You can apply in person (by appointment) at your local Marine Costguard Agency office (MCA) .
Aberdeen 020 3817 2001
Download an application form for a British seaman’s card or discharge book – click here.
Apply by post
It costs £55 to apply for a British seaman’s card and £55 to apply for a discharge book.
You can also apply through the 24-hour premium service. This costs £105 to apply for a British seaman’s card and £105 to apply for a discharge book, or £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 £105 for a British seaman’s card and £105 for a discharge book, or £160 for both.
To apply in person you must have an appointment with a Marine Office. There are telephone numbers on the form.
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 do not need a discharge book if you’re 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’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 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)
Download an application form for a British seaman’s card or discharge book – click here.