Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102
§12135 Invalidation of Certificates of Documentation
Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part H — Identification of Vessels › CHAPTER 121 — DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS › SUBCHAPTER III — MISCELLANEOUS › § 12135
Summary
A vessel’s U.S. documentation or any endorsement on it becomes invalid if the vessel no longer follows the rules in this chapter and the regulations that apply to that document. It is also invalid if the vessel is placed under the command of someone who is not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. noncitizen national, in a way that violates section 12131.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §12135
Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (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
Amendments
2025—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”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 12135
Title 46, Shipping
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102