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46 U.S.C. § 12135

U.S. CodeFederalPositive Law
Invalidation of certificates of documentation
About This Law
/us/usc/t46/s12135
Title
46 — Shipping
Chapter
STII/PTH/CH121
Release
119-84
Release Date
2026-04-17

Section Text

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A certificate of documentation or an endorsement on the certificate is invalid if the vessel for which it is issued—(1) no longer meets the requirements of this chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter applicable to the certificate or endorsement; or (2) is placed under the command of an individual not a citizen or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) of the United States in violation of section 12131 of this title. (Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1506; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(D), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1752.) Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 1213546:12111(a). In paragraph (2), the words “except for a recreational endorsement” are omitted as unnecessary because a recreational endorsement does not permit a vessel to engage in a trade. Editorial Notes Amendments2025—Par. (2). Pub. L. 119–60 inserted “or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408))” after “citizen”.

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