Lost Your Boat Paperwork? Finding Past Vessel Registration For Your USCG MMC Application.

For anyone applying for a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) license, proving your sea service is critical. If you owned a vessel and have since lost the registration paperwork, it can feel like a dead end. The good news is, you can get the proof you need from the state or federal agency that originally issued it. This article will walk you through the process of tracking down those records.

Why Official Records Are a Must

Your application for a USCG license requires official, verifiable documentation for every day of sea service you claim. When you owned the vessel you're claiming service on, the only way to satisfy this requirement is to provide acceptable proof of ownership. 

Without this official proof of ownership, the USCG will not credit your sea service, and your application will be delayed or rejected. It's why this detective work is so important.

But I am sure I threw it all away

You might not have been thinking you would apply for a USCG captains license when you threw out your old boat files. Now you don’t have anything that shows you owned the boat. While it may be impossible to dig up a copy of the bill of sale or proof of insurance, if the vessel was state or federally registered, you should still be in luck. 

The Detective Work: State vs. Federal

The process for getting your records depends on how your boat was registered: at the state level or with the federal government.

State-Registered Vessels

Most recreational boats under 5 net tons are registered with a state agency. This could be your state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or Department of Fish and Game.

1. Find the Right Agency: The first step is to figure out which agency handled vessel registration in your state during the time you owned the boat. A quick search for "[Your State] boat registration records" will lead you to the correct department.
2. Request Records by Your Name: Because you are the owner, you can often request a complete record of all vessels and vehicles that were registered to you in that state. This is a key advantage, as you typically don't need a Hull Identification Number (HIN) or registration number right away.
3. Submit Your Request: Look for a section on the agency's website for "forms," "records," or "copies." You will likely need to fill out a specific form, provide a copy of your personal identification (such as a driver's license), and pay a small fee. This official record will show your name as the owner and the dates the vessel was registered to you.

Once you submit the request, the agency will search its archives and provide you with a copy of your registration history, which is the official documentation you need to submit with your record of sea service (CG-719S form).

Federally Documented Vessels

If your vessel was over 5 net tons and was used for commercial purposes, it may have been "documented" with the U.S. Coast Guard. This is a separate process from state registration.

1. Request an Abstract of Title: The official record for a federally documented vessel is called an Abstract of Title. This document contains the full ownership history, including any liens or mortgages.
2. Submit Your Request: You can request an Abstract of Title directly from the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). The process involves submitting a form and a fee. You will need the vessel's name, official number, or HIN. The NVDC will then provide you with the official documentation required by the USCG.

Don't let lost paperwork stand in the way of your USCG captain's license. Taking the time to get these official records is a crucial step in a successful license application.

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