Get a seaman’s discharge book or British seaman’s card

How to apply

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

Apply by post

It costs £40 to apply for a British seaman’s card and £40 to apply for a discharge book. 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 £90 for a British seaman’s card and £90 for a discharge book.

Seaman’s discharge book

A seaman’s discharge book is a full record of a seaman’s 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 don’t need a discharge book if you’re employed:

• on a ship that doesn’t go to sea
• on a pleasure boat and don’t 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 un-registered ship

British seaman’s card

A British seaman’s 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 don’t 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.