Membership FAQs

We offer different types of RNLI membership based on your interests. Take a look at our membership options right here.

You will receive a new welcome pack shortly after you join. It contains our new RNLI handbook, RNLI postcards, a copy of Lifeboat magazine, a welcome letter and membership card.

At present no there is no discount for RNLI members, but we are always reviewing our membership benefits and if this changes in the future we will communicate this to members.

If you wish to upgrade your membership level you can contact our Supporter Experience Team on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) and +44 1202 663234 (from any other country).

Advice on how to visit a lifeboat station can be found online at RNLI.org and there is also information in the new RNLI handbook. Members of the public are not allowed onto operational lifeboats as they must be ready to respond to shouts at any time.

Memberships last for 12 months and whether it automatically renews depends on how you pay. If you pay by monthly direct debit it would renew automatically. If you made a one off payment, you will receive a renewal invitation letter prior to your membership year ending.

Storm Force memberships are available for children, but at present we do not offer teenage or family memberships.

All membership levels offer a joint membership option, however at present you only receive one membership card. However, if your membership level (such as Governor) includes a badge then joint membership accounts receive two badges.

You can contact the RNLI and cancel at any time - monthly payments will cease at the point you cancel. If you’ve paid annually, we usually ensure you carry on receiving member benefits until your renewal date at which point the membership will stop unless you advise us otherwise.

We do not charge a cancellation fee for any memberships that are cancelled.

Should we change any costs of membership we will communicate this to our members. We continue to work hard to keep running costs to a minimum, to ensure our lifesavers have a vital funding base. However, should we decide to raise membership prices, it will be because it is a way we can help continue to run our lifesaving service.

Yes. You can boost your membership fee by 25p for every £1 you donate. 

To be eligible to sign up for Gift Aid you must be a UK taxpayer and understand that if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, it is your responsibility to pay any difference.

All we need from you is a single Gift Aid declaration, which will not only cover your future donations but also donations you have made for the past 4 years. To make your declaration, you can either:

• Call our Supporter Experience Team on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK)

• Download the RNLI Gift Aid donation form (PDF 574KB), complete it and send it back to: 'FREEPOST RNLI'. No stamp or other address details required. 

Please remember to inform us if you have changed your name and address, or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains tax, either by completing our online enquiry form or calling us on 0300 300 9990. Our Supporter Experience Team is available Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm, and will be happy to answer any of your queries or provide assistance.

Regular giving is a regular gift to the RNLI for which we are extremely grateful. People who generously donate in this way do not receive the various member benefits including the welcome pack, member exclusive communications such as Offshore, and certain rights such as Governor level members who can vote at the RNLI’s AGM. Regular giving starts at a minimum of £2 per month with our entry level Adult Membership starting at £4/€5 per month.

We can look into this for you. We’ll need a few details first so please get in touch by phone or by using our online enquiry form. 

At present we are unable to order replacements, but we are always reviewing our fulfilment processes.

Yes. Simply call us on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) and +44 1202 663234 (from any other country) and we’ll be more than happy to set up or renew your membership. Our Supporter Experience Team are available Monday–Friday between 8am and 6pm. 

You can make payment by debit or credit card or can set up a Direct Debit, so you will need these details available when you call. 

It’s easy to become an RNLI member online. See our membership options here.

To renew your RNLI membership, simply call us on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) and +44 1202 663234 (from any other country) and we will be more than happy to do this for you. Our Supporter Experience Team are available Monday–Friday between 8am and 6pm.

You can make payment by debit or credit card or can set up a Direct Debit, so you will need these details available when you call.

We can look into this for you. We’ll need a few details first, so please either call us 0300 300 9918 (from the UK), 01 511 9837 (from the Republic of Ireland) and +44 1202 663234 (from outside the UK) or by using our online enquiry form and our Supporter Experience Team will be happy to help you.

Our Supporter Experience Team are available Monday–Friday between 8am and 6pm. 

The address we hold for you is associated with your membership, so it’s important we have the correct information for you.

To update your address simply call us on 0300 300 9918 (from the UK), 01 511 9837 (from the Republic of Ireland) and +44 1202 663234 (from outside the UK) and we will be more than happy to do this for you. Our Supporter Experience Team are available Monday–Friday between 8am and 6pm. Alternatively you can email us on [email protected] quoting your supporter number and previous address.

We can arrange this for you, no problem at all. Please contact us online, by phone or by letter.

A new RNLI membership card is automatically sent to you with your renewal letter because this is more cost-effective.

If you pay for your subscription by Direct Debit, there is no action you need to take on receipt of your renewal letter, unless you wish to make any changes.

If you pay for your subscription by cheque or credit/debit card, you will need to contact us to make your membership renewal payment.

At present if you renew you will not receive a new welcome pack.

Yes you will.

The full welcome pack is only available to new members or if you upgrade from adult membership to Offshore or Governor.

The changes to the Shoreline membership programme have been based on feedback and research with members and future supporters alike. In regards to the name change, the overwhelming feedback was that supporters found it difficult to relate to the name and preferred something simple and accessible.