Certificate of Documentation Renewal

Jaybeaux

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2016
2,024
Upper Potomac River
Boat Info
2006 Sea Ray 48
Naught On Call
Engines
Cummins QSC-540s with V-Drives
11 KW Onan Genset
I want to give a huge shout out to the Department of Homeland Security/United States Coast Guard/National Vessel Documentation Center. The efficiency, ease, and speed with which they processed my renewal was absolutely amazing.

On Sunday morning, November 4th, I opened my snail mail letter which contained form CG-1240, which is the renewal application. They also instructed me that I can "renew on-line" via the pay.gov website. You fill out the CG-1240 online, you can pay via credit card, and here is the big payoff.......I received my newed Certificate of Documentation in the US Postal Service mail yesterday afternoon at my home!

Outstanding service!

Jaybeaux

PS....Don't fall for the offers for 3rd party firms to handle your re-documentation needs. It is only $26 if you go straight to the NVDC.
 
+1 on the don’t fall for third party re-documentation. Took me about 3 minutes before I realized what was going on the first time I received one.

I just lost my drivers license, I was able to get a new one from FL DMV completely online. Took less than 7 days to show up. Never had to go in person.
 
+1 on the don’t fall for third party re-documentation. Took me about 3 minutes before I realized what was going on the first time I received one.

I just lost my drivers license, I was able to get a new one from FL DMV completely online. Took less than 7 days to show up. Never had to go in person.

My friends who were smart enough to migrate to Florida all rave about the FL DMV efficiency. CT DMV moves at the speed of a slug in spite of itself!
 
Not to rain on everyone's parade, but remember these renewals used to be free, and there is no decernable benefit to having the certificate. Agree the online experience works.
 
I don't have any problem giving the CG $26 a year so they can do their job on our waters.
Purpose of documentation is to help track mortgages and ownership, i.e., financial. Does not effect search and rescue ops funding, and adds to the paperwork tracking workload of the agency. Used to be free and now the government charges fees that go up with time. No decernable benefit to you.
 
Enjoy the pain-free life on the front end. I recently lived through the process of terminating documentation on the boat I now own. I didn't receive the release from USCG until 8 weeks after the form was sent it.
 
Purpose of documentation is to help track mortgages and ownership, i.e., financial. Does not effect search and rescue ops funding, and adds to the paperwork tracking workload of the agency. Used to be free and now the government charges fees that go up with time. No decernable benefit to you.

But if you are not documented, then you are registered in your state. How much does your state registration cost per year? I'm sure it varies from state to state.
 
But if you are not documented, then you are registered in your state. How much does your state registration cost per year? I'm sure it varies from state to state.

You still need a state registration even if you are documented. So you're paying both. You would, however, avoid state title costs...
 
so what if you just stop paying the yearly documentation?
 
You still need a state registration even if you are documented. So you're paying both. You would, however, avoid state title costs...

Documented boat in Virginia do not need to be registered with the State (Commonwealth), so there is no "paying of both".
 
PS....Don't fall for the offers for 3rd party firms to handle your re-documentation needs. It is only $26 if you go straight to the NVDC.[/QUOTE]

I did fall for the 3rd party, was able to pay upfront for three years at $75.00. Received documentation ok but have to send email for new doc each year.
 
so what if you just stop paying the yearly documentation?
Mortgage lender will likely go after the entire balance of the loan, or you can pay the non renewal penalty if allowed.
 
Is there a source for this assertion?

Preferred ship mortgages require documentation. The requirements are spelled out in your preferred mortgage contract if you finance the purchase using that type of instrument. Look for it in your fine print. Or Google preferred ships mortgages and read all about them.

Certificates of Documentation renewals that go beyond the 30 day grace period require addional fees to reinstate the documentation of the vessel. The CG's web site explains the rules. If you let your documentation expire while you still have a preferred mortgage you are in violation of your lender terms. Getting the breaches cured requires communication with the documentation center which does not answer its phone (endless phone trees) and the mortgage lender. Lenders have adopted phones trees as well. Have you tried speaking with a person at a bank recently? It is not easy.

You are better off keeping your documentation current and remaining in compliance with your mortgage terms so your loan does not get called.
 
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When I purchased my boat the seller had the documentation with him. While closing the bill with the local marina who assisted with haul out and some maintenance, I mentioned I had a question on the documentation process. "Hold on and I'll get the documentation expert who handles that" he said. Doc guy says he doesn't know the details bc they use a 3rd party... Hold on we'll call. Get on the call and they wanted $500 to do the transfer. I caught the woman off guard asking her about the specific form codes. She reluctantly answered and the doc guy hung up and said, "Whelp I guess you don't need my help!" and stormed out of the office and slammed the front door. Lol. It was comical!
 
Before the online service became available, my mailed in renewal was somehow lost in the mail or by the CG. I did not think too much about the glitch because my certificate renews in November and the boat is hauled so no need to worry about a current certificate until spring time. Finally noticed it did not show up so attempted contact CG for advice and discovered they do not staff the phone with a person. Went to the CG station the in our town for advice and got little help but eventually an email address to try. That eventually worked. Canceled payment on the first check, cut a new one and then sent an overnight mailer with a new form to reinstate the certificate, etc. whole thing cost $26 for renewal, $18 to overnight and get a signature, plus a late renewal fee. Ended up spending about $100 because of errors I did not make. Plus, spent two or three hours dealing with bureaucrats who provided almost no help and could care less. The online service improves the process, but remains an annual reminder of how we must continue to pay our government for things that result in little or no benefit.
 
I dunno, who's really the bad guy? Is it the banks that require certification or is it the USCG for doing the work?
I understand the need for processes that promote lending at resonable rates. Without them commerce would be impeded. However, when the systems depend on an agency that primarily performs services that are related to saving lives, interdiction of drugs and public safety, servicing mortgage lenders seems to be an afterthought. At least it is when the process has a hiccup. If the CG is going to "do the work" it needs to be responsive to citizens when there is a work related question. This problem is certainly not confined to the agency. Most governmental agencies are non responsive. Social Security is a notable exception.
 

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