The registered owner or operator of a UK Ship Register vessel can change the details of their merchant vessel's name, port, measurement, tonnage, engine details or vessel registration type at any time.

If you have already created an online account and linked it to your vessel's registration record on the UK Ship Register's online service, you can log in to your UK Ship Register online service account to change your vessel's details. This includes if you have:

• Registered the vessel for the first time using the online service from the start, or
• If after registering through email or post you have since created an online account and linked it to the online vessel registration record

If you have not already created an online account and linked it to your vessel's registration record on the UK Ship Register's online service, you will need to do this before you can manage your registration online. See our managing your registration online guidance for more information.

If the ownership of the vessel is changing, see our Transfer of Ownership page for guidance.

Please note that any documents used to support your application, if not in English, must be accompanied by a notarised translation. You will need to print off and sign any documents, as we cannot accept digital signatures.

The following changes can be made through your online account

To make the changes listed below, please log in to your customer account on the UK Ship Register online service.

You will need to provide supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee.

Change of vessel name and/or port

To change the name of a UK registered merchant vessel, or change the port, you must complete the following:

• Application for Change of Name and/or Port MSF 4741 (not required if using the UK Ship Register online service)
• Payment of fee for Change of Name OR Port £46
• Payment of fee for Change of Name AND Port £63

Once the application is received, a Carving and Marking Note will be issued, which will need to be witnessed by a UK authorised organisation. Once completed, this will need to be returned via email to uksr@mcga.gov.uk. The Certificate of Registry can then be issued. 

Change of measurement or tonnage

To change the measurement or tonnage of a UK registered merchant vessel, you must provide the following:

• Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement issued by Class or Certifying Authority
• ITC69; this may be required if the vessel is over 24 metres in length
• Payment of £46 via the secure payment link on GOV.UK

Once the application is received, a Carving and Marking Note will be issued, which will need to be witnessed by a UK authorised organisation. When completed it will need to be returned to uksr@mcga.gov.uk and the Certificate of Registry can then be issued.

Change of engine details

To change the engine details of a UK registered merchant vessel, you must upload one of the following documents and pay the fee:

• A copy of the receipt or invoice for the engine, OR
• A Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement issued by Class or a Certifying Authority.
  The engine invoice must include full engine details, power, maker, model, proof of full payment, and show a link to the vessel or the vessel owner.
• Payment of £46 via the secure payment link on GOV.UK

Once the application is accepted, an updated Certificate of Registry can then be issued.

Change of vessel registration type

From Pleasure to Merchant

Please change vessel details through your customer account on the UK Ship Register online service that is linked to the vessel's registration record, and upload a copy of the vessel’s valid Code certificate. This must be in the owner or managing agent’s name. The Code Certificate can be arranged with a Certifying Authority.

Applications made by email or post require a completed Declaration of Eligibility to be submitted.

From Merchant to Pleasure

Please change vessel details through your customer account on the UK Ship Register online service that is linked to the vessel's registration record. If the vessel has been registered for fewer than five years, additional title evidence may be required to satisfy pleasure vessel registration requirements.

Applications made by email or post require a completed Declaration of Eligibility to be completed and submitted.

The following changes cannot be made online at the moment

Register a change of company name or a change of registered owners’ address

If the registered owner is incorporated, you will need to provide official confirmation of the change of company name, such as a  Certificate of Incorporation from Companies House.

To register a change of address, please provide a copy of a signed letter from the owner on new company headed paper, accompanied by the Certificate of Incorporation. This can be done by email to uksr@mcga.gov.uk or by post. You can find details of our postal address at the bottom of this page.

There is no fee to register a change of company name or change of address.

Please note that you will need to print off and sign any documents, as we cannot accept digital signatures.

Once the change of details has been registered, the updated Certificate of Registry will be issued.