US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation Rule Change
By: MIASF Staff
Date posted: Apr 28, 2021 Wed
A recent rule change extends the validity of a US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to every 5 years instead of just one. The move was the result of Coast Guard cost-saving efforts and requirements set forth in the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018. Formerly, documentation was $26 per year and boaters could select the number of years, from one to five. The new five-year documentation cost for is fixed at $130. Additional fees apply for initial documentation as well as exchanges. The Coast Guard will not issue refunds if an owner chooses to cancel documentation before its five-year expiration or if a vessel is sold during the renewal period. Documented vessels must also be a minimum of 5 net tons, which is about the size of a 26-foot boat.