---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 12135"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "12135"
heading: "Invalidation of certificates of documentation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/12135"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part H — Identification of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 121 — Documentation of Vessels"
  - "Subchapter III — Miscellaneous"
---

# §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](/usc/8/1408.md))) of the United States in violation of [section 12131 of this title](/usc/46/12131.md).

## 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.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | 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). 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”.