What Is a CRIS Number and Do I Need It to Sell My Caravan?

If you're selling a touring caravan, you'll almost certainly be asked for its CRIS number — here's exactly what that means and why it matters.

What CRIS stands for

CRIS stands for the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme. It's the touring caravan equivalent of a car's V5C logbook. Every touring caravan manufactured since 1992 should have one: a 17-digit code etched onto every window of the caravan, and recorded on a CRIS certificate that should have been issued when the caravan was new, or handed over to you when you bought it second-hand.

Why it matters when selling

The CRIS certificate proves you're the registered owner, confirms the caravan's identity, and reassures a buyer that the vehicle hasn't been stolen. It isn't a legal requirement to have it in order to sell — but not having it will knock buyer confidence, and it can affect the price you're offered.

Lost your CRIS certificate?

You can apply for a replacement at cris.co.uk for a small fee. It's worth sorting before you sell, since it will almost certainly increase the value of your caravan and speed up the sale.

Selling with Red Lion

We ask for your CRIS number as part of our valuation process — if you're not sure where to find it on your caravan, just call us and we'll talk you through it. We've been buying touring caravans across Southport, Lancashire, and Merseyside for over 40 years, with free home collection anywhere in the North West.

Get a free valuation · Call 01704 889973

Got more questions? See our full caravan and motorhome selling FAQ.