When you register a vessel, you are registering on one of four parts of the UK Ship Register (UKSR)
All applications for registration can be completed online. Depending on vessel type you will be required to provide supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee.
How to apply
If you want to apply to register your vessel, you can use the UK Ship registration service online.
Or you can complete all required documents and apply via email or post.
Depending on vessel type you will be required to provide supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee, detailed information below.
First time registration (part 1)
Process and documents needed for Part 1 and Part 4 (Bareboat) Registration
How to get started when applying on behalf of the ship owner
Your first step will be to complete a ship registration pro forma (MSF 5547), which provides us with the necessary information to check if the ship and the owner are eligible for UK registration.
Following a successful check, you will then be assigned a Key Account Manager (KAM), and will guide you through the transfer of the ship on to the Register; and will be your dedicated point of contact for administration and general policy matters, both during the ‘flag-in’ process and for the period that the vessel remains with the UK Ship Register.
You will also be assigned a Customer Service Manager (CSM) who will deal with the technical issues regarding the survey
and inspection of the ship during the ‘flag-in’ process and for the period that the vessel remains with the UK Ship Register.
Required Documents for Part I Registration
- Application to Register – MSF 4740 (A)
- Declaration of Eligibility – MSF 4727
- Bill of Sale (for existing ships) – MSF 4705
- Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate
- UK Certificate of Survey for Tonnage & Measurement
- International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69) - (for vessels >500 GT)
- Builders Certificate (for new builds) - MSF 4743
- Deletion certificate/transcript from the current register or a written undertaking to provide
one within six weeks - Copy of the ship’s current Continuous Synopsis Record (for vessels >500 GT) - MSF 5623-C
- Mortgage registration forms (if appropriate) - MSF 4736 and MSF 4737
- Payment of £153 for 5 years
Once the documentation is received, a Carving and Marking Note will be issued to the owner / attending surveyor.
On receipt of the completed Carving and Marking note at RSS, the Certificate of Registry can be issued.
Please note that any documents used to support your application for Part 1 or Part 4 (Bareboat) Registration, if not in English, must be accompanied by a translation, which must be notarised
Required Documents for Part IV (Bareboat Charter) Registration
The following documents are required for Part IV registration:
- Application to Register a bareboat charter ship – MSF 4738
- Declaration of Eligibility for a bareboat charter ship – MSF 4735
- Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if charterer is a body corporate)
- Copy of the bareboat charter party agreement
- Primary registration certificate showing the vessel’s official number
- Consent from the Primary Register
- UK Certificate of Survey for Tonnage & Measurement
- International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69)
- Copy of the ship’s current Continuous Synopsis Record (for vessels >500 GT)
- Payment of £153 for 5 years
Once the documentation is received, a Carving and Marking Note will be issued to the owner / attending surveyor.
On receipt of the completed Carving and Marking note at RSS, the Certificate of Registry can be issued.
Please note that any documents used to support your application for Part 1 or Part 4 (Bareboat) Registration, if not in English, must be accompanied by a translation, which must be notarised
These documents can be sent to us by email - uksr@mcga.gov.uk
We also can be contacted on +44 (0)20 3908 5200.
New registration Part 1 Pleasure
To complete your vessel registration, you can use the UK Ship Registration Service online.
You will need to have the following documents to complete your online application.
If you do not have an account you will need to create one and then sign in. This can be done here.
If you prefer to complete your registration via email, we require the following documents below:
(this form applies to all parts of the register)
Registration fee – this can be paid via the following links: £153 for standard service or £333 for premium service.
You will need to have the vessel name, official number and a card for payment.
Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)
Deletion Certificate. This is to be provided if vessel has been previously registered outside of the UK.
Bill of Sale or Builder’s Certificate to confirm ownership of the vessel.
All new registrations regardless of the size of the vessel will require a UK Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement issued within a 12-month period of the application to register. The survey must be completed by a surveyor from a class/certifying authority or UK Authorised Recognised Organisation.
Commercial vessels of less than 24m load line/registered length require either a Work Boat Certificate, Passenger Boat Certificate, Small Commercial Vessel Certificate, or appropriate safety certificate at the time of registration. These can be arranged with a class/certifying authority.
Commercial vessels greater than 24m load line/registered length require an ITC 69 for all new registrations. The ITC must be completed by UK Authorised Recognised Organisation.
A Continuous Synopsis Record (if applicable) (CSR), please provide a copy of the Current CSR and CSR amendment form 2/3 for UK Ship Register to issue the next CSR in sequence.
On receipt of the above documentation, the Carving and Marking note will be issued which will confirm the correct markings for the vessel. The Carving and Marking note will need to be witnessed by either a class/certifying authority or UK Authorised Recognised Organisation if the vessel is greater than 24m.
Registration Fishing (part 2)
New registration built before 21st July 2020 vessel (less than 7m)
To complete your vessel registration, you can use the UK Ship Registration Service online.
You will need to have the following documents to complete your online application.
If you do not have an account you will need to create one and then sign in. This can be done here.
If you prefer to complete your registration via email, we require the following documents below:
Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)
Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376)
Registration fee can be paid via following links, £159 for “simple” registration, £196 for “full” registration or £376 for “full” premium service
A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel, a “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.
Three years title evidence is required to register a “full” fishing vessel. The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register “simple” fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title from the builder’s certificate to the current bill of sale.
Bill of Sale or Builders Certificate
Once the above has been received we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, official number, port of registry and PLN of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued, inspection can be arranged with your local MCA Marine office.
New registration built before 21st July 2020 vessel (between 7m and 12m registered length)
To complete your vessel registration, you can use the UK Ship Registration Service online.
You will need to have the following documents to complete your online application.
If you do not have an account you will need to create one and then sign in. This can be done here.
If you prefer to complete your registration via email, we require the following documents below:
Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)
Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376) or Seafish Certificate
Outfit Compliance Certificate (MSF 1368)
Registration Report/Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying authority
Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, the above Registration Report will be used to make any decision.
Registration fee can be paid via following links, £159 for “simple” registration, £196 for “full” registration or £376 for “full” premium service
A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel, a “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.
Three years title evidence is required to register a “full” fishing vessel. The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register “simple” fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title from the builder’s certificate to the current bill of sale.
Bill of Sale or Builders Certificate
Once the above has been received we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, official number, port of registry and PLN of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued, inspection can be arranged with your local MCA Marine office.
New registration built before 21st July 2020 vessel (between 12m and 15m overall length)
To complete your vessel registration, you can use the UK Ship Registration Service online.
You will need to have the following documents to complete your online application.
If you do not have an account you will need to create one and then sign in. This can be done here.
If you prefer to complete your registration via email, we require the following documents below:
Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)
Registration Report/Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying authority
Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, the above Registration Report will be used to make any decision.
Registration fee can be paid via following links, £159 for “simple” registration, £196 for “full” registration or £376 for “full” premium service
A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel, a “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.
Three years title evidence is required to register a “full” fishing vessel. The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register “simple” fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title from the builder’s certificate to the current bill of sale.
Bill of Sale or Builders Certificate
Once the above has been received we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, official number, port of registry and PLN of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued, inspection can be arranged with your local MCA Marine office.
New registration built before 21st July 2020 (vessel over 15m)
To complete your vessel registration, you can use the UK Ship Registration Service online.
You will need to have the following documents to complete your online application.
If you do not have an account you will need to create one and then sign in. This can be done here.
If you prefer to complete your registration via email, we require the following documents below:
Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)
Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, we will forward your application details on to them. The vessel application will be assessed against flag in matrix.
If the vessel is over 24m a Class Certificate is required.
Registration fee can be paid via following links, £159 for “simple” registration, £196 for “full” registration or £376 for “full” premium service
A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel, a “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.
Three years title evidence is required to register a “full” fishing vessel. The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register “simple” fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title from the builder’s certificate to the current bill of sale.
Bill of Sale or Builders Certificate
Once the above has been received we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, official number, port of registry and PLN of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued, inspection can be arranged with your local MCA Marine office.
Small Ships Registration (part 3)
New registration Small Ships (less than 24m)
To complete your vessel registration, you can use the UK Ship Registration Service online.
Watch our short simple video below on how to register online easily and what documents you will need to complete your application.
If you do not have an account you will need to create one and then sign in. This can be done here.
If you prefer to complete your registration via email, we require all of the following documents below:
Registration fee can be paid via following link, £35 for standard service or £85 for premium service.
Confirmation of Ownership - Bill of Sale or Sales Invoice
On receipt of the above documents, the Certificate of Registry will be issued for your vessel; this will be valid for 5 years.
Registration Bareboat (part 4)
New registration Part 4 Bareboat
To complete your vessel registration complete documents below and email copies to us:-
Registration fee can be paid via following links, £153 for standard service or £333 for premium service
Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)
Bareboat Charter Party Agreement
Copy Certificate of Registration from Primary Registry
Consent letter from Primary Registry
All new registrations regardless of the size of the vessel will require a UK Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement issued within a 12-month period of the application to register. The survey must be completed by a surveyor from a class/certifying authority or UK Authorised Recognised Organisation.
Commercial vessels of less than 24m load line/registered length require either a Work Boat Certificate, Passenger Boat Certificate, Small Commercial Vessel Certificate, or appropriate safety certificate at the time of registration. These can be arranged with a class/certifying authority.
Commercial vessels greater than 24m load line/registered length require an ITC 69 for all new registrations. The ITC must be completed by UK Authorised Recognised Organisation.
A Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) (if applicable), please provide a copy of the Current CSR and CSR amendment form 2/3 for UK Ship Register to issue the next CSR in sequence.
On receipt of the above documentation, the Carving and Marking note will be issued which will confirm the correct markings for the vessel. The Carving and Marking note will need to be witnessed by either a class/certifying authority or UK Authorised Recognised Organisation if the vessel is greater than 24m.
Once your vessel is registered
You will receive a certificate of registration in the form of an e-certificate.