Seafarers Identity Documents rules 2026

The Gazette of India

CG-DL-E-13072026-274434

EXTRAORDINARY

PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 526] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026/ASHADHA 16, 1948

MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 6th July, 2026

G.S.R. 584(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (c) and (ze) of sub-section

(2) of section 113 read with clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025) and in supersession of the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Bio-metric Identity Document) Rules, 2016, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely: —

Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Identity Document) Rules, 2026.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

— Unless otherwise specified, these rules shall apply to, —
- any seafarer who is a citizen of India and in possession of a valid Indian continuous discharge certificate; and
- a seafarer who has been granted the status of permanent resident in India, if any, and such other person possessing such documents as may be notified by the Central
— (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, —
- “Act” means the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025);
- “continuous discharge certificate” means a continuous discharge certificate issued in accordance with the applicable rules made under the Act;
- “convention” means the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185).
- “Form” means the Form annexed to these rules;
- “issuing authority” means shipping master as defined in clause (61) of section 3 of the Act;
- “Schedule” means the Schedule annexed to these rules;
- “seafarer’s identity document” means a seafarer’s identity document issued under these rules;
- “ship owner” means ship owner as defined in clause (c) of section 55 of the Act; and
- “seafarer’s identity document e-module” means a web-based system set up and maintained by the Director-General for, —
  - facilitating submission of applications for issuance, renewal and replacement of seafarer’s identity document and facilitating other processes under these rules; and
  - preserving, retaining and granting access to secure electronic records relating to such applications and certificates.

(2) Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined, but defined in the Act shall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

Application for issuance of seafarer’s identity document. — (1) An applicant desirous of obtaining seafarer’s identity document shall apply in the Form-I through the seafarer’s identity document e-module and pay the fee as specified in Schedule, to the issuing authority wherein the applicant shall select available dates and data collection centre of their choice.

The applicant shall appear on the appointed date and time at the data collection centre, along with their continuous discharge certificate or such other documents notified by the Central Government under clause (b) of rule 2 and original passport.
The verification officer in the office of the issuing authority shall verify the application with the continuous discharge certificate records available in the office of issuing authority in advance of the appointment date of the applicant.
After collecting biometric data, the issuing authority shall print and issue the seafarer’s identity document in Form-II through the seafarer’s identity document e-module within thirty days from the date of application.
The seafarer’s identity document shall be dispatched to the address provided by the applicant in their application through speed post.

Provided that in urgent cases, the issuing authority may deliver the seafarer’s identity document to the applicant in person, upon production of documentary proof of urgency or vessel joining requirements from the ship owner.

In case the seafarer’s identity document is returned undelivered to the office of the issuing authority, the applicant may collect the same in person from the office of the issuing authority with proper identification or documentation.
In case an applicant does not receive the seafarer’s identity document within a period of one year from the date of issuance, the issued seafarer’s identity document shall be cancelled by the issuing authority.
In case any of the criteria specified in rule 2 is not fulfilled, the issuing authority shall reject the application for issuance of seafarer’s identity document.
The seafarer’s identity document shall remain in the holder’s possession at all times, except when it is held for safe keeping by the master of the vessel concerned, with the holder’s written

Period of validity. — A seafarer’s identity document issued under these rules shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of its issuance or renewal.
Renewal of seafarer’s identity — (1) Where any seafarer is already in possession of a seafarer’s identity document issued under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Bio-metric Identity Document) Rules, 2016 having a validity period of ten years, such seafarer may apply for renewal after the first five years of its issuance for a further period up to five years at a time in Form-III accompanied by the continuous discharge certificate and pay the fee as specified in Schedule.

Where a seafarer’s identity document is issued under rule 4, any application for renewal of seafarer’s identity document may be made within eighteen months prior to the date of expiry or at any time after the date of its expiry.
A seafarer’s identity document holder shall apply for renewal in Form-III, accompanied by the continuous discharge certificate or such other documents notified by the Central

Government under clause (b) of rule 2, through the seafarer’s identity document e-module following the process in rule 4 and pay the fee as specified in Schedule.

Issuance of duplicate seafarer’s identity document. — (1) Where a seafarer’s identity document is lost in India, the seafarer’s identity document holder may apply to the concerned issuing authority in Form-III through the seafarer’s identity document e-module along with a copy of the police compliant and fee as specified in Schedule for issuance of a duplicate copy of seafarer’s identity document.

Where a seafarer’s identity document is lost on-board vessel, the seafarer’s identity document holder may apply to the concerned issuing authority in Form-III through the seafarer’s identity document e-module along with the enquiry report, official logbook entries, and fee as specified in Schedule for the issuance of a duplicate copy of seafarer’s identity
Where a seafarer’s identity document is lost under extraordinary circumstances and the logbook entry or other required documents are not available due to due circumstances which are beyond the control of the concerned seafarer’s identity document holder or master of the vessel, the seafarer’s identity document holder may apply to the concerned issuing authority in Form-III through the seafarer’s identity document e-module along with the documentary evidence submitted by the Flag State or by the ship owner, and the fee as specified in Schedule for the issuance of a duplicate copy of seafarer’s identity document.
The seafarer’s identity document number shall remain unchanged in the duplicate copy of the seafarer’s identity document:

Provided that in case of loss of a certificate due to fire on board a vessel or due to any other marine peril, no such fee shall be charged.

Issuance of replacement seafarer’s identity document. — (1) Where a seafarer’s identity document is defaced, destroyed, lost, mutilated or torn, the holder may apply to the issuing authority in Form-III through the seafarer’s identity document e-module for the issuance of a replacement seafarer’s identity document along with a fee as specified in Schedule.

An application for alteration or modification of any particulars in the existing seafarer’s identity document shall be in Form-III through the seafarer’s identity document e-module, accompanied by a valid passport and any other necessary documents issued by the Central Government or State Government.
The applicant shall submit the existing seafarer’s identity document prior to the issuance of the replacement seafarer’s identity document.
The seafarer’s identity document number shall remain unchanged in the replacement seafarer’s identity document.

Suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of a seafarer’s identity document. — (1) The Director-General may, under sub-section (3) of section 98 of the Act, direct the issuing authority to withhold the seafarer’s identity document for such period as may be specified in such direction.

Where a seafarer is convicted of an offence under sub-section (1) of section 100 of the Act in case of smuggling of goods, the Director-General may direct the issuing authority that the seafarer’s identity document of such seafarer be cancelled or suspended, as the case may be, for such period as may be specified in the direction.
The seafarers’ identity document shall be promptly withdrawn by the issuing authority if it is ascertained that the seafarer’s identity document holder no longer meets the criteria specified in rule 2.
In case of any report of death or disappearance of a seafarers’ identity document holder, the seafarers’ identity document may be cancelled by the concerned issuing authority.
In case of cancellation of continuous discharge certificate, the seafarers’ identity document shall be cancelled by the concerned issuing authority.
Every order for cancellation, withdrawal or suspension shall be issued by way of a reasoned order in writing and sent by the issuing authority to the seafarer’s identity document holder, all other issuing authorities in India and the Director-General.
No order under this rule shall be passed unless the seafarer’s identity document holder has been given an opportunity of being heard.
A person whose seafarer’s identity document is cancelled shall be debarred from applying for renewal of seafarer’s identity document for such period as may be specified by the issuing authority in the order for cancellation.

Surrender of a seafarers’ identity document. — (1) In case of permanent disablement, the seafarers’ identity document holder shall surrender their seafarers’ identity document to the issuing authority immediately upon the payment of compensation, after which the issuing authority shall cancel the same by way of endorsement and return such cancelled continuous discharge certificate to such person.

(2) If a seafarers’ identity document holder wishes to discontinue the sea-going service and requests for cancellation of their seafarers’ identity document, the holder shall surrender their seafarers’ identity document to the issuing authority, after which the issuing authority shall cancel the same by way of endorsement and return such cancelled continuous discharge certificate to such person.

11. Recognition and facilitation of seafarers’ identity document issued under the convention.

— Subject to public health, public safety, public order or national security considerations, a valid seafarer’s identity document possessed by a person, Indian or otherwise, issued in accordance with the convention shall be recognised for the purposes of entry, shore leave, transit and transfer.

Quality control and evaluations. — The Director-General shall ensure that seafarers’ identity documents are issued through a secure and quality-controlled system in accordance with article 5 of the convention.

— (1) The fees payable under these rules shall be such as specified in Schedule or such other fees as the Central Government may, by notification, specify.

(2) Fees shall be payable to the issuing authority through the seafarer’s identity document e-module.

Administrative appeal — (1) Any person aggrieved by any order of the issuing authority under these rules, may, within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of such order, prefer an appeal to the jurisdictional principal officer.

The principal officer shall dispose of such appeal within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the appeal.
No order shall be passed under this rule unless the parties have been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
Every appeal made under this rule shall be accompanied by a copy of the order appealed

Schedule Fees

[See rules 4(1), 6(1), 6(3), 7(1), 7(2), 7(3), 8(1), 13(1)]

Sr. No.	Particulars	Amount in Indian rupees (INR)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1	Application for issuance of seafarer’s identity document.	3000/-
2	Application for renewal of seafarer’s identity document.	3000/-
3	Application for duplicate seafarer’s identity document.	3000/-
4	Application for replacement or alteration seafarer’s identity document.	3000/-

FORM-I

[See sub-rule (1) of rule 4]

Application Form for seafarer’s identity document

Application : (online system generated No.)
Fee details:
Indian National Database of Seafarer : Date of Issue:
Continuous discharge certificate or such documents as may be notified by the Central Government under clause (ii) of rule 2:

Date of Issue:

Date of expiry:

Issuing Authority:

Name:
Father’s name:
Sex:
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
Nationality:
E-mail address:
Mobile:
Height:
Identification Mark (if any):
Address:

Street:

Village or Post or Tehsil:

District:

Pin code:

Phone No:

Nearest Police Station:

Have you applied for a seafarer’s identity document before:
Have you ever been at any time debarred from obtaining:
1. Continuous discharge certificate:
2. Seafarer’s identity document:

Signature: ………………………. Date: …………………….

Declaration

I hereby declare that all the statements made in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed or distorted.
I also affirm and declare that I have not previously been issued with seafarers’ identity document and I have not submitted an application for seafarers’ identity document to any other issuing authority in India.
I am aware that if any time I am found to have concealed or distorted any material in formation and the issuing authority has reason to believe that I have obtained the seafarers’ identity document by presenting false or erroneous information, my seafarers’ identity document will be cancelled, withheld or suspended forthwith as per the provisions contained in the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Identify Document) Rules, 2026.

Place:……………… Signature of the applicant ………………

Date: ……………………. Name of the applicant ………………………..

FORM-II

[See sub-rule (4) of rule 4]

Form of issuance of seafarer’s identity document

FRONT

Photo

Name ………………………………

Nationality ………………. Sex ………. Date of Birth ……………………

Place of Birth …………………………….

Identifying Characteristics ………………………………………

Document No. …………………………… Date of Issue …………………….

Date of Expiry ……………………… Place of Issue ……………………

Signature ……………………………

BACK

This document is a seafarer’s identity document for the purpose of the Seafarers’ Identity Document Convention (Revised), 2003, of the International Labour Organisation. This document is a stand-alone document and not a passport.

Mumbai Issuing authority contact details

Phone no: URL: www.dgshipping.gov.in

XXXXXXXX<<<<<<<<<<<<<XXXXXXXXIND<<<<<NAME<<SURNAME<<<<<<<<

FORM-III

(See rules 6, 7 and 8)

Application form for the issuance of renewal or duplicate or replacement of seafarer’s identity document

Application : (online system-generated No.)
Application for:
1. Renewal of seafarer’s identity document:
2. Duplicate seafarer’s identity document:
3. Replacement seafarer’s identity document:
Fee details:
Indian National Database of Seafarer Date of issue
Continuous discharge certificate or such documents as may be notified by the Central Government under clause (ii) of rule 2:

Date of Issue:

Date of expiry:

Issuing Authority:

Seafarer’s identity document : Date of issue:

Date of expiry: Issuing Authority:

Name:

Have you ever been at any time debarred from obtaining-
1. Continuous discharge certificate:
2. Seafarer’s identity document :
Has your seafarer’s identity document been cancelled or withdrawn or suspended under these rules:
Details of modification of any particulars in your seafarer’s identity document:
Whether your seafarer’s identity document is:
1. defaced:
2. destroyed:
3. lost:
4. mutilated:
5. torn:
In case of seafarer’s identity document is lost (as may be applicable):
1. Complaint :

Date:

Police Station:

Enquiry report:
Official logbook entry:
Documentary evidence submitted by the flag State or by the ship owner:

Signature : ………………………………….. Date:

……………………………..

Declaration

I hereby declare that all the statements made in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed or distorted.
I also affirm and declare that I have not submitted an application for seafarer’s identity document to any other issuing authority in India.
I am aware that if any time I am found to have concealed or distorted any material information and the issuing authority has reason to believe that I have obtained the seafarer’s identity document by presenting false or erroneous information, my seafarer’s identity document will be cancelled, withheld or suspended forthwith as per the provisions contained in the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Identity Document) Rules, 2026.

Place:…………………. Signature of the applicant…………………..

Date:………………….. Name of the applicant………………………

[F.No. SY-19014/197/2025-MG-Part(1)]

MUKESH MANGAL, Addl. Secy.

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