Click on Buy a New Vessel Permit under "Permits" on the right side of your browser screen or click on Buy a New Vessel Permit on the Permits drop-down menu.

In the "Purchase or Renew a Permit" screen, click on the Purchase New button.

In the "Pre-Fill Basic Data" screen, if you have or used to have an NMFS permit, click on and enter the permit number in the "Look up info with this permit number" checkbox and click Continue. If you cannot remember your permit number or have never had a permit issued by NMFS, click I will enter the basic application data myself and skip to step 8(a clicked radio button would have a black circle in the middle).

If you entered a permit number in step 3 and the system could not find it, you'll get an error similar to the one in the below figure. Either re-enter a new permit number or click I Will enter the basic application data myself .

If you entered an acceptable permit number, the system will ask you for a vessel number. Select the "Enter Vessel Number" check box and enter in a vessel number in the text area. The vessel number can be the coastal guard documentation number or the state registration number. If you don't have a vessel number handy for that permit number, select the I don't have the vessel number handy. Cancel the pre-fill attempt box . Click Continue when done.

In the next screen of verify your name and vessel, if both are correct, select "This is my name and vessel". Otherwise, select "This is not my name and/or vessel".

If you selected "This is my name and vessel" in step 6, the system will take you to a pre-populated "Basic Application Data" screen. If you selected "This is not my name and/or vessel" the system will refer you to the screen in step 4.

If the "Basic Application Data" screen is empty, enter your information. Press the TAB key on your keyboard to navigate from one entry box to the next or use your mouse to click from one box to the next. An " * " marks all required fields.

Confirm all entries and change any information as needed in the "Owner information" section. Make sure to fill in the "Basic Vessel Information" section and check the checkbox to confirm the ownership. Click the Continue button when you are done entering your information.

Note: At the bottom of the "Basic Application Data" screen is the "Basic Vessel Information" section. NMFS requires the permit holder to provide either the Coast Guard Documentation number or the State Registration number. Enter both numbers if they are available. Each vessel should be registered with the U.S. Coast Guard and the State.

Once the system accepts all entries made in the "Basic Application Data" screen, the "Additional Application Data" screen will appear, containing all previous information entered in the "Basic Application Data" screen. Using your browser's side scroll bar, scroll down until you see the "Vessel Information" section. Enter in the information in each corresponding box. Click the Continue button when you are done entering your information. The Reenter Data button will take you back to the "Basic Application Data" screen.

If you forgot to fill in any of the required entries, you will get an error detailing what you forgot to fill in.

If the system accepts the information you entered in the "Additional Application Data" screen, the "Shark Endorsement" screen will appear. Indicate if you want a Shark Endorsement added to your HMS permit.

Starting in 2018, HMS permit holders that wish to fish for and retain sharks recreationally are required to add a Shark Endorsement to their HMS permit. To obtain a Shark Endorsement you must watch a short educational video on shark identification and handling (which lasts about 3 minutes), and complete a quiz consisting of 7 questions. There is no required minimum score to pass. A shark endorsement can be added to your permit at any time of the year.

After you have completed the Shark Endorsement step of the permitting process, the "Select Permit" screen will appear. Select the appropriate permit that you need. You can choose a permit category from the "Open Access" section by clicking on the checkbox next to the permit category.

Once you click on a permit, the page will show whether you may choose another permit category to have a combo permit. At most two permit categories may be chosen. All permit categories that you cannot choose will have a red warning after the names.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Move your mouse over the Select Gear Type and click the desired gear-type.

After you have decided the permit category (or categories) and the gear type. Click the checkbox below the Select Gear Type to confirm you understand the 45-day policy. Click Continue when done.

Confirm the information provided in the "Application Data Confirmation" screen. If the information is correct, click on the checkbox at the bottom to confirm your information is true and corrent, then click the Add to Cart button. Otherwise, click the Reenter Data buttom, taking you back to the "Basic Application Data" screen.

In the "Shopping Cart" screen, review your cart content. Click Check Out button if you are satisfied with the order. Otherwise click on the Empty Cart button to cancel the order.

In the "Select a Delivery Method" screen, click on the appropriate delivery method. Take notice of any additional fees associated with specific delivery method. Depending on the application, you may choose to send permits via US First Class mail, US Priority mail, or any other delivery methods available. Click Print Your own if you'd like to print your permit now.

When done, click the Continue button to continue the permit process or the Return to Cart button to change the cart's content.

If you have chosen Email in last step, then the Email Information page will appear on your brower screen. Input your email in the input box. When done, click the Continue button to continue the permit process.

The "Mailing Address" page will appear on your browser screen if you have chosen a mailing option. If the shipping address is different from the billing address, enter in the shipping address. Otherwise, click the Ship to the Billing Address box. When done, click Continue.

If you have chosen Fax as the delivery method, then the Fax Information page will appear on your brower screen. Input your Fax number in the input box. When done, click the Continue button to continue the permit process.

The "Pay Now" page will appear on your browser screen. Click on Pay now if you are satisfied with your order and ready to pay. Otherwise click on Return to cart.

Enter the your preferred payment method and corresponding information. Click Continue with Plastic Card Payment when done. Click the Cancel button if you want to cancel the order.

Enter your Email Address and Confirm Email Address to receive an email confirmation about your order. Click on the checkbox to authorize the payment. Then click Submit Payment when done. Click the Cancel button if you you want to cancel the order.

If you chose to print your own, you will get to the print page. Click Print button, you will open a windown with the permit in pdf format. Instruct your customer to save the pdf file and/or print it. Click OK when done.

Review the receipt information, making sure to write down the receipt order number. When you are satisfied with the service, click the OK button to return to the home page.