diff --git a/charts/shipyard/values.yaml b/charts/shipyard/values.yaml
index 47535832..38f4c564 100644
--- a/charts/shipyard/values.yaml
+++ b/charts/shipyard/values.yaml
@@ -430,6 +430,10 @@ conf:
       # and validates.
       deployment_strategy_schema: shipyard/DeploymentStrategy/v1
     validations:
+      # Control the severity of the deployment-version document validation
+      # that Shipyard performs during create configdocs.
+      # Possible values are Skip, Info, Warning, and Error
+      deployment_version_create: Skip
       # Control the severity of the deployment-version document validation
       # that Shipyard performs during commit configdocs.
       # Possible values are Skip, Info, Warning, and Error
diff --git a/doc/source/_static/shipyard.conf.sample b/doc/source/_static/shipyard.conf.sample
index 8a07171c..a4fe7652 100644
--- a/doc/source/_static/shipyard.conf.sample
+++ b/doc/source/_static/shipyard.conf.sample
@@ -441,8 +441,18 @@
 # From shipyard_api
 #
 
+# Control the severity of the deployment-version validation during create
+# configdocs. (string value)
+# Possible values:
+# Skip - Skip the validation altogether
+# Info - Print an Info level message if the validation fails
+# Warning - Print a Warning level message if the validation fails
+# Error - Return an error when the validation fails and prevent the configdocs
+# create from proceeding
+#deployment_version_create = Skip
+
 # Control the severity of the deployment-version validation validation during
-# commit configdocs.  (string value)
+# commit configdocs. (string value)
 # Possible values:
 # Skip - Skip the validation altogether
 # Info - Print an Info level message if the validation fails
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/etc/shipyard/shipyard.conf.sample b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/etc/shipyard/shipyard.conf.sample
index 8a07171c..a4fe7652 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/etc/shipyard/shipyard.conf.sample
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/etc/shipyard/shipyard.conf.sample
@@ -441,8 +441,18 @@
 # From shipyard_api
 #
 
+# Control the severity of the deployment-version validation during create
+# configdocs. (string value)
+# Possible values:
+# Skip - Skip the validation altogether
+# Info - Print an Info level message if the validation fails
+# Warning - Print a Warning level message if the validation fails
+# Error - Return an error when the validation fails and prevent the configdocs
+# create from proceeding
+#deployment_version_create = Skip
+
 # Control the severity of the deployment-version validation validation during
-# commit configdocs.  (string value)
+# commit configdocs. (string value)
 # Possible values:
 # Skip - Skip the validation altogether
 # Info - Print an Info level message if the validation fails
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/conf/config.py b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/conf/config.py
index 8a5bf4cc..341cb539 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/conf/config.py
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/conf/config.py
@@ -330,11 +330,26 @@ SECTIONS = [
         name='validations',
         title='Validation Configurations',
         options=[
+            cfg.StrOpt(
+                'deployment_version_create',
+                default='Skip',
+                help=('Control the severity of the deployment-version '
+                      'validation during create configdocs.'),
+                ignore_case=True,
+                choices=[('Skip', 'Skip the validation altogether'),
+                         ('Info', 'Print an Info level message if the '
+                                  'validation fails'),
+                         ('Warning', 'Print a Warning level message if the '
+                                     'validation fails'),
+                         ('Error', 'Return an error when the validation fails '
+                                   'and prevent the configdocs create from '
+                                   'proceeding')]
+            ),
             cfg.StrOpt(
                 'deployment_version_commit',
                 default='Skip',
                 help=('Control the severity of the deployment-version '
-                      'validation validation during commit configdocs. '),
+                      'validation validation during commit configdocs.'),
                 ignore_case=True,
                 choices=[('Skip', 'Skip the validation altogether'),
                          ('Info', 'Print an Info level message if the '
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/configdocs/configdocs_api.py b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/configdocs/configdocs_api.py
index ac39f0d5..998aa787 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/configdocs/configdocs_api.py
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/configdocs/configdocs_api.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from shipyard_airflow.control.api_lock import (api_lock, ApiLockType)
 from shipyard_airflow.control.base import BaseResource
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers import configdocs_helper
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers.configdocs_helper import (
-    ConfigdocsHelper)
+    ConfigdocsHelper, add_messages_to_validation_status)
 from shipyard_airflow.errors import ApiError
 
 CONF = cfg.CONF
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ VERSION_VALUES = ['buffer',
                   'committed',
                   'last_site_action',
                   'successful_site_action']
+DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC = {'name': CONF.document_info.deployment_version_name,
+                       'schema': CONF.document_info.deployment_version_schema}
 
 
 class ConfigDocsStatusResource(BaseResource):
@@ -155,17 +157,57 @@ class ConfigDocsResource(BaseResource):
         return helper.get_collection_docs(version, collection_id,
                                           cleartext_secrets)
 
+    def _validate_deployment_version(self, helper, document_data):
+        """
+        Validate that the received documents include a deployment version doc.
+        This function should only be called if needed, and will not do any
+        checking to see if shipyard is configured to skip this check.
+        Return True if the deployment version doc is present, False otherwise.
+        """
+        LOG.info("Validating deployment data")
+        LOG.debug("Searching for schema: %s and name: %s",
+                  DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['schema'], DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['name'])
+        return helper.check_for_document(document_data,
+                                         DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['name'],
+                                         DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['schema'])
+
     def post_collection(self,
                         helper,
                         collection_id,
                         document_data,
                         buffer_mode_param=None,
                         empty_collection=False):
-        """
-        Ingest the collection after checking preconditions
-        """
+        """Ingest the collection after checking preconditions"""
+        extra_messages = {'warning': [], 'info': []}
+        validation_status = None
         buffer_mode = ConfigdocsHelper.get_buffer_mode(buffer_mode_param)
 
+        # Validate that a deployment version document was provided, unless we
+        # were told to skip this check
+        ver_validation_cfg = CONF.validations.deployment_version_create.lower()
+        if empty_collection or ver_validation_cfg == 'skip':
+            LOG.debug('Skipping deployment version document validation')
+        else:
+            if not self._validate_deployment_version(helper, document_data):
+                title = 'Deployment version document missing from collection'
+                error_msg = ('Expected document to be present with schema: {} '
+                             'and name: {}').format(
+                    DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['schema'],
+                    DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['name'])
+
+                if ver_validation_cfg in ['info', 'warning']:
+                    extra_messages[ver_validation_cfg].append('{}. {}'.format(
+                        title, error_msg))
+                else:  # Error
+                    raise ApiError(
+                        title=title,
+                        description=('Collection rejected due to missing '
+                                     'deployment data document'),
+                        status=falcon.HTTP_400,
+                        error_list=[{'message': error_msg}],
+                        retry=False,
+                    )
+
         if helper.is_buffer_valid_for_bucket(collection_id, buffer_mode):
             buffer_revision = helper.add_collection(collection_id,
                                                     document_data)
@@ -190,7 +232,8 @@ class ConfigDocsResource(BaseResource):
                     retry=False,
                 )
             else:
-                return helper.get_deckhand_validation_status(buffer_revision)
+                validation_status = helper.get_deckhand_validation_status(
+                    buffer_revision)
         else:
             raise ApiError(
                 title='Invalid collection specified for buffer',
@@ -205,6 +248,13 @@ class ConfigDocsResource(BaseResource):
                 retry=False,
             )
 
+        for level, messages in extra_messages.items():
+            if len(messages):
+                add_messages_to_validation_status(validation_status,
+                                                  messages,
+                                                  level)
+        return validation_status
+
 
 class CommitConfigDocsResource(BaseResource):
     """
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/helpers/configdocs_helper.py b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/helpers/configdocs_helper.py
index b8b86e2a..01e94ce1 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/helpers/configdocs_helper.py
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/shipyard_airflow/control/helpers/configdocs_helper.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ bucket for Shipyard
 import enum
 import logging
 import threading
+import yaml
 
 import falcon
 from oslo_config import cfg
@@ -57,25 +58,21 @@ ROLLBACK_COMMIT = 'rollback_commit'
 
 
 class BufferMode(enum.Enum):
-    """
-    Enumeration of the valid values for BufferMode
-    """
+    """Enumeration of the valid values for BufferMode"""
     REJECTONCONTENTS = 'rejectoncontents'
     APPEND = 'append'
     REPLACE = 'replace'
 
 
 class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
-    """
-    ConfigdocsHelper provides a layer to represent the buffer and committed
+    """ConfigdocsHelper provides a layer to represent the buffer and committed
     versions of design documents.
     A new configdocs_helper is intended to be used for each invocation of the
     service.
     """
 
     def __init__(self, context):
-        """
-        Sets up this Configdocs helper with the supplied
+        """Sets up this Configdocs helper with the supplied
         request context
         """
         self.deckhand = DeckhandClient(context.request_id,
@@ -125,9 +122,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         return True
 
     def is_collection_in_buffer(self, collection_id):
-        """
-        Returns if the collection is represented in the buffer
-        """
+        """Returns if the collection is represented in the buffer"""
         if self.is_buffer_empty():
             return False
 
@@ -152,8 +147,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
                 retry=False, )
 
     def is_buffer_valid_for_bucket(self, collection_id, buffermode):
-        """
-        Indicates if the buffer as it currently is, may be written to
+        """Indicates if the buffer as it currently is, may be written to
         for the specified collection, based on the buffermode.
         """
         # can always write if buffer is empty.
@@ -180,6 +174,52 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
                 self.deckhand.rollback(committed_rev_id)
             return True
 
+    def parse_received_doc_data(self, document_data):
+        """Parse and return the document data shipyard receives
+        document_data should be a "bytes" type of one or more yaml documents
+        Return the parsed documents as a list. If bad YAML was provided log a
+        warning and return an empty list
+        """
+        try:
+            yaml_doc_list = list(yaml.safe_load_all(document_data))
+            LOG.debug('Loaded %s YAML documents from provided data',
+                      len(yaml_doc_list))
+        except yaml.YAMLError as exc:
+            yaml_doc_list = []
+            LOG.warning(('Invalid YAML provided to Shipyard. Syntax error(s): '
+                         '{}').format(exc))
+
+        return yaml_doc_list
+
+    def get_doc_names_and_schemas(self, document_data):
+        """Given the document_data shipyard receives, return a list of tuples
+        denoting each documents' name and schema (name, schema)
+        """
+        parsed_docs = self.parse_received_doc_data(document_data)
+        names_and_schemas = []
+
+        for doc in parsed_docs:
+            try:
+                schema = doc['schema']
+            except (TypeError, KeyError):
+                schema = ''
+                LOG.warning('Document recevied with no schema')
+            try:
+                name = doc['metadata']['name']
+            except (TypeError, KeyError):
+                name = ''
+                LOG.warning('Document recevied with no name')
+
+            names_and_schemas.append((name, schema))
+        return names_and_schemas
+
+    def check_for_document(self, document_data, name, schema):
+        """Given the document data shipyard recevies, see if the given
+        name/schmea combination exists in the list of documents
+        Return True if the document exists, False otherwise
+        """
+        return (name, schema) in self.get_doc_names_and_schemas(document_data)
+
     def get_configdocs_status(self, versions=None):
         """
         :param versions: A list of 2 versions. Defaults to buffer and
@@ -244,8 +284,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         return configdocs_status
 
     def _get_revision_dict(self):
-        """
-        Returns a dictionary with values representing the revisions in
+        """Returns a dictionary with values representing the revisions in
         Deckhand that Shipyard cares about - committed, buffer, latest,
         last_site_action and successful_site_action, as well as a count
         of revisions.
@@ -326,7 +365,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         return self.revision_dict
 
     def _get_revision(self, target_revision):
-        # Helper to drill down to the target revision
+        """Helper to drill down to the target revision"""
         return self._get_revision_dict().get(target_revision)
 
     def get_revision_id(self, target_revision):
@@ -336,8 +375,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
 
     def get_collection_docs(self, version, collection_id,
                             cleartext_secrets=False):
-        """
-        Returns the requested collection of docs based on the version
+        """Returns the requested collection of docs based on the version
         specifier. The default is set as buffer.
         """
         LOG.info('Retrieving collection %s from %s', collection_id, version)
@@ -349,8 +387,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
                                          cleartext_secrets=cleartext_secrets)
 
     def _get_doc_from_buffer(self, collection_id, cleartext_secrets=False):
-        """
-        Returns the collection if it exists in the buffer.
+        """Returns the collection if it exists in the buffer.
         If the buffer contains the collection, the latest
         representation is what we want.
         """
@@ -373,8 +410,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
 
     def _get_target_docs(self, collection_id, target_rev,
                          cleartext_secrets=False):
-        """
-        Returns the collection if it exists as committed, last_site_action
+        """Returns the collection if it exists as committed, last_site_action
         or successful_site_action.
         """
         revision_id = self.get_revision_id(target_rev)
@@ -392,8 +428,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
             retry=False)
 
     def get_rendered_configdocs(self, version=BUFFER, cleartext_secrets=False):
-        """
-        Returns the rendered configuration documents for the specified
+        """Returns the rendered configuration documents for the specified
         revision (by name BUFFER, COMMITTED, LAST_SITE_ACTION,
         SUCCESSFUL_SITE_ACTION)
         """
@@ -519,7 +554,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         return _format_validations_to_status(resp_msgs, error_count)
 
     def _get_shipyard_validations(self, revision_id):
-        # Run Shipyard's own validations.
+        """Run Shipyard's own validations."""
         try:
             sy_val_mgr = DocumentValidationManager(
                 service_clients.deckhand_client(),
@@ -564,9 +599,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         return resp_msgs
 
     def tag_buffer(self, tag):
-        """
-        Convenience method to tag the buffer version.
-        """
+        """Convenience method to tag the buffer version."""
         buffer_rev_id = self.get_revision_id(BUFFER)
         if buffer_rev_id is None:
             raise AppError(
@@ -578,14 +611,11 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         self.tag_revision(buffer_rev_id, tag)
 
     def tag_revision(self, revision_id, tag):
-        """
-        Tags the specified revision with the specified tag
-        """
+        """Tags the specified revision with the specified tag"""
         self.deckhand.tag_revision(revision_id=revision_id, tag=tag)
 
     def add_collection(self, collection_id, document_string):
-        """
-        Triggers a call to Deckhand to add a collection(bucket)
+        """Triggers a call to Deckhand to add a collection(bucket)
         Documents are assumed to be a string input, not a
         collection.
         Returns the id of the buffer version.
@@ -653,7 +683,7 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
         return False
 
     def _get_ordered_versions(self, versions=None):
-        """returns a list of ordered versions"""
+        """Returns a list of ordered versions"""
 
         # Default ordering
         def_order = [SUCCESSFUL_SITE_ACTION,
@@ -744,8 +774,30 @@ class ConfigdocsHelper(object):
 # functions for module.
 #
 
+def add_messages_to_validation_status(status, msgs, level):
+    """Given a status retrieved from _format_validations_to_status and a list
+    of messages at a given level (Error, Warning, Info), add messages to the
+    status
+    """
+    code = falcon.HTTP_200
+    if str(level).lower() == 'error':
+        code = falcon.HTTP_400
+        status['status'] = 'Failure'
+        status['message'] = 'Validations failed'
+        status['code'] = code
+        status['details']['errorCount'] += len(msgs)
+
+    formatted_messages = []
+    for msg in msgs:
+        formatted_messages.append({'code': code,
+                                   'message': msg,
+                                   'status': str(level).capitalize(),
+                                   'level': str(level).lower()})
+    status['details']['messageList'] += formatted_messages
+
+
 def _get_validation_endpoints():
-    # returns the list of validation endpoint supported
+    """Returns the list of validation endpoint supported"""
     val_ep = '{}/validatedesign'
     return [
         {
@@ -764,7 +816,7 @@ def _get_validation_endpoints():
 
 
 def _get_validation_threads(validation_endpoints, ctx, design_ref):
-    # create a list of validation threads from the endpoints
+    """Create a list of validation threads from the endpoints"""
     validation_threads = []
     for endpoint in validation_endpoints:
         # create a holder for things we need back from the threads
@@ -798,7 +850,7 @@ def _get_validation_threads(validation_endpoints, ctx, design_ref):
 def _get_validations_for_component(url, design_reference, response,
                                    exception, context_marker, thread_name,
                                    **kwargs):
-    # Invoke the POST for validation
+    """Invoke the POST for validation"""
     try:
         headers = {
             'X-Context-Marker': context_marker,
@@ -840,11 +892,12 @@ def _get_validations_for_component(url, design_reference, response,
 
 
 def _generate_dh_val_msg(msg, dh_result_name):
-    # Maps a deckhand validation response to a ValidationMessage.
-    # Result name is used if the msg doesn't specify a name field.
-    # Deckhand may provide the following fields:
-    # 'validation_schema', 'schema_path', 'name', 'schema', 'path',
-    # 'error_section', 'message'
+    """Maps a deckhand validation response to a ValidationMessage.
+    Result name is used if the msg doesn't specify a name field.
+    Deckhand may provide the following fields:
+    'validation_schema', 'schema_path', 'name', 'schema', 'path',
+    'error_section', 'message'
+    """
     not_spec = 'not specified'
     if 'diagnostic' not in msg:
         # format path, error_section, validation_schema, and schema_path
@@ -871,12 +924,13 @@ def _generate_dh_val_msg(msg, dh_result_name):
 
 
 def _generate_validation_message(msg, **kwargs):
-    # Special note about kwargs: the values provided via kwargs are used
-    # as defaults, not overrides. Values in the msg will take precedence.
-    #
-    # Using a compatible message, transform it into a ValidationMessage.
-    # By combining it with the default values passed via kwargs. The values
-    # used from kwargs match the fields listed below.
+    """Special note about kwargs: the values provided via kwargs are used
+    as defaults, not overrides. Values in the msg will take precedence.
+
+    Using a compatible message, transform it into a ValidationMessage.
+    By combining it with the default values passed via kwargs. The values
+    used from kwargs match the fields listed below.
+    """
 
     fields = ['message', 'error', 'name', 'documents', 'level', 'diagnostic',
               'source']
@@ -894,7 +948,7 @@ def _generate_validation_message(msg, **kwargs):
 
 
 def _error_to_level(error):
-    """Convert a boolean error field to 'Error' or 'Info' """
+    """Convert a boolean error field to 'Error' or 'Info'"""
     if error:
         return 'Error'
     else:
@@ -902,9 +956,9 @@ def _error_to_level(error):
 
 
 def _format_validations_to_status(val_msgs, error_count):
-    # Using a list of validation messages and an error count,
-    # formulates and returns a status response dict
-
+    """Using a list of validation messages and an error count,
+    formulates and returns a status response dict
+    """
     status = 'Success'
     message = 'Validations succeeded'
     code = falcon.HTTP_200
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_api.py b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_api.py
index 969d4170..519dc150 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_api.py
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_api.py
@@ -16,12 +16,14 @@ import json
 from unittest import mock
 from unittest.mock import ANY, patch
 
+from oslo_config import cfg
 import pytest
 
 from shipyard_airflow.control.base import ShipyardRequestContext
 from shipyard_airflow.control.configdocs.configdocs_api import (
     CommitConfigDocsResource,
-    ConfigDocsResource
+    ConfigDocsResource,
+    DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC
 )
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers import configdocs_helper
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers.configdocs_helper import \
@@ -31,6 +33,7 @@ from shipyard_airflow.errors import ApiError
 from tests.unit.control import common
 
 CTX = ShipyardRequestContext()
+CONF = cfg.CONF
 
 
 class TestConfigDocsStatusResource():
@@ -88,6 +91,21 @@ class TestConfigDocsResource():
                 # should not raise an exception.
                 assert False
 
+    def test__validate_deployment_version(self):
+        """Test of the validate deployment version function
+        """
+        helper = None
+        with patch.object(
+                ConfigdocsHelper, 'check_for_document') as mock_method:
+            cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
+            helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+            cdr._validate_deployment_version(helper, 'oranges')
+
+        mock_method.assert_called_once_with('oranges',
+                                            DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['name'],
+                                            DEPLOYMENT_DATA_DOC['schema'])
+
+
     def test_get_collection(self):
         helper = None
         with patch.object(
@@ -100,21 +118,22 @@ class TestConfigDocsResource():
 
     @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_collection_in_buffer',
                   lambda x, y: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_buffer_valid_for_bucket',
+                  lambda x, y, z: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'get_deckhand_validation_status',
+                  lambda x, y: configdocs_helper.
+      _format_validations_to_status([], 0))
     def test_post_collection(self):
         """
         Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
         """
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'Skip', 'validations')
         helper = None
         collection_id = 'trees'
         document_data = 'lots of info'
         with patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'add_collection') as mock_method:
             cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
             helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
-            helper.is_buffer_valid_for_bucket = lambda a, b: True
-            helper.get_deckhand_validation_status = (
-                lambda a: configdocs_helper._format_validations_to_status([],
-                                                                          0)
-            )
             cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
                                 collection_id=collection_id,
                                 document_data=document_data)
@@ -125,10 +144,14 @@ class TestConfigDocsResource():
                   lambda x, y: True)
     @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_buffer_valid_for_bucket',
                   lambda x, y, z: False)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'get_deckhand_validation_status',
+                  lambda x, y: configdocs_helper.
+      _format_validations_to_status([], 0))
     def test_post_collection_not_valid_for_buffer(self):
         """
         Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
         """
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'Skip', 'validations')
         helper = None
         collection_id = 'trees'
         document_data = 'lots of info'
@@ -136,10 +159,6 @@ class TestConfigDocsResource():
             cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
             helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
             # not valid for bucket
-            helper.get_deckhand_validation_status = (
-                lambda a: configdocs_helper._format_validations_to_status([],
-                                                                          0)
-            )
             cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
                                 collection_id=collection_id,
                                 document_data=document_data)
@@ -149,28 +168,134 @@ class TestConfigDocsResource():
                   lambda x, y: False)
     @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_buffer_valid_for_bucket',
                   lambda x, y, z: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'get_deckhand_validation_status',
+                  lambda x, y: configdocs_helper.
+      _format_validations_to_status([], 0))
     def test_post_collection_not_added(self):
         """
         Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
         """
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'Skip', 'validations')
         helper = None
         collection_id = 'trees'
         document_data = 'lots of info'
         with patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'add_collection') as mock_method:
             cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
             helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
-            helper.get_deckhand_validation_status = (
-                lambda a: configdocs_helper._format_validations_to_status([],
-                                                                          0)
-            )
             with pytest.raises(ApiError) as apie:
                 cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
                                     collection_id=collection_id,
                                     document_data=document_data)
 
             assert apie.value.status == '400 Bad Request'
+            assert apie.value.title == ('Collection {} not added to Shipyard '
+                                        'buffer'.format(collection_id))
         mock_method.assert_called_once_with(collection_id, document_data)
 
+    def test_post_collection_deployment_version_missing_error(self):
+        """
+        Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
+        """
+        # Make sure that the configuration value is handled case-insensitively
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'eRRoR', 'validations')
+        helper = None
+        collection_id = 'trees'
+        document_data = 'lots of info'
+        cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
+        helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+        with pytest.raises(ApiError) as apie:
+            cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
+                                collection_id=collection_id,
+                                document_data=document_data)
+
+        assert apie.value.status == '400 Bad Request'
+        assert apie.value.title == ('Deployment version document missing from '
+                                    'collection')
+
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_collection_in_buffer',
+                  lambda x, y: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_buffer_valid_for_bucket',
+                  lambda x, y, z: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'get_deckhand_validation_status',
+                  lambda x, y: configdocs_helper.
+      _format_validations_to_status([], 0))
+    def test_post_collection_deployment_version_missing_warning(self):
+        """
+        Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
+        """
+        # Make sure that the configuration value is handled case-insensitively
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'warnING',
+                          'validations')
+        helper = None
+        collection_id = 'trees'
+        document_data = 'lots of info'
+        with patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'add_collection') as mock_method:
+            cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
+            helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+            status = cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
+                                         collection_id=collection_id,
+                                         document_data=document_data)
+            assert len(status['details']['messageList']) == 1
+            assert status['details']['messageList'][0]['level'] == 'warning'
+
+        mock_method.assert_called_once_with(collection_id, document_data)
+
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_collection_in_buffer',
+                  lambda x, y: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_buffer_valid_for_bucket',
+                  lambda x, y, z: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'get_deckhand_validation_status',
+                  lambda x, y: configdocs_helper.
+      _format_validations_to_status([], 0))
+    def test_post_collection_deployment_version_missing_info(self):
+        """
+        Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
+        """
+        # Make sure that the configuration value is handled case-insensitively
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'iNfO', 'validations')
+        helper = None
+        collection_id = 'trees'
+        document_data = 'lots of info'
+        with patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'add_collection') as mock_method:
+            cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
+            helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+            status = cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
+                                         collection_id=collection_id,
+                                         document_data=document_data)
+            assert len(status['details']['messageList']) == 1
+            assert status['details']['messageList'][0]['level'] == 'info'
+
+        mock_method.assert_called_once_with(collection_id, document_data)
+
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_collection_in_buffer',
+                  lambda x, y: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'is_buffer_valid_for_bucket',
+                  lambda x, y, z: True)
+    @patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'get_deckhand_validation_status',
+                  lambda x, y: configdocs_helper.
+      _format_validations_to_status([], 0))
+    def test_post_collection_deployment_version_missing_skip(self):
+        """
+        Tests the post collection method of the ConfigdocsResource
+        """
+        # Make sure that the configuration value is handled case-insensitively
+        CONF.set_override('deployment_version_create', 'SKip', 'validations')
+        helper = None
+        collection_id = 'trees'
+        document_data = 'lots of info'
+        with patch.object(ConfigdocsHelper, 'add_collection') as mock_method0,\
+             patch.object(ConfigDocsResource,
+                '_validate_deployment_version') as mock_method1:
+            cdr = ConfigDocsResource()
+            helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+            status = cdr.post_collection(helper=helper,
+                                         collection_id=collection_id,
+                                         document_data=document_data)
+            assert len(status['details']['messageList']) == 0
+
+        mock_method0.assert_called_once_with(collection_id, document_data)
+        mock_method1.assert_not_called
+
 
 class TestCommitConfigDocsResource():
     @mock.patch.object(ApiLock, 'release')
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_helper.py b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_helper.py
index 09f51f86..392161aa 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_helper.py
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_airflow/tests/unit/control/test_configdocs_helper.py
@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@ import pytest
 import responses
 import yaml
 
+import falcon
 from .fake_response import FakeResponse
 from shipyard_airflow.control.base import ShipyardRequestContext
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers import configdocs_helper
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers.configdocs_helper import (
-    BufferMode, ConfigdocsHelper)
+    BufferMode, ConfigdocsHelper, add_messages_to_validation_status)
 from shipyard_airflow.control.helpers.deckhand_client import (
     DeckhandClient, DeckhandResponseError,
     NoRevisionsExistError)
@@ -1057,3 +1058,143 @@ def test_check_intermediate_commit():
     assert not helper_no_revs.check_intermediate_commit()
     assert not helper_no_intermidiate_commits.check_intermediate_commit()
     assert helper_with_intermidiate_commits.check_intermediate_commit()
+
+def test_parse_received_doc_data():
+    helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+    yaml = """
+---
+document1:
+    - a
+    - b
+    - c
+---
+document2:
+    - 1
+    - 2
+    - 3
+...
+"""
+    parsed = helper.parse_received_doc_data(yaml)
+    assert type(parsed) == list
+    assert len(parsed) == 2
+
+def test_parse_received_doc_data_bad_yaml():
+    helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+    yaml = "--- asdfjklsemicolon:"
+    parsed = helper.parse_received_doc_data(yaml)
+    assert type(parsed) == list
+    assert len(parsed) == 0
+
+def test_get_doc_names_and_schemas():
+    helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+    yaml = """
+---
+doc_that_does_not_have_a: name or schema
+---
+schema: mycool/Document/v1
+metadata:
+  schema: metadata/Document/v1
+  name: cool-doc
+  storagePolicy: cleartext
+  layeringDefinition:
+    abstract: false
+    layer: global
+data:
+  hello world
+---
+schema: notascool/Document/v1
+metadata:
+  schema: metadata/Document/v1
+  name: average-document
+  storagePolicy: cleartext
+  layeringDefinition:
+    abstract: false
+    layer: global
+data:
+  goodbye space
+...
+"""
+    names_and_schemas = helper.get_doc_names_and_schemas(yaml)
+    assert type(names_and_schemas) == list
+    assert len(names_and_schemas) == 3
+    assert type(names_and_schemas[0]) == tuple
+    assert names_and_schemas[0][0] == ''
+    assert names_and_schemas[0][1] == ''
+    assert names_and_schemas[1][0] == 'cool-doc'
+    assert names_and_schemas[1][1] == 'mycool/Document/v1'
+    assert names_and_schemas[2][0] == 'average-document'
+    assert names_and_schemas[2][1] == 'notascool/Document/v1'
+
+def test_check_for_document():
+    helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+    yaml = """
+---
+schema: mycool/Document/v1
+metadata:
+  schema: metadata/Document/v1
+  name: cool-doc
+  storagePolicy: cleartext
+  layeringDefinition:
+    abstract: false
+    layer: global
+data:
+  hello world
+...
+"""
+    assert helper.check_for_document(yaml, 'cool-doc', 'mycool/Document/v1')
+    assert not helper.check_for_document(yaml, 'cool-doc', 'nope')
+    assert not helper.check_for_document(yaml, 'nope', 'mycool/Document/v1')
+    assert not helper.check_for_document(yaml, 'nope', 'nope')
+
+def test_add_messages_to_validation_status():
+    helper = ConfigdocsHelper(CTX)
+    status = {
+        "kind": "Status",
+        "apiVersion": "v1.0",
+        "metadata": {},
+        "status": "Success",
+        "message": "Validations succeeded",
+        "reason": "Validation",
+        "details": {
+            "errorCount": 0,
+            "messageList": [],
+        },
+        "code": falcon.HTTP_200
+    }
+    info_messages = ['message 1', 'message 2']
+    warn_messages = ['message 3']
+    error_messages = ['message 4', 'message 5']
+
+    add_messages_to_validation_status(status, info_messages, 'info')
+    assert status['details']['errorCount'] == 0
+    assert len(status['details']['messageList']) == 2
+    assert type(status['details']['messageList'][0]) == dict
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][0]['code'] == falcon.HTTP_200
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][0]['message'] == 'message 1'
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][0]['status'] == 'Info'
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][0]['level'] == 'info'
+    assert status["status"] == "Success"
+    assert status["message"] == "Validations succeeded"
+    assert status["code"] == falcon.HTTP_200
+
+    add_messages_to_validation_status(status, warn_messages, 'warning')
+    assert status['details']['errorCount'] == 0
+    assert len(status['details']['messageList']) == 3
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][2]['code'] == falcon.HTTP_200
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][2]['message'] == 'message 3'
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][2]['status'] == 'Warning'
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][2]['level'] == 'warning'
+    assert status["status"] == "Success"
+    assert status["message"] == "Validations succeeded"
+    assert status["code"] == falcon.HTTP_200
+
+    add_messages_to_validation_status(status, error_messages, 'error')
+    assert status['details']['errorCount'] == 2
+    assert len(status['details']['messageList']) == 5
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][3]['code'] == falcon.HTTP_400
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][3]['message'] == 'message 4'
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][3]['status'] == 'Error'
+    assert status['details']['messageList'][3]['level'] == 'error'
+    assert status["status"] == "Failure"
+    assert status["message"] == "Validations failed"
+    assert status["code"] == falcon.HTTP_400
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/bin/shipyard_client/shipyard_client/cli/format_utils.py b/src/bin/shipyard_client/shipyard_client/cli/format_utils.py
index 0568238f..9680e287 100644
--- a/src/bin/shipyard_client/shipyard_client/cli/format_utils.py
+++ b/src/bin/shipyard_client/shipyard_client/cli/format_utils.py
@@ -178,11 +178,10 @@ def _format_basic_message(message):
 
     Returns a single string with embedded newlines
     """
+    level = str(message.get('level', 'Info')).capitalize()
     if message.get('error', False):
-        resp = '\n- Error: {}'.format(message.get('message'))
-    else:
-        resp = '\n- Info: {}'.format(message.get('message'))
-    return resp
+        level = 'Error'  # Force showing "Error"
+    return '\n- {}: {}'.format(level, message.get('message'))
 
 
 def raw_format_response_handler(response):
diff --git a/tools/resources/shipyard.conf b/tools/resources/shipyard.conf
index eede00a6..eee3d81d 100644
--- a/tools/resources/shipyard.conf
+++ b/tools/resources/shipyard.conf
@@ -52,4 +52,5 @@ deployment_strategy_schema = shipyard/DeploymentStrategy/v1
 deployment_version_name = deployment-version
 deployment_version_schema = pegleg/DeploymentData/v1
 [validations]
+deployment_version_create=Skip
 deployment_version_commit=Skip
\ No newline at end of file