Form CG-719B: Application for Merchant Mariner Credential

Step-by-Step: Filling Out Form CG-719B for Your Captain's License

Click below to download the application form 👇 

Application for Merchant Mariner Credential (Form CG-719B)

What is the CG-719B form?  

Form CG-719B is used for all Coast Guard credentials for original first-time Coast Guard applications and license renewals.  

How do I complete this form?

To complete the form, use an Adobe PDF application. Alternatively, you can print the form, manually fill it out, scan it back into a PDF format, and save the file with the appropriate name. 

Once completed, save the document to your desktop using the following file name format: LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_MARINER REFERENCE NUMBER (Note: Original applicants will not have a Mariner Reference Number yet). 

📽️ Watch this video from the National Maritime Center on how to complete the CG-719B form. Please note that the video covers various license types, so some information may not be relevant to the captain's license credentialing.

How many pages is CG-719B?

The CG-719B form consists of five pages, but only pages 3 and 4 need to be submitted to the National Maritime Center. Page 5 is optional and should only be included if a third party is completing the application packet on your behalf. 

Pages 1 and 2 are instructional and do not need to be submitted, but they provide valuable guidance in helping you complete the application form. 

Section I: Applicant Information 

What if I do not have a Reference Number for Section I: Applicant Information #2b?

If this is your first time applying for a captain's license credential with the Coast Guard, you will not have a reference number yet. In this case, you should complete section #2a and leave section #2b blank.

Once you are issued a Merchant Mariner Credential (your captain's license), you will receive a Reference Number that will remain with you throughout your journey with the Coast Guard.

Section II: Requested Coast Guard Credential(s)

What do I fill out for Section II: Requested Coast Guard Credential(s)?

Original Application

If you are applying for your original license, you will want to check Officer Original in the Endorsement Category. 

In the Description of Endorsement(s) Desired, fill in what exact license you are applying for. It is strongly suggested to be specific in the license you are requesting.

Upgrading to the Masters or Adding the Towing/Sailing Endorsement(s) 

If you are upgrading to a Master or adding an endorsement, you will want to check Officer Raise of Grade, New Endorsement, or Increase in Scope in the Endorsement Category. 

In the Description of Endorsement(s) Desired, fill in what exact license you are seeking. It is recommended to provide specific details about the type of license you are applying for.

License Renewal 

If you are renewing your current captain's license, you will want to check Officer Renewal in the Endorsement Category. In the Description of Endorsement(s) desired, you can leave it blank.

If you click the box below "FOR RENEWAL TRANSACTIONS ONLY", you are waiving the post-dating feature and will have your MMC issued immediately. For example, if your renewal MMC is ready to be printed on 10/01/2023, and you DO NOT check the "FOR RENEWAL TRANSACTIONS ONLY" box, and your current MMC does not expire until 12/01/2023, your new MMC will be printed with validity dates from 12/02/2023 through 12/02/2028. Post-dating can be issued up to 8 months out. 

What if I am renewing and asking for a raise in grade, a new endorsement, or an increase in scope? 

You will select the Renewal and Raise of Grade, New Endorsement, or Increase in Scope boxes within the Officer row. 

In the Description of Endorsement(s) Desired box, you will include what you want to renew and what you are looking to add. 

What if I am unsure which license I am applying for? 

If you do not know which license and version you are applying for, you can browse these resources: 

• 46 CFR 10.109

• NMC Checklists

• NMC Military to Mariner

Section III: Safety and Suitability 

Am I TWIC exempt from Section III: Safety and Suitability for my original application? 

For Section III: Safety and Suitability, #1 regarding the TWIC, you are not TWIC exempt for your original application. Therefore, you should not check this box and should leave it blank. 

💡 TIP! You must submit a copy of your TWIC card with your original application.

Do I need to fill out the Criminal Record (Convictions and Drug Use) for Section III: Safety and Suitability for my original application? 

You must complete all checkboxes in this section. If you answer "Yes" to any of the questions within Section III: Safety and Suitability, #2 (Criminal Record) on the CG-719B form, you are required to include the CG-719C form in your application packet.

Do I need to complete the Criminal Record (Convictions and Drug Use) for Section III: Safety and Suitability on my renewal application?

You do not need to check "Yes" if you have already disclosed a conviction on a previous application for Section III: Safety and Suitability, #2 (Criminal Record) on the CG-719B form. 

Must I check off the National Driver Registry (NDR) for Section III: Safety and Suitability for my application?

You must check the box under Section III: Safety and Suitability, #3 when applying for your original license, renewing your license, or adding onto an existing license. This is not required for Document of Continuity applicants.

By checking this box, you authorize the National Driver Registry (NDR) to provide the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) with information regarding your driving record. This consent allows for a single access to the NDR to verify the information provided in your application.

By granting this authorization, you acknowledge that the USCG will make the information received from the NDR available to you for review and written comment before taking any action, such as disapproving your application or taking further action against your Merchant Mariner Credential.

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 710(g), 46 U.S.C. 7302(c), and 46 U.S.C. 7505

Section IV: Mariner's Consent/Certification

What is Section IV: Mariner's Consent/Certification #1 asking me?

Section IV #1 on CG-719B, Section IV is an optional field for the Mariner Outreach System program. 

❌ If you do not wish to participate, you can select "No thanks, I do not wish to participate at this time." 

✔ If you select "Yes, I would like to participate," you are agreeing to the following: I consent to voluntarily participate in the Mariner Outreach System, which may be used by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in the event of a national emergency or sealift crisis. In such situations, MARAD may share my contact information with an appropriate maritime employment office to assess my availability for potential employment on a sealift vessel. Once consent is given, it remains in effect until revoked, either by a subsequent application or by sending a signed notice of revocation to the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, 100 Forbes Dr., Martinsburg, WV 25404. For more information, visit https://mos.marad.dot.gov/. 

What do I fill out for Section IV: Mariner's Consent/Certification #5?

You must sign Section IV, #5 if you are applying for any captain's license, whether that be your original, renewal, increasing scope, or adding an endorsement. 

In Section IV: Mariner's Consent/Certification, refer to #4 for details on what your signature in #5 attests to:

• All information on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge
• I understand that an application found to be fraudulent may result in a denial for one year from the submission date, even if the fraudulent information alone did not cause denial or prosecution
• I solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully and honestly, to the best of my skill and judgment, perform all duties required by U.S. law and will carry out the lawful orders of my superior officers aboard a vessel

In #5, you will sign where it mentions "Signature of Applicant" and date it. 

Who is authorized to administer the oath?

On CG-719B, Section IV, #5, you'll find a section below your signature for the signature of an individual authorized to administer the oath. While the form indicates that the oath is required only once in a mariner's career, recent updates have simplified the process:

As of December 17, 2024, the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC) no longer requires the oath to be notarized for original Merchant Mariner Credentials.

You must still sign the line above, certifying that all information you have provided is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. This attestation remains a vital part of your application process.

What do I fill out for Section IV: Mariner's Consent/Certification #6?

The Third Party Authorization under Section IV, #6 of the CG-719B form should be completed if a third party, such as an outside consultant, assisted you with your application. This section is where you will provide the third party's information.

If you completed the forms on your own, you can leave this section blank.