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How to get a Seaman's Book (SIRB)

The old Seaman's Book (SIRB) was split into two papers. The SRB is a booklet that records your sea service. The SID is an ID card that other countries accept, so you can go ashore or travel through their ports without a visa.

Seaman's Book (SIRB)
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) SID and SRB service banner, marina.gov.ph

The three ways to get it

Online

Partly

Appointment only, so this is partial, not fully online. Since 13 May 2026 all SID and SRB appointments (new, renewal and replacement) must go through the eGovPH app.

The old booking site sidsrb.marina.gov.ph is the system the 2026 Citizen's Charter still describes, so check both if eGovPH is down. You always have to appear in person for photo, fingerprints and signature, and to get the book or card.

  1. Download the eGovPH app from the App Store, Google Play or AppGallery, or go to e.gov.ph.
  2. Register and verify your identity in eGovPH.
  3. Open the MARINA service inside eGovPH and pick SID, SRB, or both.
  4. Choose the transaction type (new, renewal, replacement, onboard), your seafarer type, and the MARINA processing site you want to visit.
  5. Pick a date and time that is open.
  6. Fill in your information. You can upload your papers, or bring the originals plus photocopies on the day.
  7. Choose how to pay, then generate the payment reference number.
  8. Pay within 48 hours at a partner payment outlet, or online. If you do not pay in 48 hours the appointment is cancelled automatically.
  9. Check your email for the Online Appointment Confirmation Form. Print it.
  10. Go to the processing centre on your date with the printed form, the originals and the photocopies.

Walk-in

Not on its own

MARINA has warned seafarers about scalpers who sell appointment slots. Slots are free.

Only book through eGovPH or your licensed manning agency.

  1. There is no walk-in. MARINA will turn you away without a confirmed appointment.
  2. Book through the eGovPH app first, pay, print the confirmation, then go.
  3. MARINA has opened slots up to December 2026 and added Saturday slots at the central office, so keep checking - free slots open when other people cancel.

Representative

Partly

MARINA's 2026 Citizen's Charter says it directly at the releasing step: for an authorized representative, MARINA requires an authorization letter plus the valid ID of the applicant and of the authorized person. If you are already on board a ship, your licensed manning agency can do the whole onboard application for you - that is what onboard processing is for.

  1. You must appear in person for the application, the photo and the fingerprints. Nobody can do that for you.
  2. For claiming the finished SRB or SID, you can send someone.
  3. Write an authorization letter naming that person.
  4. Give them a photocopy of your valid ID and have them bring their own valid ID.
  5. They present the authorization letter and both IDs at the releasing counter and sign the signature pad.

What to bring

  • NEW - PSA authenticated birth certificate or a valid Philippine passport (original and 1 photocopy)
  • NEW - Valid NBI clearance (original and 1 photocopy)
  • NEW - PSA authenticated marriage contract, for a married woman (original and 1 photocopy)
  • NEW - Certificate of Completion of Basic Training (BT) or a Certificate of Proficiency (original and 1 photocopy)
  • NEW - One BIR documentary stamp, for the SRB only
  • Renewal or replacement - Old SIRB, SRB or SID (original and 1 photocopy)
  • Renewal or replacement - Valid NBI clearance, marriage contract if applicable, and Basic Training certificate
  • Renewal or replacement - Certificate of sea service, or the sea service entries in your old SIRB or SRB (original and 1 photocopy)
  • Lost - Notarized Affidavit of Loss (original)
  • Onboard (through your agency) - Letter request from the company or agency, approved employment contract, crew list signed by the Master, clearance of no pending case from MARINA Legal Service, affidavit by the seafarer confirmed by the Master, and a notarized company affidavit of undertaking
  • Expedite - Letter request for expedite processing, confirmed e-ticket, approved contract, and the confirmed online appointment
  • Printed online appointment confirmation form, plus a photocopy of every requirement

The details

Who can apply

Filipino seafarers who are at least 18 years old. Cadets who are at least 16 can get an SRB, but only for shipboard training.

You need a Basic Training certificate or a Certificate of Proficiency. Old SIRBs stay valid until they expire and can be used to apply for a SID.

Cost

SID, new or renewal: PHP 1,000. SRB, new or renewal: PHP 1,000.

Onboard processing (for seafarers already on a ship, done through the manning agency): PHP 1,800. On top of that you pay a convenience fee for the payment channel: credit or debit card 1.8% plus PHP 35, or PHP 50 for cash, e-money and online banking.

You also buy one BIR documentary stamp for the SRB. Expedite (rush) processing exists for seafarers with a confirmed plane ticket and an approved contract, but MARINA's 2026 Citizen's Charter lists no extra government fee for it - it only moves you ahead in the queue. Note: MARINA's older FAQ page still shows PHP 600 for a SID. The PHP 1,000 in the 2026 Citizen's Charter is the current amount.

How long it takes

Same day, if your papers are complete. MARINA's 2026 Citizen's Charter gives a total of 2 hours 8 minutes for regular processing, 2 hours 27 minutes for expedite, and 2 hours 33 minutes for onboard.

The hard part is not the processing, it is getting an appointment slot.

How long it lasts

SRB
10 years.
SID
5 years.

An SRB given to a cadet under 18 is good for 3 years only and is for training.

Tips

  • The single Seaman's Book (SIRB) is not printed anymore - MARINA stopped in November 2019. If someone offers you a new SIRB, it is fake. You get an SRB, a SID, or both.
  • Book the SRB and the SID in the same appointment. It is one trip and one queue instead of two.
  • MARINA suspended the PHP 10,000 penalty for expired SIRB, SID and SRB on 29 April 2026 while it reviews the rule, and said wrongly collected payments will be refunded. Do not pay a PHP 10,000 fine to anyone without checking the current MARINA advisory first.
  • Your name on the birth certificate, passport, NBI clearance and training certificate must all match. A different middle name is the usual reason people get sent home.
  • Pay within 48 hours of booking or your slot is cancelled and you go back to the queue.

Sources