Transfer ownership of a commercial vessel under 15 meters an in the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR)

1. Are there any mortgages registered against the vessel?

Mortgages very often contain the clause "sale and further mortgages forbidden".  The mortgagee must either consent to the sale (and possible registration of new mortgages) or sign the mortgage for deletion. The amendment must be made on the original document.
If the mortgagee is a foreign body: A Notary Public must confirm the identity and authority of the person signing. The Notary's signature is then to be legalized or amended with an Apostille.

2. Bill of Sale

The seller issues a Bill of Sale and signs it with a legally binding signature. For companies, the signatory must be authorized according to the certificate of company registration. 

Identification of sole proprietorships
A sole proprietorship is not an independent legal entity and may, therefore, not be registered owner of a vessel in the Ship Register. When registering a Bill of Sale or other title document, we kindly ask that you provide full name and Personal ID Number (11 digits) of the person responsible for the business. In addition, the organization number to the sole proprietorship should be stated.

If the full Personal ID Number is not given, the document will be returned without registration.

Confirmation of issuer's signature on Norwegian documents
Issuer's signature may be confirmed by: two individuals who are of age and resident in Norway, a lawyer/assistant lawyer, licensed registered accountant, or by a Notary Public.
Buyer and his/her immediate family may not act as witnesses.

Confirmation of issuer's signature on foreign documents
Title documents and Powers of attorney issued abroad must be notarized and thereafter legalized/amended with an Apostille.

A Notary Public has to confirm the identity of the person signing, that the person is of age and that the person is authorized to sign for and on behalf of the company in question.

It must be confirmed that the Notary Public is a public official holding the position specified in the document and, therefore, has the right to sign.
Notarial statements issued by Notaries in countries that are party to the Hague Convention are confirmed by the amendment of an Apostille by local authorities in the country.
Notarial statements issued by Notaries in countries that are not party to the Hague Convention are legalized by the Norwegian consular station in the relevant country.
Notarial statements from the Nordic Countries are exempt from legalization requirements.
You can find the list of countries that are parties to the Hague Convention on Apostille here. 

Bill of Sale must be sent to the Ship Registers with all signatures in original, or signed electronically with BankID.
Registration may take place on the basis of a PDF copy of the physically signed form. The original is then to be forwarded to the Department of Ship Registration within three weeks from entry into the journal.

3. Notification of change

Notification for a change in the Register. The form must be signed with binding signature by tthe new owner(s). If the PDF version is chosen, please send a signed copy to nis-nor@sdir.no.

If you wish to change the ship's home port, please select from the official list of approved home ports in NOR and NIS. 

4. Owner's nationality

The Norwegian Maritime Code (available here: Acts) § 1 sets out the requirements to owner's nationality.

To ensure fulfilment, a declaration must be submitted. For private individuals it is sufficient to complete the form “Notification for registration” (see item 2 above). All other entities must declare their nationality in a separate form, “Declaration of Nationality”. Choose the correct form, KR-0001 - KR-0007, in our forms directory The declaration must be signed with binding signature by the owner. 
If the PDF version is chosen, please send a signed copy to nis-nor@sdir.no.

Additional documentation requirements for owners who satisfy the requirements set out in the Maritime Code §. 1 third paragraph (EEA), not resident in Norway:

For companies: Management agreement confirming that the vessel is part of the owner’s economic activities established in Norway and that the vessel is operated from Norway. BIMCO’s standard agreement may be used. Please send to nis-nor@sdir.no. 

For companies and private individuals: Appoint a Norwegian Representative/Process Agent, Appointment of Process Agent.
The representative/process agent must declare fulfillment of the nationality requirements in the Norwegian Maritime Code § 1 by completing a “Declaration of Nationality” as described above. Please send both forms to nis-nor@sdir.no. 

In the event that the owner does not satisfy the requirements set out in the Maritime Code
Application for dispensation may be directed to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Maritime Department.

Company documentation for foreign shipowning companies in NIS and NOR

5. Is the vessel also changing name and/or home port?

Enter the changes in the notification form (see item no 3). Kindly note that simultaneous registration with new owner does not generate extra fees.

6. Is the vessel a fishing vessel?

A confirmation stating the registration number the Register of Norwegian Fishing Vessels must be produced.  An electronic copy sent directly from the Directorate of Fisheries to nis-nor@sdir.no will suffice

7. Are there to be registered new mortgages against the vessel?

Provided that the original mortgage has been received by the Department of Ship Registration it may be registered simultaneously with the new owner.

8. Registration fees as of 1 January 2026

NOK 2 656, - per consent from a mortgagee
NOK 2 124, - for Bill of Sale (including simultaneous change of name and/or home port)
NOK 3 101, - for each new mortgage to be registered against the vessel

An invoice will be sent out after registration has taken place. To ensure correct invoicing we kindly ask the recipient to fill in this form: Payment information for the formal registrations in NIS/NOR/BYGG.. If the PDF version is chosen, please send a signed copy to nis-nor@sdir.no.

In addition (and if applicable), there will be charged initial- and annual fees according to the ship's NET as well as fees for dispensation applications and certain certificates ref. the Tariff of Fees and Fees Regulations. 

9. Certificate of Nationality/Registry

The certificate will be issued upon request from the new owner, or automatically renewed if one has previously been issued in the former owner's name

10. Managing company according to the Ship Safety and Security Act

The act of 16 February 2007 No. 9 relating to ship safety and security § 2 defines which vessels are covered. If the owner delegates the responsibility for operations, the owner shall inform the NMA, ref. § 5. You will find the Act on this page: Acts.
The form Managing Company the Ship Safety Act is to be signed by both the new owner and the manager, and a copy sent to nis-nor@sdir.no. After registration has taken place a color scan of the endorsed form will be sent to the ISM liable company per e-mail to be kept on board.

11. Language and submission of the documents

All documents, notarial statements, etc. must be issued in one of the Scandinavian languages, English or translated by a licensed translator re. the regulations on registration of ships in the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR) § 17.

Original title- and mortgage documents
We kindly ask that these are not sent for deposit at the register more than maximum 3 week prior to planned registration. Sender is kindly asked to include a statement to this effect.
If registration does not take place within this time, the original documents will be returned to sender without registration.

Radio license

The current radio license will be automatically transferred to the new owner upon registration of the change of ownership in the Ship Register. The license will then be available in My Vessels to all who are registered with an active role for the vessel. The license number can also be verified here: radiolicense.sdir.no.

Please contact us and we will guide you through the registration process
Phone: (+ 47) 52 74 50 00
nis-nor@sdir.no