---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 173.77"
title: "33"
number: "173.77"
heading: "Validity of certificate of number."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/173.77"
---

# §173.77. Validity of certificate of number.

- (a) Except as provided in paragraphs [(b)](#b), [(c)](#c), [(d)](#d), and [(e)](#e) of this section, a certificate of number is valid until the date of expiration prescribed by the issuing authority.
- (b) **A certificate of number issued by an issuing authority is invalid after the date upon which—**
  - (1) The vessel is documented or required to be documented under [Part 67 of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations](/cfr/46/part67.md);
  - (2) The person whose name appears on the certificate of number as owner of the vessel transfer all of his or her ownership in the vessel; or
  - (3) **The vessel is destroyed or abandoned.**
- (c) **A certificate of number issued by an issuing authority is invalid if—**
  - (1) The application for the certificate of number contains a false or fraudulent statement; or
  - (2) **The fees for the issuance of the certificate of number are not paid.**
- (d) A certificate of number is invalid 60 days after the day on which the vessel is no longer principally operated in the State where the certificate was issued.
- (e) The certificate of number is invalid when the person whose name appears on the certificate involuntarily loses his or her interest in the numbered vessel by legal process.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 72-54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by USCG-2003-15404, 68 FR 37742, June 25, 2003; USCG-2003-14963, 77 FR 18701, Mar. 28, 2012]

### Authority

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2110, 6101, 12301, 12302; OMB Circular A-25; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 72-54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 72-54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by USCG-2003-15404, 68 FR 37742, June 25, 2003; USCG-2003-14963, 77 FR 18701, Mar. 28, 2012]