Seaman's Book Requirements: MARINA's Checklist
Maritime Industry Authority · seafaring
Quick answer
MARINA asks for the old SIRB, SRB or SID; a valid NBI clearance; a Certificate of Completion of Basic Training or a Certificate of Proficiency; a Certificate of Sea Service from a Licensed Manning Agency; a notarised Affidavit of Loss if applicable; and one documentary stamp for an SRB.
Last verified
Where these figures come from
About these figures: the numbers below come from MARINA's official published sources: Maritime Industry Authority | Citizen's Charter 2026 (1st Edition) (https://marina.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-MARINA-CITIZENS-CHARTER-1ST-EDITION.pdf, retrieved 2026-09-01). Agencies change fees and rates without notice, so confirm with MARINA before you rely on them. Last verified: 2026-09-01.
MARINA’s checklist for a seaman’s book is six items, and two of them come from outside MARINA entirely.
The six requirements
| # | Requirement | Copies | Where MARINA says to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old SIRB, SRB or SID, where applicable | Original and 1 photocopy | MARINA |
| 2 | Valid NBI Clearance | Original and 1 photocopy | NBI |
| 3 | Certificate of Completion of Basic Training, or a Certificate of Proficiency | Original and 1 photocopy | MARINA-accredited Maritime Training Institution, or MARINA |
| 4 | Certificate of Sea Service, or the entry in a previous SIRB or SRB | Original and 1 photocopy | Licensed Manning Agency |
| 5 | Duly notarised Affidavit of Loss, where applicable | Original | Notary public |
| 6 | Documentary stamp, for an SRB only | 1 piece | BIR |
Item 6 catches people out: it is required for the Record Book but not the Identification Document, and both cost the same ₱1,000.00.
The two that come from other agencies
| Requirement | Published cost | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| NBI clearance | ₱130.00 plus ₱30.00, ₱160.00 in total | NBI clearance requirements |
| NBI clearance, delivered | ₱200.00 in NCR, ₱350.00 outside, in 5 working days or 7 to 10 working days | NBI clearance renewal |
| Documentary stamp | No amount published by MARINA | BIR |
If you are ordering the NBI clearance for delivery rather than collecting it, budget 7 to 10 working days outside NCR before the MARINA appointment.
MARINA’s published fees
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID), new or renewal | ₱1,000.00 |
| Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB), new or renewal | ₱1,000.00 |
| Onboard processing, SRB or SID | ₱1,800.00 |
| Certificate of Proficiency (COP), each | ₱130.00 |
| Certificate of Competency (COC), each | ₱530.00 |
| Payment channel | Convenience fee | Total on a ₱1,000.00 SRB |
|---|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | 1.8% plus ₱35.00 | ₱1,053.00 |
| Cash | ₱50.00 | ₱1,050.00 |
| E-money | ₱50.00 | ₱1,050.00 |
| Online banking | ₱50.00 | ₱1,050.00 |
The expedite route
MARINA publishes a faster path with its own four requirements.
| # | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letter request for expedite processing | Licensed Manning Agency |
| 2 | Confirmed electronic tickets | Airline company |
| 3 | Approved POEA contract, or a notarised company contract | Licensed Manning Agency |
| 4 | Confirmed online appointment | MARINA Online Appointment System |
MARINA does not publish a separate expedite fee on the documents read for this guide, so none is stated here.
Certificate applications ask for different things
The COP and COC checklists are separate from the book, and they accept scanned or digital copies rather than originals.
| Requirement, COP in Basic Training | Where |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Training Completion in Revised Basic Training, or old Basic Training plus updating training on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities | MARINA-accredited Maritime Training Institutions |
| Proof of identity | Applicant |
| Valid Medical Certificate in PEME format | DOH-accredited Medical Facility for Overseas Workers and Seafarers |
| 2x2 coloured picture in white polo with white background | Applicant |
A COP in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats adds approved seagoing service of not less than 6 months. The COP guide covers the certificates, and the STCW guide the convention behind them.
What the whole set costs
| Item | Published fee |
|---|---|
| SRB or SID | ₱1,000.00 |
| Convenience fee, cash | ₱50.00 |
| NBI clearance | ₱160.00 |
| Certificate of Proficiency | ₱130.00 |
| Certificate of Competency | ₱530.00 |
| National Police Clearance | ₱150.00 |
| PSA birth certificate, viewable online | ₱130.00 |
| Rough total, book plus one COC and one COP | ₱2,150.00 |
What this page does not cover
MARINA does not publish, on the documents read for this guide, the documentary stamp amount, an expedite fee, the validity of a Basic Training certificate, a list of accredited Maritime Training Institutions with prices, or what counts as sufficient proof of identity. None of those are stated here.
Related
The seaman’s book guide covers fees and the process. The renewal guide covers renewing. The appointment guide covers booking.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the requirements for a seaman's book?
- MARINA lists six: the old SIRB, SRB or SID where applicable; a valid NBI Clearance; a Certificate of Completion of Basic Training or a Certificate of Proficiency; a Certificate of Sea Service or the entry in a previous book; a duly notarised Affidavit of Loss where applicable; and one documentary stamp for an SRB only.
- How many copies do I bring?
- Each of the first five is listed as the original and one photocopy. The documentary stamp is one piece.
- Where do I get the certificate of sea service?
- MARINA names the Licensed Manning Agency as the source, or the entry in the pages of your previous SIRB or SRB.
- Do I need an NBI clearance?
- Yes, valid, in original and one photocopy. It costs ₱130.00 plus a ₱30.00 e-payment convenience fee, ₱160.00 in total, and delivery adds ₱200.00 within NCR or ₱350.00 outside.
- What if I lost my old book?
- MARINA's checklist includes a duly notarised Affidavit of Loss in original, secured from a notary public, where applicable.
- What does the expedite route require?
- Four things: a letter request for expedite processing from the Licensed Manning Agency, confirmed electronic tickets from the airline company, an approved POEA contract or notarised company contract, and a confirmed online appointment.
- What does a Certificate of Proficiency application need?
- For Basic Training: a Certificate of Training Completion in Revised Basic Training, or old Basic Training plus updating training on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, from a MARINA-accredited Maritime Training Institution; proof of identity; a valid Medical Certificate in PEME format from a DOH-accredited facility; and a 2x2 coloured picture in white polo with white background.
- Are scanned copies accepted?
- For the certificate applications, yes. MARINA's COP and COC checklists specify scanned or digital copies. The SRB and SID checklist asks for originals plus photocopies.