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How to apply

Download an application form for a British seaman鈥檚 card or discharge book.

Apply by post

It costs 拢55 to apply for a British seaman鈥檚 card and 拢55 to apply for a discharge book.

You can also apply through the 24-hour premium service. This costs 拢105 to apply for a British seaman鈥檚 card and 拢105 to apply for a discharge book, or 拢160 for both.

The form explains how to pay and where to send your application.

Apply in person

You can apply in person at your local Marine Office. It costs 拢105 for a British seaman鈥檚 card and 拢105 for a discharge book, or 拢160 for both.

Seaman鈥檚 discharge book

A seaman鈥檚 discharge book is a full record of a seaman鈥檚 career experience and certification.

You need a discharge book if you are either:

• a British citizen who works on ships or large yachts
• not a British citizen but employed on a UK-registered ship or large yacht

You do not need a discharge book if you鈥檙e employed:

• on a ship that does not go to sea
• on a pleasure boat and do not receive any pay
• only for the purpose of testing the ship, its machinery or equipment in UK coastal waters
• by the Crown and not normally employed as a master or seaman
• specifically for the construction, alteration, repair or testing of a ship
• on an unregistered ship

British seaman鈥檚 card

A British seaman鈥檚 card is an internationally accepted document which lets British seamen land at foreign ports without needing a visa. You must be a British citizen to apply for a card.

You do not need a card if you:

• work in a ship belonging to a general lighthouse authority
• receive little or no pay (but cadets can apply)

Contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) if you need help with your application.