How do I check the Status of my Coast guard Boat Documentation? – Processing Times
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Checking the status of your vessel documentation with the United States Coast Guard is pretty easy once you know how. Boat owners can submit their boats for initial documentation and can follow up on the application status following the steps below. They also list application processing times.
If you want to know if a boat is already documented, you can easily do a search on the Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center and on our site for free to determine documentation status of a vessel.
What is USCG Documentation for Vessels
United States Coast Guard Documentation for the vessel is the national form of titling for boats compared to local state tilting. It is how a vessel becomes federally registered in the US. You can read more about Coast Guard Vessel documentation in our other articles.
Check Work packet Status of your USCG Vessel application
If you have sent an application for renewal or initial Certificate of documentation, you may check the submission status of your Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Application at any time by visiting the National Vessel Documentation Center. They have a website called CGMIX Work Packet Status Inquiry
Address: https://cgmix.uscg.mil/VDS/SearchAndReturn/Search.asp
When you are on the page, you can enter the vessel official number to see the status of your work packet being processed or received.
Validate Documentation Status of a Vessel – Certificate of documentation lookup
IF you want to check if a vessel is actually documented with the coat guard, there are many ways to validate this. You need to try and answer the following questions to check Documentation Status of a boat:
- Does it have a USCG official vessel number?
- Does it have a vessel name on the bow?
- Is there a state registration number on the bow?
- Does it have a hailing port and vessel name on the stern?
- Search the Hull ID number against the Boat-Alert database to find cross references to any USCG number that might exist
- Lookup the vessel name or HIN using our free search tool
- Do a certificate of documentation lookup using CG No.
How long does it take for my application with the Coast Guard?
In order to find out how long applications take to be processed at the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), please follow the information below regarding standard expected wait times.
Standard application processing times at National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC)
There are standard delays and processing durations for your applications at the national vessel documentation center (NVDC). Those standard processing times are listed below. This is how long it takes for each application:
- Initial COD (Fishery): 10 working days.
- Initial COD (Recreational): 70-80 working days.
- COD Renewal: 15 working days.
- Notice of Claim of Liens: 4 months.
- Satisfaction of Ship Mortgage: 4 months.
- Abstract of Title (A/T): 5-10 business days.
- If you want to get a Title Abstract for your boat, it can take 4-5 business days with brokers like us.
- To renew your Certificate of Documentation it can take 60 days.
Current Case Processing times at the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC)
Instead of relying on the standard processing times above, you can look up the current estimated timeframe for applications being processed this week by the National Vessel Documentation Center. The NVDC Case Processing Dates are listed on a table that is updated weekly. You can access it here:
National Vessel Documentation Center Case Processing Times – click on “NVDC Case Processing Report” at the bottom of the page.
Next, Some Frequently Asked Questions on Documentation Delays
Here we shall be looking at some of the boat documentation times FAQs. Although, there are several frequently asked questions regarding vessel documentation with the United States Coast Guard. Below are some of the FAQs;
- How long does it take to renew a vessel’s documentation papers?
- How long does it take to transfer ownership of a USCG documented vessel?
- How long does it take to get a vessel title abstract?
- How long is Coast Guard documentation good for?
- What are the fees for the processing of applications at the NVDC?
- How to get an Abstract of Title Search Report
How long does it take to get initial documentation of a vessel?
The initial vessel documentation application takes 80 days to process.
How long does it take to renew a vessel’s documentation papers?
As you may know by now, vessel documentation or COD is valid for one year from the exact date of issuance but for recreational vessels, you can now renew up to 5 years. It is expected that a boat owner does not allow a document to expire. A renewal notice would be sent to the owner by the USCG within 45 days of document expiration. The renewal processing time is 15 days.
How much times does it take to obtain a vessel certificate of documentation (COD)
If this is the first time you apply for vessel documentation on a boat, it can take 80 days for the application to be processed and receive your COD.
How long does it take to transfer ownership of a USCG documented vessel?
The transfer of vessel ownership can take the same amount of time as a renewal or about 15 days. This is because the initial documentation is already done. It might go up to 3 depending on the workload in the National Vessel Documentation Center office.
How long does it take to get a vessel title abstract?
When working with us, you get a fast service for abstract of title. The order is processed immediately and you get the vessel abstract in 4 business days usually.
How long is Coast Guard documentation good for?
Recreational vessel documentation is good for 1 year after the initial application for documentation wit the NVDC, but you can renew for 5 years after that.
How to get an Abstract of Title search report
…you need uscg no and go to our home page to order it.
It is strongly advised to get an Abstract of Title before a Documented vessel Sale or transfer. This is to make sure there are no liens, encumbrances or outstanding mortgages on the boat.
What are the fees for the processing of applications at the NVDC?
All of the fees are listed on the NVDC Fee Schedule page and are detailed for each type of application. They are shown below.
Note: Certificate of Documentation (COD) above 60 days before the expiration will be issued with a new issue/expiration date. This will reduce the validity period of the current document, and will still maintain the same month.
CODs renewed more than 60 days before expiration will be issued with a new issue/expiration date, shortening the validity period of your current document. CODs renewed 60 days or less from expiration will maintain the same expiration month.
Note: Late renewal will require paying a late fee of $5 in addition to other applicable fees. COD request is tagged late if the renewal request is more than 30 days before the expiration of the Certificate of Documentation (COD).
Note: Also, late renewal requests will need reinstatement since the renewal requests are over 31 days after the expiration of the Certificate of Documentation (COD).
Conclusion- How to get an Abstract of Title Search Report
As stated earlier, getting the abstract of title doesn’t have to take time if you use an efficient and reliable broker like Boat Abstract. You can order the abstract of title from our home page from the comfort of your home using secure PayPal payments.
It is strongly advised to get an Abstract of Title before a Documented vessel purchase. This is to make sure there are no liens, encumbrances, or outstanding mortgages on the boat.