Transferring Your MMSI from the Previous Owner

This article is an addendum to the earlier article on Registering Your Radios with the FCC. You may want to visit that article to fully understand what is being explained in this addendum.

Many thanks to Susan Ruse for digging out this information about how the new owner can re-use the MMSI number that the previous owner used. This is very valuable because it will save you from having to re-program the devices that came with the boat! Note that it might take some time so start this process even before the sale is final by talking to the current owner of the MMSI and agree on how the transfer is to be handled.

The best way to transfer to MMSI number is to have the previous owner cancel his license thus freeing up the MMSI for you. However you will then need to WAIT to apply for your license until the cancellation is completed. Once the MMSI number is released, you can then apply for the SA on the FCC site and there’s a place to put in the MMSI number you want to use! The only way the MMSI number will be assigned again is if someone requests that exact number.

There are three ways the previous owner can cancel:

1. Cancel online (this is recommended as the quickest and easiest)
2. Cancel with FCC Form 605 mail-in
3. Write a letter to the FCC requesting cancellation

Obviously you want to encourage your previous owner to cancel their fcc licenses on-line. This process is as follows:

1. Go to the FCC site and log in with your FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password.
2. If you are taken to the My Applications page after logging in, click the My Licenses link in the navigation menu on the left. Then click the Cancel License link to start the application.
3. Select the license(s), click the Add button and click the Continue button to navigate through the application.
4. Sign your application by typing your name in the boxes provided and click the Submit Application button.

If you choose to to mail the FCC instead use one of the two methods below.

File Form 605

FCC forms may be downloaded from the FCC Site. Completed forms should be mailed to:
Federal Communications Commission
1270 Fairfield Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325

OR Mail a Written and Signed Statement

Licensees can request a license cancellation by writing a letter. The letter should include the following information:

• Statement specifically making the request to “PLEASE CANCEL THE LICENSE”
• Call sign
• Licensee name
• FCC Registration Number (FRN)
• Reason for cancellation
• Signature of the licensee
• Title of licensee (if signature is for a non-individual)

This letter should be mailed to:
Federal Communications Commission
1270 Fairfield Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325