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Return flag certificate for pleasure craft

Service Description

The flag certificate serves as proof of the right to fly the German flag on a seagoing vessel or a seaworthy pleasure craft with a hull length of up to 15 meters.

It is issued to natural persons, partnerships or legal entities. You must have a residence or registered office in Germany and either be a German citizen or a citizen of the European Union (EU).

A flag certificate must be returned if

  • the ship or boat has been sold,
  • the ship has been entered in a German or foreign ship register,
  • the ownership structure changes, especially in the case of joint ownership, for example if owners leave or new persons join the joint ownership, or
  • the owner dies.

Process flow

You can request the return of a flag certificate from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).

By post:

  • Go to the BSH website and access the section for flag certificates.
  • Select the PDF form "Application for return of an existing flag certificate".
  • You can complete the application form as a PDF file on your computer and print it out or download it and complete it by hand.
  • Send the completed application form together with the required documents, including the original flag certificate, to the BSH by post.
  • You will receive confirmation of the return if you have noted this accordingly in the application.

Online:

  • To apply online, go to the "Flag certificates" section of the BSH and follow the instructions.
  • You can upload certificates in various formats.
  • You must send the original flag certificate to the BSH by post for return.
  • Note: You will only receive information on the confirmation of the invalidity of the flag certificate if this has been requested in the return.
  • Explanations on the application and information on the flag certificate can also be found on the BSH website

Requirements

A valid flag certificate must be returned if

  • you sell the ship or boat,
  • the ship is to be entered in a German or foreign ship register,
  • the ownership structure changes, particularly in the case of joint ownership, for example if owners leave or new persons join the joint ownership, or
  • the owner dies.

Which documents are required?

  • completed (online) application
  • Original flag certificate

What are the fees?

Fee: free of charge
There are no costs,

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Return the flag certificate immediately if you sell the vehicle or the ownership situation changes.

Processing duration

Processing Time: 2 Weeks
Depending on seasonal capacity utilization, processing may take longer. You will only receive information on the confirmation of the invalidity of the flag certificate if this has been requested in the return.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Appeal against rejection notice

Appeal

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: Yes

What else should I know?

You will only receive the details for confirmation of the invalidity of the flag certificate if this has been requested in the return.

Further Information

Author

Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH)


Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV)

Professionally released on

29.11.2022

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6Plus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) - Sachgebiet S11

Postal address
Post office box 301220
20038 Hamburg, Freie und Hansestadt
Telephone
+49 40 3190-7114
E-Mail
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