Apostille for Merchant Mariner Credentials

"Who apostilles a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential?"

"The USCG MMC is a federal document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. It must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by a state secretary of state. We coordinate federal apostilles through our Washington, D.C. courier service."

"Do STCW certificates need to be apostilled?"

"Yes. STCW certificates issued in the U.S. must be apostilled for recognition by foreign flag states and port state control authorities. The specific certificates required depend on your rank and the vessel flag state."

"How long does a federal apostille for a USCG MMC take?"

"Federal apostilles from the U.S. Department of State typically take 5-7 business days with expedited service, or 6-8 weeks with standard processing. We recommend starting at least 2-3 months before your vessel departure date."

"Can you apostille documents for mariners working on vessels flagged in Panama, Liberia, or the Bahamas?"

"Yes. Panama, Liberia, and the Bahamas are all Hague Convention members. We apostille documents for mariners working on vessels flagged in all Hague member countries."