NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
******************** Mariner fingerprinting and oaths
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Beginning May 15, 2006, USCG Sector Sault Ste Marie will expand its services to enable applicants to complete fingerprinting and take oaths before a designated Coast Guard Official for merchant mariner's documents, Coast Guard licenses, and/or certificates of registry, without having to travel to a regional exam center.
Sector Sault Ste Marie has established guidelines for any merchant mariner interested in acquiring or renewing their license or document.
The following guidelines will apply to both oaths and fingerprinting:
a. Starting May 15, applicants may contact Sector Sault Ste Marie Investigations Department at (906) 635-3223 to set up an appointment. Appointments must be scheduled with the office at least two weeks in advance. No walk-ins will be accepted.
b. Prior to scheduling an appointment, mariners must have a valid application on file at REC Toledo and shall have paid the appropriate application fee.
c. Prior to administering the oath or fingerprinting, the Coast Guard Official will verify the identity and citizenship of mariners and potential mariners. Applicants should bring at least two acceptable forms of identification as evidence of citizenship. Acceptable forms of identification and citizenship are described in Enclosure (1). These documents must be original, or copies certified as true by the agency responsible for issuing the document. Applicants who fail to provide two forms of identification as stated above will have to reschedule their appointment.
d. All oaths and fingerprinting will take place at Sector Sault Ste Marie, Inspections/Investigations Department, 337 Water Street, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan 49783.
Acceptable Documents for Identification/ Citizenship
Two forms of identification are now required to process Merchant Mariner Documents (all MMDs).
These two forms of identification must be presented before you will be fingerprinted.
Above is a list of acceptable identifications for proof of identity and citizenships.
At least one of the documents provided must be from the upper portion "Photo ID" section.
These documents must be originals or copies certified as true by the agency responsible for issuing the document.
Original MMDs are additionally required to show to their original social security card prior to issuance.
("Certified Copy" is not notarized, it is "Certified" by the originating agency)
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