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British registration · Title and mortgage record

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UK Part 1 Yacht Registration

A full UK register for qualifying pleasure and commercial vessels, with an ownership record, official number and the ability to record a marine mortgage.

View service packages Check eligibility

RegisterUK Ship Register Part 1

Validity5 years

OwnershipQualified owner required

SurveyTonnage measurement

Direct answer

Is UK Part 1 the right registration?

Part 1 is the ownership-focused section of the UK Ship Register. It is used for pleasure and non-fishing commercial vessels and is different from the simpler Part 3 Small Ships Register.

The register records ownership in 64 shares and can record mortgages. A vessel normally receives an official number and must be measured and marked in accordance with the registry instructions.

Good fit

Owners who value a formal ownership record, may need mortgage registration, and meet the UK qualification route.

Look elsewhere when

You cannot meet owner eligibility, need the lightest possible small-boat document, or want to avoid tonnage measurement.

Customer-facing prices

Registration service packages.

We show the service price offered to the customer. Your written review identifies any vessel-specific work before you proceed.

Primary route

Private owner

€649

For an owner who already meets the Part 1 qualification rules.

Application preparation
Registry submission
Registration coordination
Five-year certificate

Request eligibility check

Alternative route

Corporate ownership

€799

Includes formation of a UK limited company for the ownership route.

UK company formation
Part 1 application service
Registry liaison
Five-year certificate

Request eligibility check

Eligibility, tonnage measurement and the vessel's technical position are checked before filing. Any exceptional survey, certification, courier or document-legalisation requirement is confirmed before it is incurred.

Who can apply

Owner and vessel eligibility.

The owner must fall within a current qualified-owner category or use an eligible corporate structure.
Joint ownership and company ownership require a clear allocation of the vessel's shares and supporting identity or corporate evidence.
Eligibility rules can change; we verify the current declaration before recommending a private-owner or corporate route.

Private and commercial use

Part 1 can cover pleasure vessels and qualifying commercial vessels other than fishing vessels.

A commercial certificate of registry does not replace coding, survey, manning or operating-area requirements.

Bareboat-charter registration and larger merchant vessels can follow different UK register processes and must be reviewed separately.

Prepare the file

Documents normally requested.

The final checklist depends on the owner, vessel history and intended operation. Never legalise or translate documents until we confirm the format.

01Bill of sale and ownership chain

02Builder's certificate for a new vessel

03Previous registration and deletion evidence

04Owner identity or company documents

05Tonnage and measurement certificate

06Radio and technical details where applicable

From review to certificate

How we handle the application.

Review

We review the owner, ownership structure, vessel, present flag and intended use before accepting the instruction.

Checklist

You receive a jurisdiction-specific checklist. We identify documents that need translation, certification, notarisation or apostille.

Application

We prepare the application and coordinate signatures, registry liaison and any survey or measurement work that applies.

After issue

After issue, we explain certificate delivery, markings, radio steps, renewals and changes that must be reported.

After registration

Renew the registration at the end of its five-year validity.
Keep ownership, address, vessel name, engine and other registered particulars current.
Maintain any safety, coding, survey, radio and insurance requirements that apply to the vessel's actual operation.

Reasons to consider it

Advantages

Recognised title-oriented register
Marine mortgages can be recorded
Suitable for pleasure and qualifying commercial vessels
Five-year registration period

Before you decide

Limitations

Owner qualification must be proven
Tonnage measurement is normally required
Part 1 does not itself authorise charter activity
Part 3 rules and benefits should not be confused with Part 1

Common questions

UK Part 1 registration FAQs.

Is UK Part 1 the same as the Small Ships Register?

No. Part 1 is a fuller ownership register and can record mortgages; Part 3 is a simpler route for qualifying UK residents and small pleasure vessels.

Does Part 1 prove that VAT was paid?

No. Registration and customs or VAT status are separate matters.

Can a mortgage be registered?

Yes, Part 1 provides a mechanism for recording a marine mortgage.

Can the yacht be chartered?

Potentially, but commercial coding, survey, manning and local charter permissions must also be satisfied.

How long is the registration valid?

The standard Part 1 registration period is five years, subject to renewal and keeping the registry details current.

Continue comparing

Related registration guides.

Free initial review

Check this route for your boat.

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