Seafarer between contracts (sea-based OFW): your forms
A Filipino seaman or seafarer ashore between contracts who gets the papers ready before the manning agency deploys them again: a checklist of the seaman's book (SIRB, now the SRB and SID), COC and COP, the PEME, the contract and OEC, and contributions.
Forms in this pack: Seaman's book: the SRB and SID from MARINA; COC and COPs (Basic Training included); Pre-employment medical exam (PEME); NBI clearance, if one is asked for; Your contract and OEC / OFW Pass through the DMW; SSS number (E-1), if you have none; PhilHealth registration or update (PMRF); Pag-IBIG membership registration; OWWA membership; Special Power of Attorney for your family.
Seaman's book: the SRB and SID from MARINA: MARINA replaces the SIRB with a Seafarer's Record Book (SRB) and a Seafarer's Identity Document (SID). If your SIRB is valid for more than 6 months you need neither yet. Since 13 May 2026 appointments are made only through the eGovPH app (MARINA Advisory 2026-24).
COC and COPs (Basic Training included): Applied for, revalidated and replaced online in your own MARINA MISMO account, free of charge (MARINA Circulars SC-2021-03 and SC-2021-04); approved certificates are released there.
Pre-employment medical exam (PEME): At a DOH-accredited medical facility for seafarers: for your COP, MARINA accepts only the medical fitness such a facility encodes into MISMO (MARINA Circular SC-2021-04, sec. 13).
NBI clearance, if one is asked for: Apply online with the NBI, then appear at your chosen NBI branch for your photo and biometrics.
Your contract and OEC / OFW Pass through the DMW: The Department of Migrant Workers processes your contract and the overseas employment certificate; start with e-Registration on DMW Online Services.
SSS number (E-1), if you have none: SSS is compulsory for sea-based workers and your manning agency is your employer: it deducts your share and remits both (RA 11199 sec. 9-B). Your contributions follow the employer and employee schedule, not the land-based OFW one.
PhilHealth registration or update (PMRF): PhilHealth counts sea-based workers as employed members: the premium is shared equally between you and your employer (PhilHealth Circular 2020-0005).
Pag-IBIG membership registration: Pag-IBIG is compulsory for Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers (RA 9679 sec. 6). The form has an OFW membership category.
OWWA membership: OWWA membership stays active until your contract ends or two years from its start, whichever comes first; then it is renewed with proof of active employment (OWWA Citizen's Charter 2026).
Special Power of Attorney for your family: Names the person who may act for you while you are at sea, for one or more specific transactions you list. Signing it abroad: see the SPA-from-abroad guide.
After your overseas employment ends you may keep paying SSS on a voluntary basis to keep your rights to full benefits.
SIRB expiring and boarding soon: MARINA may extend it if you bring the company request letter, your e-ticket, the approved contract and your confirmed SID/SRB appointment.
COPs and COCs are released into your MISMO account and can be printed on A4 paper without MARINA's dry seal.
PhilHealth: direct contributors, OFWs included, pay 5% of monthly income from January 2025, at least ₱500 a month.
Not for: Land-based OFWs (see the Overseas Filipino worker pack).
Not affiliated with BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG or any government agency.