The Bureau of Ordnance's Vessel Register, first published in 1942 and retitled Naval Vessel Register, was combined with the Ships Data Book under the Bureau of Ships in 1959.

Since 1962, the NVR has been maintained and published by the NAVSEA Shipbuilding Support Office (NAVSHIPSO) of the Naval Sea Systems Command. Referred to by Congress in the statutes of , the NVR is maintained as directed by U.S. Navy Regulations,