The seafarer's book records your registration in the maritime profession. Your sea service is entered in it, and promotion and certificate applications rest on it. Without one you cannot join a commercial vessel — this is where the process starts.
Where the application is made
Applications are handled electronically. According to the port authority's own guidance, you sign in through e-Devlet and two addresses are used: gemiadami.uab.gov.tr and e-denizcilik.uab.gov.tr. You do not need to visit a port authority in person for the first step; you open your account and create the application there.
What is asked for
The list published by the port authority includes:
- A “document request letter in place of a passport” from the civil registry office
- A biometric photograph taken within the last six months
- A signature specimen
- A current mobile number and email address
This is not an exhaustive list: additional documents may be required depending on your education, the certificate you are applying for, and whether you have served at sea before. You will see the full list for your own case in the application system and on the page of the port authority you are registered with. This article is a starting point, not a replacement for the official list.
The medical report
Seafarer medical examination documents are issued by the Seafarer Health Centres and Coastal Health Inspection Centres under Türkiye's Directorate General of Border and Coastal Health. A report from any hospital is not accepted; you must go to an authorised centre. The examination covers sight, hearing and general health.
The report's validity period is announced separately on official pages and can change, so we do not state a period here. Check the centre's own guidance before booking.
Fees
Once your application is marked complete, the amounts due appear in the system and payment is made at Halkbank branches. Amounts are updated annually, so we do not quote a figure — you will see the current amount on the system's own screen.
Three common mistakes
- Getting the medical report from an unauthorised institution. The report is not accepted and the process restarts.
- A photograph that is not biometric, or is older than six months.
- Not checking the remaining validity of your passport. Foreign-flag vessels expect validity well beyond the contract length; people wait on the passport even when the book is ready.
What comes next
The book alone is not enough. STCW basic training is also required to join a commercial vessel, and which courses are mandatory for you depends on the position and certificate. Once your documents are complete, the next step is position matching and application.