Form cg1270
US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation (COD)
The above image is the sample of COD for those who do not know what the Certificate of Documentation for boats looks like in the USA. All through our various posts, we have stressed the importance of vessel documentation.
Nevertheless, we shall go deep into several aspects of US Coast Vessel Documentation like what is Certificate of Documentation, the forms, the responsibility of NVDC, and what to do if you have lost your certificate of Documentation.
What is a Certificate of Documentation for a vessel from the USCG?
First, what is a Certificate of Documentation (COD)? The certificate of documentation of a vessel with the United States Coast Guard establishes the ownership and nationality of a vessel. In other words, it is a national form of vessel registration. You must understand that Documented vessels do not have titles, instead, they maintain a COD that has 1 to 5 years renewal cycle. The importance of documenting your boat with the USCG cannot be over-emphasized for those boats the meet the requirements. Once the Boat is documented, the national vessel documentation center will issue a COD to you. the COD also validates that the vessel meets operational and build competence (safety and construction criteria).
You must keep it on board your vessel at all times. The holder is eligible for reduced fees or tolls at government-subsidized facilities. It must be updated if you change your Vessel’s info such as Name, Ownership, Tonnage.
What is a documented vessel
The USCG vessel documentation implies the process of recording or registering your boat with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). In other words, your boat is being titled on a national level. This is opposite to state level titling or registration at the local DMV or DNR.
This national form of registration gives a boat its nationality and an official number that will be on the Certificate of Documentation (COD) paper. There are requirements for ships to be documented and there are benefits to USCG documentation of a vessel.
National vessel documentation center
Are you wondering about the roles and responsibilities of the National Vessel Documentation Center? The NVDC is tasked by the Coast Guard to be the office that takes care of maintaining all records of documented boats under the United States Coast Guard. The USCG is part of the military.
In simple terms, the National vessel documentation center is the government agency that issues the COD. They also track the history of the boat so that you can order a boat title abstract. The NVDC ensures all vessels either commercial or recreational vessels are duly registered in other to navigate the United States waterways.
What is a CG 1270? [Form CG-1270]
The CG 1270 is another name for the COD paper. In other words, CG-1270 is the code for the USCG Certificate of Documentation. Many of the forms at the NVDC have such numbering. It implies that a given vessel has been documented by the United States Coast Guard, shows the official number and owner info.
Requirement to have Certificate of Documentation on board
The person in command of a documented vessel must have on board that vessel the original Certificate of Documentation. There are fines and you could get in trouble of the coast guard boards your ship and does not see the proper vessel marking or the COD.
Replacement of Certificate of Documentation (COD) – What happens if I lost my COD documents?
As we know, the certificate of documentation is very vital to boat owners. What do you do when yours is missing or got stolen? Don’t panic, you can get a replacement for a lost COD document.
Once you notice your Certificate of Documentation is missing, just apply for a replacement using the form CG-1258. There is a $50 fee to get a replacement and the form can also be used to update the address of the managing owner. Replacement Certificates of Documentation will be re-issued using the original expiration date, and current date of issue.
The fee can be paid by checks or CG-7042 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. The documents may be mailed to the NVDC or sent via email to: NVDC.PDF.FILING@uscg.mil. Download the form here or here. This is different from the renewal form CG-1280.
How to make your USCG certificate of documentation valid for five years
Many vessel owners, get worried over the expiration of their certificate of documentation each year. It is now possible to have a 5 years renewal cycle.
As a boat owner, you can easily apply for a multi-year (5 Five) Certificate of Documentation but only if it is a recreational vessel and not on the initial documentation in the first year.
How and When to Renew your coast guard Certificate of Documentation
Undoubtedly, there are several reasons why you must keep your coast guard certificate of documentation renewed. You need COD to navigate international waterways, COD gives you financing since most lender sees a Certificate of Documentation as a Requirement for Preferred Mortgage, it guarantees ownership. Make sure to start the process 70 days before the expiry to give yourself enough time for processing. You will need renewal form CG-1280. You don’t want to send it after the expiry date as that will require a new form to reinstate the vessel. Remember that the coast guard will send you a notice of renewal.
Fees for the 5-year Certificate of Documentation Renewal
The cost and fees are fixed for five year renewals of documentation at $130. There are additional fees for exchanges and initial documentation. Please, use this link to find out the latest fees at the NVDC.
Temporary Certificates of Documentation (TCOD)
In rare occasions when the NVDC has a 4 month backlog on their applications, they might issue a letter Temporary Certificates of Documentation (TCOD) for recreational vessels while they process the backlog.
What happens if I don’t receive my COD?
Requesting a Duplicate Certificate of Documentation (COD) Due to Non-Receipt.
Customers have 90 days to notify NVDC of non-receipt of a COD. To allow for a reasonable time for delivery, do not consider a document lost and request a replacement until at least four weeks after issuance.
How can I lookup the COD issue date?
Use the PSIX search website to lookup your boat using the official number.
What do I need to do if my COD was lost in the mail?
Requests for duplicate CODs due to non-receipt must be accompanied by a signed statement from the owner with the proclamation: “No COD was received; address used at time of application has been verified and is still valid.” If an agent is involved, the statement must be signed by BOTH the agent and the owner and the agent CANNOT sign on behalf of the owner. Requests that do not include a signed statement from the owner will be deleted and will not receive a response.
Notifications received after the 90 day period will require customers to apply for a replacement via CG-1258 APPLICATION FOR INITIAL, EXCHANGE OR REPLACEMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION; REDOCUMENTATION, and include a $50.00 application fee.
What happens if I have missed the deadline to renew my vessel COD documentation?
Once you miss the deadline of your USCG Vessel Certificate of Documentation renewal, you have 30 days to send in the form for renewal. After that period, if you fail to submit the renewal application or it arrives 31 days after expiration, you will pay a late fee of $5 in addition to other applicable fees to reinstate the vessel’s documentation status. In other words, there is a reinstatement fee for failure to submit a renewal application after the 30 days of renewal grace period.
Deletion of a COD – How do you remove my vessel from the USCG Database?
The deletion of the Certificate of Documentation can only occur if a vessel owner or authorized agent requests a deletion. All you need to do is to fill out the form. Once you input the owner’s name and other necessary information, your application will be processed and your COD will be removed from the USCG database.
How do I transfer ownership of a vessel COD?
If you like to know how you can transfer the ownership of a vessel Certificate of Documentation to a new owner, please read our article on How to Transfer the Boat Ownership of a USCG Documented Vessel.
How do I find my USCG vessel documentation? – Search for a documented vessel
We have a free vessel documentation search tool that you can use any time lookup the vessel name or number.
Conclusion
We have explained what the Certificate of Documentation (COD) is and how to renew it in a timely fashion. Some people use brokers to renew and others do it themselves.
To get a chain of ownership and details about liens on a vessel’s history, make sure to order a Boat Abstract of title.
The USCG COD, also known as CG-1270 or Certificate of Documentation, holds significant importance for mariners and vessel owners. This documentation serves as evidence of vessel ownership, often required for sailing events, trade indicators, and coastwise registry. Whether you’re a yacht owner or a purchaser looking to engage in commerce, understanding the advantages of USCG COD is crucial. Recall, the COD is the ownership form that you have to show to a buyer. This is different from state titled boats in cases where you don’t have vessel financing or small boat.
The duties of a vessel owner or business administrator in relation to the USCG COD are to maintain the valid and active coast guard vessel documentation status. The owner must complete the CG-1270 accurately, providing all required content such as the vessel’s hull identification number, documentation number, and trade indicator. Additionally, instructions and resources provided by the Coast Guard outline the renewal procedures, including renewal documentation, renewal fees, and the renewal letter.
One of the unique aspects of the USCG COD is its role in trade and commerce. The documentation number serves as a key qualification, allowing vessels to engage in coastwise trade and fisheries. Registry Endorsements on the COD, such as fishery endorsements, further enhance a vessel’s ability to participate in specific industries. This comprehensive approach aligns with the Coast Guard’s commitment to promoting both safety and economic growth in maritime activities.
Completing the CG-1270 entails a process involving paperwork and payment methods. Owners can utilize verifiable platforms like Verisign or PayPal when submitting the vessel documentation payment form, streamlining the ownership transfer or exchange. This modern approach also minimizes paperwork, as the required forms are available as downloadable PDFs on the Coast Guard’s official website. This availability of online resources significantly contributes to a smoother and efficient process for vessel owners.
It’s important to note that the USCG COD isn’t without its penalties for non-compliance. Sellers and purchasers alike must be aware of the potential repercussions associated with incomplete or inaccurate documentation. To avoid these penalties, both parties must ensure the proper completion of the CG-1270 and adhere to the given instructions.
In conclusion, the USCG COD (CG-1270) is an integral aspect of vessel ownership and maritime commerce. From the definition of its role to the availability of resources and instructions, this documentation facilitates various maritime activities, ensuring proper vessel registration, documentation, and trade endorsements. Whether you’re a yacht owner, involved in fisheries, or engaged in sailing events, understanding the USCG COD’s significance and completing it accurately are essential steps in the maritime world.