Proving your identity - Maritime

What documents do I need?

Get your proof of identity documents ready in advance.

The documents must:

• be original documents or certified copies. See Who can witness and verify your documents.
• show your signature and current residential address (if relevant).
• be translated in full by an approved translation service if foreign-language documents.
• laminated documents are not acceptable.

For information on how Transport for NSW manages your personal information please see our Privacy statement.

You can also download our Proof of identity fact sheet (PDF 2.03MB).

Proof for individuals

For proof of identity, individuals age 16 and above need:

• one document from the 'One document only' list (meaning no other document is needed), or
• two documents - one from the primary and one from the secondary list.

If you're below age 16, or a company/organisation see sections below.

One document only

These are acceptable stand-alone proof of identity documents (meaning no other document is needed to prove your identity).

• A TfNSW issued NSW Photo Driver Licence that is current or not expired more than two (2) years. The licence may be presented as a plastic driver licence card or as a NSW digital driver licence (DDL)
• A TfNSW issued Photo Card that is current or not expired more than two (2) years
• A TfNSW issued Personal Watercraft (PWC) Photo Card Licence that is current or not expired more than two (2) years or
• An AMSA or TfNSW issued Certificate of Competency containing a photo of the holder that is current or not expired more than two (2) years.

One primary and one secondary

If you don't have an item from the previous list, choose from the following lists:

• 1 primary document and
• 1 secondary document.

If someone is acting on your behalf

Have you authorised another person to submit your transaction? Then that person needs to show their own proof of identity, as well as your proof of identity.

If you're under 16

If you're below age 16, you need written consent from a parent or legal guardian to apply for a boat licence.

You need to provide your proof of identity and proof of identity for a parent or legal guardian.

To show your proof of identity choose either:  

• an Australian Full Birth Certificate showing parent details or
• at least 1 primary and 1 secondary document from the lists above.

Also see Who can witness and verify your documents.

Proof for companies and organisations

To show proof of identity as a company or organisation, you need to show proof of legal status. (See Organisations with other requirements for exceptions, such as government or rescue organisations).

To show proof of legal status, you need an original or certified copy of the following:

• For associated Incorporations – a current Certificate of Incorporation issued by NSW Fair Trading or its interstate equivalent or ASIC extract.
• Companies – a current Certificate of Company Registration or other evidence (e.g. ASIC extract) and an ACN (Australian Company Number).
• Foreign companies - a Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Company with an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN).
• Sole traders, trusts and partnerships with a registered business name - a copy of the Certificate of Registration of Business Name issued by NSW Fair Trading or its interstate equivalent or ASIC extract.

Note: sole traders, trusts and partnerships are not legal entities and as such proof of identity for the associated individual must also be supplied.

Organisations with other requirements

The organisations in the list below don't need to show proof of identity but they do need to provide:

• a letter written on the company's/organisation's letterhead.
• the name of the Act under which they are incorporated, or evidence of the company's/organisation's legal status.
• for officers acting for government agencies or educational institutions, a document showing evidence of delegation or authority may also be required.

These are the companies/organisations:

• government agencies or departments
• utility providers
• credit unions, banks, building societies
• public hospitals
• educational institutions
• park and cemetery trusts
• county, city, municipal and shire councils
• volunteer rescue organisations
• finance or insurance organisations with the word "mutual" in their name
• any organisation with the word "corporation" in their name.

Who can witness and verify your documents

These people are authorised to witnesses proof of identity documents:

• any Service NSW officer
• any authorised Justice of the Peace (appointment number must appear on the document)
• any NSW Police Officer (rank and station stamp must appear on the document)
• any Judge, Magistrate, Bank Manager, Legal Practitioner or School Principal
• any Maritime or TfNSW Officer
• Authorised Licence Testing Officers (for licence tests only)
• Boatcode Agents (for the purpose of affixing/validating a Hull Identification Number)
• any Transport for NSW accredited Marine Dealer (for initial vessel registration only).

Mailing or submitting documents online

If you can't attend a service centre in person, you can lodge proof of identity documents by mail (or online for Private Moorings), provided the documents:

• have been witnessed and verified by an acceptable signatory and
• include these details:
  • document name, number and expiry date or issue date
  • signatory’s name
  • signatory’s title/position
  • provider number/stamp (whichever is applicable)
  • signatory’s signature
  • date.