Seafarer certification

Certificate application processing and Christmas/New Year period

We are experiencing high volumes of applications approaching the end of the year. 

We want to let you know that we will continue to assess applications in the order we receive them. However, as we are currently receiving a large volume of applications, we cannot guarantee these will be processed before our offices close for the Christmas/New Year period.

Our cutoff date for sending physical certificates by courier to applicants is Friday 13 December, 2024. This will ensure they will be delivered over the Christmas/New Year period. 

All Maritime NZ offices, including vessel and operator certification and ship registration services, will be closed from midday on Tuesday 24 December, 2024 and will reopen on Wednesday 8 January, 2025.

Service timeframes

- Seafarer licensing

We are working hard to assess your application as soon as possible. 

Over the past year, we have put in place a number of initiatives to ensure that the application process is as effective and efficient as possible. We are also processing more applications than ever before. The volume of applications we have received this year has increased. There are a number of reasons for this, including increased course numbers, a view that more people may be taking the opportunity to upgrade their certificates, and the five-yearly renewal peak for a number of domestic certificates. 

This means that although we are more efficient, because demand is so high it is taking longer for applications to reach the front of the queue for assessment.

Currently, for seafarer certification applications, we advise applying 8 weeks ahead of the time that you require your certificate.

- Operator licensing 

Processing times for operator certificates vary depending upon the type of certificate. We recommend you allow a minimum of 8 weeks for any applications, with more complex applications, such as those related to safety management systems or new operations which may require site visits and technical assessments, likely to require up to 12 weeks.

- Ship registration 

Ship registration processing times vary between 10 days and 6 weeks depending upon the type of transaction. 

Please speak to us for further information about your application type and likely processing times. 

- Exemptions 

We assess all applications for an exemption from maritime and marine protection rules with input from our technical, legal, and operational experts, as required. Each application is different, so there is no standard processing time but all exemption applications are processed efficiently. As the applicant is seeking to be exempt in some way from complying with a legislative requirement, assessing these applications does, and should, take a reasonable amount of time.

To assist with minimising the processing time of your exemption application, please ensure that you have included detailed information to support your application. You should also be prepared to discuss your exemption request with our experts, so be alert for contact from us. If you have held a similar exemption in the past, you should also provide us with information about how you have implemented and monitored the exemption over time.

Ways you can help us minimise processing times

There are some things you can do to assist us with minimising the processing time for your application:

• Use the checklist in the application form to ensure that you have included all the required information, and that you have used the correct application form. It is best to use the application form directly from the website when submitting, rather than relying on printed forms that may be out-of-date.
• Include all the information required for the Fit and Proper Person check. Please visit maritimenz.govt.nz/fit-and-proper to find out more about what you need to provide.
• If your application is handwritten, please make sure you print clearly to avoid transcription errors.
• If you are emailing us your application form, double-check the email address used, keep any file attachments below 25MB, and check to ensure that you have received an automatic email acknowledging receipt. Sending us an email does not guarantee that we have received it.
• If your seafarer application requires you to send us photographs, please check that these meet the requirements described in the seafarer certificate application form
• Keep an eye out for emails from us, as we may contact you asking for further information. Add the appropriate Maritime NZ email address to your contact list:
  • seafarers@maritimenz.govt.nz
  • operators@maritimenz.govt.nz
  • ship.registration@maritimenz.govt.nz
  • exemptions.officer@maritimenz.govt.nz
• When we have all the required information for your application, we will send you an invoice. Please check your email for the invoice and pay promptly. Not paying your invoice promptly can cause further delays.

Some applications will take longer than others to process

Sometimes we need to look at particular aspects of the application to ensure that people entering the maritime workforce are able to carry out their work in a way that is safe, secure, clean and sustainable.

This might be where:

• you are applying to us for the first time
• you live with a medical condition that may be relevant to your ability to carry out work
• your application includes information that requires further review from one of our specialists (for example, you may have an unusual mix of sea service or be applying for recognition of an international qualification)
• your Ministry of Justice check includes information that may be of concern.

Where we think your application will take longer to process, we will contact you to advise you of this and the reasons why.

Pre-assessments discontinued

Maritime NZ is no longer offering a pre-assessment service for sea service. 

Please apply for the seafarer certificate you need – you do not have to wait for a sea service pre-assessment. We will review your sea service as part of your application and there is no additional charge for that.

If you are planning to apply for a seafarer certificate soon, we encourage you to download the relevant form and apply before long. Please note any fees are non-refundable should your application be unsuccessful.

Application forms can be found here

Physical certificate – passport booklet change