---
type: "LegalText"
title: "46 U.S.C. § 12308"
description: "Providing vessel numbering and registration information"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
chapter_number: "123"
chapter_name: "NUMBERING UNDOCUMENTED VESSELS"
section: "12308"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 12308"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s12308"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
source_hash: "a6dd6a8f4d1dcb752dd9b675581b69d422d89573ff27671d6a5a13cd64e1ac4c"
raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
text_hash: "666c608e35d7c7b602ffcedbbd41ede455ac4d0c35f03d3dd4fa032c4d11a79d"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 46 U.S.C. § 12308 - Providing vessel numbering and registration information

## Text

A person may request from an authority issuing a number under this chapter the numbering and registration information of a vessel that is retrievable from vessel numbering system records of the issuing authority. When the issuing authority is satisfied that the request is reasonable and related to a boating safety purpose, the information shall be provided on paying the cost of retrieving and providing the information requested.

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 592.)

## Notes

Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1230846:1473 Section 12308 requires the number issuing authority to supply for a fee, numbering and registration information to any person, upon request, if the request is reasonable and related to boating safety.