Citizenship or noncitizen nationality

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Title 46—SHIPPING > Subtitle II—Vessels and Seamen > Part E—Merchant Seamen Licenses, Certificates, and Documents > CHAPTER 71—LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY

This text was captured on Mar 26, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

Licenses and certificates of registry for individuals on documented vessels may be issued only to citizens or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1408 )) of the United States.

( Pub. L. 98–89 , Aug. 26, 1983 , 97 Stat. 540 ; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(b)(1) , Dec. 18, 2025 , 139 Stat. 1751 .)

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