORITY REQUESTS ARE APPROVED. THE FEE FOR THIS REQUEST IS NON-REFUNDABLE
• Priority Request Supporting Documents(e.g. letter from marina, notice from lien holder, foreign travel, etc.)Max. file size: 512 MB.
• Planned departure date and location including City and State or Country. (Required)
• Planned arrival location including City and Sate or Country (Required)
• Multi-Year Renewal of Certificate Of Documentation (Avoid possible expiration leading to Reinstatement fees)*
  • (1) Additional year: New Certificate of Documentation expiration- [2027] ($64)
  • (2) Additional years: New Certificate of Documentation expiration- [2028] ($128)
  • (3) Additional years: New Certificate of Documentation expiration- [2029] ($192)
  • (4) Additional years: New Certificate of Documentation expiration- [2030] ($256)
  • None - I prefer to manually renew each year
  Standard Certificates of Documentation are valid for one year. Select the amount of years you would like to add to your Certificate of Documentation. This will help you avoid costly and burdensome Reinstatement applications and removals from the USCG database.
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