46 USC § 12135 - Invalidation of certificates of documentation

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s12135"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 12135 - Invalidation of certificates of documentation"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "12135"
section_name: "Invalidation of certificates of documentation"
chapter_number: 121
chapter_name: "DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "MISCELLANEOUS"
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. 1506; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(2)(D), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1752.)"
---


# § 12135. Invalidation of certificates of documentation

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.

---

**Source Credit**: (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.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 12135 | 46:12111(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).  inserted “or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ())” after “citizen”.