How long before you get your certificate?

[Bellecath]

I wonder if anyone can please tell me how long it takes before you have your PADI open water certificate in your hand, after you completed the course? I had the impression that you walk away with it, directly after due procedure... However, I recently found some comments about it taking 2-4 weeks, and that it has to be POSTED to your home address (?). Is this true?

My plan is to take the Open Water Certificate on Borneo in December, and then continue my trip to the Phillippines for diving during Christmas and New Years. Is there any way to make this arrangement work anyway? Meaning; can you get some kind of documentation that you in fact HAVE passed the course, and that the real certificate has just not arrived yet? Or will I be unable to use my certificate for the coming weeks?

It seems like that would sort of ruin the idea od a diving journey, hopping from location to location.

I really appreciate any comments whatsoever!

Thanks a lot!

 

[DiverGirl931]

I've always received my certs with two weeks

 

[Diver0001]

I wonder if anyone can please tell me how long it takes before you have your PADI open water certificate in your hand, after you completed the course? I had the impression that you walk away with it, directly after due procedure... However, I recently found some comments about it taking 2-4 weeks, and that it has to be POSTED to your home address (?). Is this true?

correct. It depends on how busy they are but 2-4 weeks is fairly normal. You can have the card posted to any address if you want.

My plan is to take the Open Water Certificate on Borneo in December, and then continue my trip to the Phillippines for diving during Christmas and New Years. Is there any way to make this arrangement work anyway? Meaning; can you get some kind of documentation that you in fact HAVE passed the course, and that the real certificate has just not arrived yet? Or will I be unable to use my certificate for the coming weeks?

You won't have a problem. When you finish the course you get a "walk away" proof that you took the course which is valid for 90 days.

R..

 

[Bellecath]

Oh great! Thank you so much for your help

 

[antattack]

Enjoy your temporary C-Card.

 

[Hawkwood]

Bellecath,

If the certification was done using the paper process you will receive a "temporary" card that is torn right from the certification paperwork. That temporary card is good for 90 days, by which time the plastic certification card will have been issued. The temporary card has some basic information on it that identifies the course you took, the instructor, the shop, and some basic personal information - that is all that is required. Your actual certification number will come when you get the final card. Given your travel plans, you will have no problem.

The certification can also be completed on-line. If that is the way it is done, you will receive your certification number immediately.

Where the plastic certification card goes depends on the options chosen for delivery. Options include the card going to the shop through which you earned the certification, it could go to the certifying instructor, or it could go to a specified mailing address such as your home address. If it was to go to the shop or instructor, then presumably you will have to go and pick it up from them once they have received it.

Since you are travelling to get your certification, the option chosen will be for the card to be sent to your home address.

A recent option is to have the certification card issued digitally so that you can show it via an iPhone, or similar device. No need for a physical card at all.

 

[Wolfie]

And make sure they get the date right. I went to cayman once with a freind that had a temp card filled out US date style mm/dd/yy when the card specified dd/mm/yy. This created huge problems in getting air and one boat actually wouldn't let us go.

 

[Searcaigh]

And make sure they get the date right. I went to cayman once with a freind that had a temp card filled out US date style mm/dd/yy when the card specified dd/mm/yy. This created huge problems in getting air and one boat actually wouldn't let us go.

No fear of a dive center in Borneo getting that wrong, they know how to write the dates properly

Hope you enjoy your course Bellecath, which dive center are you doing it with, you are going to be spoiled with awesome diving in the Philippines too.