We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Manage Cookies
Resources for Businesses My BBB
Share
Business Profile

Ship Register

U.S. Vessel Documentation, Inc.

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Ship Register.

This business has 1 alert

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for U.S. Vessel Documentation, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

Find a Location

U.S. Vessel Documentation, Inc. has 2 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Please enter a valid location.

    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 24 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 7 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/11/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      This company presents itself as a "portal for the **** National Documentation Center", and uses deceptive logo (resembling ****) and other terms/language to disguise that they are NOT ****, but instead a private outfit, overcharging for a vessel documentation serice.

      Business Response

      Date: 10/16/2024

      Good Day,

      Please see attached our response for complaint #22412643.

      Thank you 

      Customer Answer

      Date: 10/17/2024

       Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 22412643, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/08/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I googled release vessel documentation and this company pulled on my search. I called the 800 # to inquire how I can request a vessel release form. The person I spoke with acted like he was from the Coast Guard, even their logo is misleading. I trusted that the person on the other the end of the phone was a representative of the ***** I was told that there was an application fee of $125 plus $75 for expedite. I paid the person not knowing that they are setup to full people and take advantage of them. They are privately own taking advantage of people. I would like a full refund in the amount of $200.00 from this privately own company.

      Business Response

      Date: 08/12/2024

      Good Day,

      Please see attached our response to Claim #********.

      Thank you 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/17/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I went online to check to see if I needed to renew my Documentation and after requestiong tha Application I foound that I did not need to renew as I had two years left. I immediatly responded to ask that they cance the request with in about an hour. They charged me on my Credit Card $600 instead of the $75 renewal charge and refuse to refund my card. They have done nothing and notified me that the process is inactive.

      Business Response

      Date: 07/23/2024

      Good Day,

      Please see the attached response to complaint #********.

      Thank you

      Customer Answer

      Date: 07/25/2024

       I am rejecting this response because: 

      The Company response is inaccurate.  They stated "they could not stop the process" which is untrue.

      On 6/18/2024 I received an email from ************** writing the following; 

      "Dear Managing Owner,
      At this time, records indicate that the charge associated with your application was disputed with your financial institution. Because the funds have already been deducted as a result of this dispute, there is no application active at this time."

      Also within an hour of asking for the application I cancelled the request and on the application I wrote under comments that I was unsure if I needed the request.  One would thin the Company would look at that comment as see it was not needed.

      I have also notice numerous complaints against this Company citing the same issues.  I will be in contact with some of those folks with the same problem unresolved.

       

       


      Business Response

      Date: 07/31/2024

      Good Day,

      Please see the attached response to second request.

      Thank you 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/01/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Company posing as Coast Guard plenty of other people on this site have listed same scam , want refund of ***** they need to be shut down

      Business Response

      Date: 06/12/2024

      Good Day,

      Please see the attached response to the complaint we received on behalf of ***************************** with ID ********.

      Thank you 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/26/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On January 10, 2024, the previous owner of a boat I purchased forwarded to me via text a copy of a letter entitled "Final Notice **** Certificate of Documentation Expiration Notice." As a new boat owner, I legitimately believed that this was a bill I needed to pay so I responded to the notice and paid to National Documentation Portal $837 for a five-year term of the title with the Coast Guard.Within a few days of payment, I asked for a refund from a company representative and did not receive any response. I next tried disputing the charge with my credit card company and did not succeed with that dispute. I have paid $837 to this company and feel I am *********** a refund as the "service" they offered was not completed and actually was not even necessary. I was preyed upon as a new boat owner and was deceived into thinking I was dealing the the U.S. Coast Guard. I should have looked at the BBB website before dealing with this company as I see it has had numerous complaints regarding this exact type of activity. I will also be contacting the **** to see if I can file a complaint with them also.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/05/2024

      Good Day,

       

      Please see our response to the BBB complaint #********.  We apologize for the delay but we never received the first letter.

       

      Thank you,

      *************************

      Customer Answer

      Date: 04/08/2024

       I am rejecting this response because:

      I feel the initial contact from this business was misleading to me and caused me to enter into a transaction with them that was unnecessary in the first place.  Because of that, I feel I am *********** a refund of my $837 as I received no services from this company and in fact there were no services even needed.  

      Here is what I explained previously to the company.  

      In 2023, I purchased a salmon fishing boat for my business using a broker who filed all the necessary paperwork for vessel registration transferring with the proper Coast Guard and *************** government department.  On January 10, 2024, the previous owner forwarded to me via text a copy of a letter entitled "Final Notice USCG Certificate of Documentation Expiration Notice."  As a new boat owner, I legitimately believed that this was a bill I needed to pay so I contacted your company, the National Documentation Portal, and paid $837 for a five-year term of the title with the Coast Guard.  When I was contacted by the business that they needed more information to complete my transaction, I reached out to the broker who I purchased the boat through and was notified by her that all necessary paperwork and payments had been made. I was also told by her that the Coast Guard doesn't even offer a five-year term of title.  I have not yet verified this with the ***** though.  

      My next step was to respond to the representative from National Documentation Portal who had emailed me wanting more information, ***********************, asking for a refund.  Because I never received any response from ***********************, I felt I had been defrauded and reached out to the **** of America on January 20, 2024, to dispute the transaction.  On February 26, 2024, I was notified by **** of America that my dispute had been denied.  As a result, I paid my credit card bill in full on March 2, 2024.  I had gone the route of disputing the transaction with my credit card because I felt National Documentation Portal had ceased communication with me on this issue.  

      Now the full amount of $837 has been paid to this business and I am requesting to have that refunded.  It is my feeling that even if the business has a "no refund" policy, if the initial contact was false and misleading, then the business should not be able to keep my money and I should be *********** a refund.  

      Thank you,  

      ***************************

       


    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/02/2023

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Received a call from a **** ***** claiming he was the US Coast Guard. (Fraud?!) The Coast Guard later said on their phone help that this person is miss representing himself as Coast Guard apparently to extort excessive fees for registration renewals. He further stated that I could only do a multi year renewal vs. 1 year and that I had to register my private personal boat as "Commercial Vessel" As a result they charged me $615; late fee, Commercial fee, and multi year fee. I never received any documents, and Mr. ***** never returned and phone calls or emails. Their web and phone loop back to uncontactable answer links. They have now sent a "Notice OF Claim Of Lien.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/12/2023

      Good day,

      Please see the attached response to the complaint received for #********.

       

      Thank you 

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/15/2023

       I am rejecting this response because

      These folks said that they were from The Coast Guard not a 3rd party firm.

      They further indicated that 5 year was the minimum.  The Coast Guard real site shows a 1 year minimum.

      They also said that I needed a Commercial Documentation although mine is a private recreational boat.

      I never received any documents, emails or other acknowledgment, that they said I would receive.

      I subsequently got the actual 1 year document from The Coast Guard gov which I did pay for.  Why would I have needed to do that if I had received these documents.

      Although their response letter has some "all sales final" wording in it, I don't don't think an agreement made from misrepresentation of the firms contractor vs Government status,  the correct duration fee, and the promise of receiving acknowledgment and documents

       

       

       prsonal 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/01/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I received a letter from this company, which had the appearance tone of being an affiliated department with the US Coat Guard and federal government. They claimed a 5-year renewal for the USCG vessel documentation would be $350. I submitted the transaction and then, after further investigation, realized I was duped. The cost of renewal is $130. I contacted the business immediately (within 12 hours) to cancel the transaction. They said no and that I had no choice but to accept their dupe. I disputed the charge and my credit company and the merchant's bank sided with my case -- case is closed, the merchant lost. The merchant now is sending threatening emails and certified letters, demanding payment of $540 -- the original $350 plus administrative costs. They also are threatening to ruin my credit and transfer my case to a collections agency, while putting a lien on my boat. This company is a horrible scam and the owners should face criminal penalties.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/04/2023

      Good Day,

      Please see the attached response to the complaint received for #********.

      Thank you 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/16/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On or about Feb 4, 2023 I received an official looking letter from what appeared to be an official USCG source ( see attached letter). ********, I did not see it was not from the USCG and went to the website given in the letter when I was told that a new law required a 5-year registration for $350.00 I was scammed on a Friday and call my Visa card company to report the fraud. They told me to contact the merchant which I did on the following Monday but they refused to to issue a credit and threatened to hurt my credit rating.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/22/2023

      Hello,

      Please see the attached response to the complaint received #1*****14.\

      Thank you. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/28/2022

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      About forty days ago I received what looked like an official notice from the Coast Guard stating the I needed to update my documentation for my boat. I went through the online application for this and only a few hours after I sent in the application and made payment I began having second thought: Why wouldn’t the coast guard allow me to renew for a single year as I’ve done in the past, why did it cost so much more this year. After rereading what was sent to me I realized this was not from the coast guard. I immediately called my credit card company but they said I had to wait two more days to put a stop payment on the transaction. I called the credit card company back but the NDP (National Documentation Portal) already had my funds. They did say they would contact NDP and ask if they would volunteer to return my funds. I was shocked a few weeks later when the credit card company called and said NDP did return the funds. A week after that news I received a certified letter from NDC sayin they demanded the original payment of $375 plus $150 administrative fee plus $15 dispute fee for a grand total of $540.00. They say if I don't pay by 21 day after receiving this later they will turn me over to a dept collection agency and put a lien on my boat( they included a copy of the lien with the demand letter. I would be happy to just pay for the original cost of the documentation but now this is getting crazy. Please try and stop these people from scamming and threatening people. I’m not sure what to do now except to reach out to a attorney.

      Business Response

      Date: 12/02/2022

      Good day,

      Please see the attached response in regard to the complaint received for #184***26.

      Thank you

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/10/2022

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I will keep my complaint short. All you read here is accurate. I work for a Marine Contractor and we have a small fleet of vessels that we carry CODs on. I started here a little over 6 months ago and just realized we have been historically fallen prey to this scam, costing us thousands of dollars in deceptive renewals. vesselrenewal.us is a scam, as is their other scamming website nvdcrenewal.us. If you look closely, you will see their logos are nearly identical. They have their own unique web pages and email addresses, but share the same phone numbers and fax numbers. We have even fallen victim to using BOTH to renew the same vessel within the same year. As mentioned, all CODs, renewals and initials, are way more expensive and then when they cause overlap (on purpose) they reap the cash. After reading many of these complaints, I don't expect any financial recovery. It is equally disappointing that the USCG is not putting a stop to this.

      Business Response

      Date: 11/15/2022

      Good Day,

      Please see that attached response regarding complaint #183**960.

      Thank you 

    U.S. Vessel Documentation, Inc. is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

    To become accredited, a business must agree to BBB Standards for Trust and pass BBB's vetting process.

    Why choose a BBB Accredited Business?

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.