Address on File with the Coast Guard: CG Documentation

Owning a documented vessel with the U.S. Coast Guard comes with responsibilities beyond just enjoying the open water. One key responsibility is keeping your vessel documentation current, including maintaining an accurate address on file with the Coast Guard. Life can bring changes—a move to a new home, switching business addresses, or other important shifts that affect where you receive official correspondence. In these cases, the Coast Guard Documentation Change of Address form is required.

This form is the designated way to update your official vessel ownership address. It cannot be substituted with other forms, such as those used for renewal or reinstatement of documentation. When life changes, making sure your address information stays up to date prevents interruptions in communication and ensures compliance with federal regulations.

Why You Might Need a Coast Guard Documentation Change of Address Form

There are multiple scenarios where submitting this form is necessary. Most commonly, the need arises when you:

Relocate your residence or place of business.
Switch your mailing address for vessel-related documents.
Update your contact information following a legal name change or change in ownership structure.
Change the address on file for co-owners of the vessel.
Adjust your address from a personal to a corporate entity, or vice versa.

Regardless of the situation, updating your address on file promptly keeps your documentation accurate. The Coast Guard relies on this information to send you important notifications such as renewal reminders, notices about vessel compliance, or other legal communications.

How Vessel Documentation Online LLC Makes Changing Your Address Easy

The process of updating your vessel’s address may seem straightforward, but dealing with official government paperwork can be challenging. Vessel Documentation Online LLC offers an online portal that simplifies the entire experience, making it accessible from anywhere.

Our platform provides immediate access to the official Coast Guard Documentation Change of Address form. You don’t need to hunt through government websites or wait for physical copies to arrive. Instead, you complete the form online with clear instructions guiding you step-by-step.

Submitting your change of address through our service ensures:

The form is filled out correctly the first time, minimizing delays.
You can securely upload any required documents or identification.
Our support team is ready to assist with any questions or issues.
You receive confirmation and tracking updates on your submission status.

By managing the process through Vessel Documentation Online LLC, vessel owners avoid common pitfalls, reduce the risk of errors, and experience faster processing times.

Why the Change of Address Form Is the Only Way to Update Your Address

It’s important to note that the Coast Guard does not allow address updates through forms meant for renewing or reinstating vessel documentation. The Change of Address form is specifically designed for this purpose, ensuring that updates are handled in a consistent and secure manner.

Using other forms to try to update your address can result in processing delays or your address not being updated at all. This can cause you to miss crucial communications, potentially leading to compliance issues or missed deadlines.

The form clearly identifies the vessel, the documented owner(s), and the new address. This specificity helps maintain a clear and legal record of the change, supporting the Coast Guard’s responsibility to keep vessel information accurate nationwide.

What Information Do You Need to Provide on the Change of Address Form?

When preparing to submit a Coast Guard Documentation Change of Address form, be ready to include several important pieces of information:

The official Coast Guard documentation number of your vessel.
The vessel’s name exactly as it appears on the documentation.
The current address listed on the vessel documentation.
Your new address, including street, city, state, and ZIP code.
The full name(s) of the documented owner(s).

Ensuring all information is accurate and matches the official records is critical to avoid processing delays. Vessel Documentation Online LLC helps review your submission before sending it to the Coast Guard, providing peace of mind that your form is complete and correct.

Timing and Processing of a Change of Address Request

Once your form is submitted, the Coast Guard will review and process the update. Processing times can vary, generally taking several weeks. Promptly submitting your change of address as soon as your location changes helps avoid missed mail or notifications during the transition.

Choosing to file your form through Vessel Documentation Online LLC helps accelerate the submission process. Our electronic filing reduces delays that occur when mailing paper forms and allows you to track your request online.

What Happens if You Don’t Update Your Address?

Failing to submit a Coast Guard Documentation Change of Address form after moving or changing your mailing information can lead to significant issues. These include:

Missing critical notices regarding your vessel documentation.
Failure to receive renewal reminders, which could risk your documentation expiring.
Potential legal or regulatory complications.
Increased difficulty in proving ownership or receiving official correspondence.

It’s vital to keep your address on file up to date to ensure smooth communication with the Coast Guard and fulfill your legal responsibilities.

Coast Guard Documentation Change of Address: For When Life Changes