Certified seafarer certificate translation in Panama

Seafarer certificates of competency and other certificates under the STCW Convention are translated by a Certified Public Translator (TPA) registered with MIRE, under Executive Decree 975 of 2017, when a ship owner, crewing agency or maritime authority asks for them in another language. A single certificate costs from $20 per 250-word page and arrives signed and sealed in up to 3 business days.

From $20–40
Delivery up to 3 business days (documents up to 10 pages)
Legal basis: Executive Decree 975 of 2017

What do you need your seafarer certificates translated for?

  • Crewing and embarkation

    Ship owners and crewing agencies ask for your certificate of competency and STCW certificates translated into the language of the ship or the flag state.

  • Endorsement before the AMP

    Recognizing a foreign certificate before the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) may require a certified translation when it was issued in another language.

  • Training and revalidation

    Maritime training centers and certificate revalidation processes may ask for your documents translated before they enroll you or renew a certificate.

How much does it cost?

Translating a seafarer certificate costs from $20, since one usually fits within the 250-word first page; with Panama's 7% ITBMS tax it comes to $21.40. A package of several STCW certificates is priced by word, at $0.08 per additional word, and you get one fixed price for the set before paying. For German ↔ Spanish, the page costs $25 and each additional word $0.10.

How long does it take?

Standard delivery takes up to 3 business days. Express delivers in 1 business day (+50%), and Same-day (+100%) applies only when you pay before 11:00 a.m. and a translator is available. These timelines apply to documents of up to 10 pages (2,500 words); for longer documents we prepare a special volume price and confirm the timeline on WhatsApp. You see the exact timeline in your quote before paying.

How does it work?

  1. 1Upload your document in the online quote or send it on WhatsApp.
  2. 2Get your exact quote in under 60 seconds; if your document is longer than 10 pages, we prepare a special volume price.
  3. 3Pay with Yappy from your app; confirmation is instant.
  4. 4A Certified Public Translator (TPA) registered with MIRE translates, signs and seals your document.
  5. 5Receive the signed and sealed PDF by WhatsApp or email at no cost, plus the printed original at your door: free in Panama City when your order adds up to 6 pages or more (one page = 250 words); $3 for 1 to 5 pages.

Do you need an apostille before or after the translation?

Depending on the flag state or the ship owner, a seafarer certificate may need an apostille or an endorsement in addition to the certified translation under Executive Decree 975 of 2017. When an apostille applies, it goes on the original in the issuing country first, then the translation, so the apostille is translated too. A Panamanian certificate is apostilled at MIRE. Lingo does not apostille documents; you or your lawyer handle that step.

Frequently asked questions

Do you translate STCW certificates into English?
Yes. We translate certificates of competency, STCW certificates, seaman's books and course certificates from Spanish into English, and from English into Spanish, with a TPA registered with MIRE. The 250-word page costs $20, and stamps, numbers and endorsements are reproduced in full so the ship owner or the maritime authority can accept them.
How much does it cost to translate my seafarer certificates?
From $20 per 250-word page plus 7% ITBMS; a short certificate comes to $21.40. If you translate several STCW certificates at once, the set is priced by word. Send photos of every certificate on WhatsApp and you get one fixed price for the whole package before paying. A certificate in German starts at $25 per page.
My embarkation date is close. How long does it take?
Standard delivery takes up to 3 business days. If you are about to join a ship, Express delivers in 1 business day (+50%), and Same-day (+100%) applies only when you pay before 11:00 a.m. and a translator is available. You see the exact timeline in your quote before paying, and the signed PDF reaches you by WhatsApp or email.
Will the AMP accept a translation of my foreign certificate?
When the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) reviews a foreign certificate issued in another language, the recognition process may require a certified translation by a TPA registered with MIRE, under Executive Decree 975 of 2017. The AMP sets the requirements for recognition and endorsement, so confirm the current list with them or with your crewing agency before you order.
Can I order without going to an office?
Yes. Upload clear photos or PDFs of your certificates online or send them on WhatsApp, pay with Yappy from your app, and receive the signed and sealed PDF by WhatsApp or email at no cost. If you also need the printed original in Panama City, delivery is $3 for 1 to 5 pages and free from 6 pages.

Get a quote for your seafarer certificates

Send a photo or PDF on WhatsApp and see the exact price in under a minute, before you pay. English is fine.