AMO Currents - Coast Guard posts instructions for mailing merchant mariner credential applications to RECs, fee structure associated with MMC

AMO Currents - Posted: March 31, 2009

Coast Guard posts instructions for mailing merchant mariner credential applications to RECs, fee structure associated with MMC

Under the Coast Guard final rule on the merchant mariner credential, effective April 15, 2009, mariners will be able to submit credential applications by mail, provided they have already applied for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Fingerprints, proof of identity and a photograph are obtained through the TWIC application process and will be used by the Coast Guard for processing MMC applications. A Coast Guard bulletin explaining the mail-in application process and requirements is available online.

Also, beginning April 15, applications for multiple credentials submitted together will be charged a single issuance fee. For those mariners who have multiple credentials with varying expiration dates, the consolidation into a single credential will eliminate the repetition of multiple issuance fees in the long term. A bulletin explaining the new fee structure is available online.

To mail in an application, mariners must:

Meet the professional requirements of the application
Obtain a TWIC
Assemble the application package in accordance with the Application Acceptance Checklist available online
Pay user fees, preferably through Pay.gov
Mail the application package to one of 17 Regional Examination Centers (RECs). Mariners should not mail the application to the National Maritime Center, as this will significantly delay the processing of an application

Original applicants needing to take the Merchant Marine Oath may do so either at an REC in person or have the oath administered by any notary.