Documentation Renewal

[Comodave]

You can choose from 1 to 5 years.

 

[slowgoesit]

Dave, How soon before your documentation expires can you renew? Ours expires end of January 2021, Can I renew now?

Edit: Answered my own question. Per the website, if you renew more than 60 days from the expiration date, a new renewal date is established, and you "lose" part of the remaining paid days in the current documentation period. Perfectly acceptable to us to renew in probably August since we are probably going to be gone from the house (and unable to get the renewed documentation form) after about 1 Nov . . .

 

[Comodave]

Correct. It will just reset the renewal date so you will loose some time before you have to renew again.

 

[slowgoesit]

I expect to begin receiving my scam renewal notices for renewing our documentation sometime around September or October of this year . . . .

 

[Comodave]

I was accidentally directed to one of those websites. It looked very real. But they wanted $75 per year to renew. So I started looking to see if the charge had actually gone up. That is when I found the new website and was able to do the renewal for $26.

 

[slowgoesit]

I can't figure out any way to change our mailing address . . . . Anyone have success doing that?

 

[Chuck34]

I can't figure out any way to change our mailing address . . . . Anyone have success doing that?

Pretty sure you need to fill out the CG-1280 form the CG mails to you as a reminder and mail it in with your check.

 

[slowgoesit]

Pretty sure you need to fill out the CG-1280 form the CG mails to you as a reminder and mail it in with your check.

Thanks Chuck, I'll wait till I get that and hopefully it will have a place to change my address . . . .of course it will be sent to our 3 year old address . . . . ARRRrrgh!

 

[Chuck34]

Thanks Chuck, I'll wait till I get that and hopefully it will have a place to change my address . . . .of course it will be sent to our 3 year old address . . . . ARRRrrgh!

Pretty sure you can download a blank CG-1280 as well. No need to wait for snail mail.

 

[Ken E.]

Unless you're dealing with USCG National Vessel Documentation Center in Falling Waters, West Virginia, you've got an agent, legit or otherwise.

 

[Chuck34]

Just an update to an old thread. I just renewed my annual documentation. It is much more complicated now. As of 1 June you have to use a new government website and create an account on it. It is called eStorefront. There is a link on the NVDC home page. Once you get logged in then you have to search the database for your vessel. Then fill out some blanks. Then in order to proceed you have to “Add vessel”. If you don’t then you can not proceed to the next page. Then eventually you get to the credit card information and can finish. Much more involved and more difficult than the old way.

Thanks for the head’s up…good to know. I just got my renewal notice in the mail a couple days ago. I’m thinking it will be lots easier to just put a check in the mail vs jumping through the hoops you describe.

 

[Comodave]

I can't figure out any way to change our mailing address . . . . Anyone have success doing that?

I think I saw a place in the online renewal process that asked if you wanted to update your address. I think…. It has been a couple of hours since I did it and the memory only lasts so long.

 

[slowgoesit]

I did my 5 year Vessel Documentation online on 9 June 2025, paid with a credit card. Also updated our physical and mailing address at the same time, no extra charge.
I received my new Documentation in the mail, USPS, today 17 June. 7 Days! That's like a new record!

 

[Chuck34]

I did my 5 year Vessel Documentation online on 9 June 2025, paid with a credit card. Also updated our physical and mailing address at the same time, no extra charge.
I received my new Documentation in the mail, USPS, today 17 June. 7 Days! That's like a new record!

I’m hoping you were on the real CG website and only paid $130 for that 5 year renewal.

 

[slowgoesit]

I’m hoping you were on the real CG website and only paid $130 for that 5 year renewal.

Absolutely! $130.00 to my Credit Card.

 

[Chuck34]

Thanks for the head’s up…good to know. I just got my renewal notice in the mail a couple days ago. I’m thinking it will be lots easier to just put a check in the mail vs jumping through the hoops you describe.

Mailed in my check about 8 days ago. Got my document in yesterday’s mail. I know for a long time (maybe still are) they were pretty slow on new documentations, but they have always been quick on renewals.

 

[Comodave]

The renewal part is automated so it goes quickly. The initial documentation has to have a person do the work so it sometimes seems to take forever. But when I would call and ask about the initial one they would give me an accurate time for delivery.

 

[slowgoesit]

Dave, it can't be TOTALLY automated. I mean, seriously, how does a machine lick all those envelopes?!?

 

[Comodave]

I think that there are machines that can do that. Otherwise how do telemarketers send out piles of crap? Not sure but the actual renewal process is automated. I do mine online so I doubt that any person actually sees it. Who knows?