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46 USC § 12104 - Applications for documentation 

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s12104"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 12104 - Applications for documentation"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "12104"
section_name: "Applications for documentation"
chapter_number: 121
chapter_name: "DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "H"
part_name: "Identification of Vessels"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1493.)"
---

# § 12104. Applications for documentation

**(a)** **In General.—** An application for a certificate of documentation or endorsement under this chapter must be filed by the owner of the vessel. The application must be filed in the manner, be in the form, and contain the information prescribed by the Secretary.

**(b)** **Applicant’s Identifying Information.—** The Secretary shall require the applicant to provide—

**(1)** if the applicant is an individual, the individual’s social security number; or

**(2)** if the applicant is an entity—

**(A)** the entity’s taxpayer identification number; or

**(B)** if the entity does not have a taxpayer identification number, the social security number of an individual who is a corporate officer, general partner, or individual trustee of the entity and who signs the application.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 5, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1493.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 12104(a) | 46:12103(a) (related to filing by owner), (b)(1). |  |
| 12104(b) | 46:12103(b)(2). |  |

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 12104, , , ; , , ; , , , originally derived from section 65g of former Title 46, Shipping, related to effect of documentation, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by . See .