Transferring ownership of an Australian General Register vessel

You will need a bill of sale as proof of the transfer of ownership of the vessel to you as the new owner. The bill of sale must be completed by the registered owner of the vessel. 

The bill of sale must include: 

• Name and official number of the ship.
• Nature and extent of the interest in the ship to which the bill of sale relates (how many shares are being transferred).
• Name and address of each seller (transferor) and buyer (transferee).

The bill of sale must be in a format compliant with the Shipping Registration Regulations 1981. 

The original registration certificate must be returned to the Shipping Registration Office for the transfer of ownership to be completed. 

If the original registration certificate has been lost, you can apply for a replacement certificate. The fee for a new certificate is $222. Read more about how to replace your registration certificate.

• Declaration of transfer form 169
• Notice of appointment of registered agent

Each vessel on the Australian General Shipping Register must have a Registered Agent. The agent is the person responsible for the day to day management of the vessel. This can be the owner.

You must pay a non-refundable fee when lodging your application.

Learn more about shipping registration fees and payment options.

Send the original completed forms with the original bill of sale and original registration certificate to:

Shipping Registration Office
PO Box 255
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

We will let you know if we need additional information. If not, the transfer of ownership will be finalised and we will post your new registration certificate to you.

The documentation we need to transmit ownership of a vessel is different depending on your circumstances: 

If a court order has been made 

• Send us a copy of the court order directing the Registrar to transmit the ownership of the vessel.

If a joint owner has died: 

• Send us a copy of the death certificate, probate, or letters of administration. 
• Send us a statutory declaration confirming that the person named in the death certificate is the joint owner named in the register.

If the sole owner or an owner in common has died:

• Send us a copy of the will and probate or letters of administration of the estate of the deceased.

The original registration certificate must be returned to the Shipping Registration Office for the transfer of ownership to be completed. 

If the original registration certificate has been lost, you can apply for a replacement certificate. The fee for a new certificate is $222. Read more about how to replace your registration certificate.

• Declaration of transmission by operation of law form 207
• Notice of appointment of registered agent form 157

You must pay a non-refundable fee when lodging your application.

Learn more about shipping registration fees and payment options.

Send the original completed forms with the original bill of sale and original registration certificate to:

Shipping Registration Office
PO Box 255
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

We require original documentation and cannot accept or process documents received via fax or email.  

We will let you know if we need any additional information. If not, the transmission of ownership will be finalised and we will post your new registration certificate to you.