Collection

River Thames: boat registration and application forms

Guidance, application forms and charges information to apply for a boat registration (licence) on the River Thames.

Published 31 March 2014
Last updated 20 November 2019 — see all updates

• From: Environment Agency

All vessels on Environment Agency waterways must be registered. A vessel includes not only boats such as narrowboats, cruisers and barges, but also unpowered house boats, canoes and rowing skiffs.

Registration costs for powered boats are based on the area of your boat calculated in square metres by multiplying the length by the beam (width). There is a set charge for unpowered boats (excludes houseboats).

To calculate the charge for your registration, visit our charges sheet.

The Environment Agency doesn’t currently offer an online boat registration renewal service. To renew your boat registration, contact the boat registration team.

The Environment Agency aim to process your application as quickly as possible. At busy times it can take up to 10 working days from the day of receipt to issue your registration, please allow additional time for postage.

You can buy a visitor registration for either a powered or an unpowered boat at any River Thames lock when there is a lock keeper on duty. To buy your visitor registration at the lock you must complete the registration form they provide you with onsite, we cannot accept any other forms.

Environment Agency boat registration team

PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email boatreg@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Find out about call charges

For further information about boat registration see Register a boat.

Closures and restrictions take place on the River Thames throughout the year. Please check restrictions and closures information before you plan your journey.

Information

1. River Thames: boat registration charges
   • 13 November 2019
   • Form
2. River Thames: boat registration requirements
   • 9 February 2017
   • Guidance
3. Boat registration privacy notice
   • 20 November 2019
   • Guidance

Boat registration (licence) forms

1. River Thames: application for registration of a launch
   • 13 November 2019
   • Form
2. River Thames: visiting launch short period application
   • 13 November 2019
   • Form
3. River Thames: unpowered boat application form
   • 13 November 2019
   • Form
4. River Thames: application for registration of a houseboat
   • 13 November 2019
   • Form

Payment forms

1. River Thames: direct debit application form
   • 15 November 2017
   • Form

Boat registration (licence) changes

1. Boat registration: refunding or transferring your registration
   • 21 November 2014
   • Guidance
2. Environment Agency waterways: change of ownership or address form
   • 9 December 2013
   • Form

Published 31 March 2014
Last updated 20 November 2019 + show all updates

1. 20 November 2019

   River Thames: boat registration privacy notice added.

2. 26 January 2017

   We have added an application form to register a houseboat on the River Thames.

3. 17 November 2016

   Introductory text changed to: All vessels on Environment Agency waterways must be registered. A vessel includes not only boats such as narrowboats, cruisers and barges, but also unpowered house boats, canoes and rowing skiffs.

4. 20 November 2015

   We have added an application form for registration of a launch on the River Thames.

5. 31 March 2014

   First published.