American Samoa Boat Registration Summary
American Samoa boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for American Samoa. The
boat numbering system for this U.S. territory is
essentially governed by the same rules as those for any other state
nationwide. Title 20 of the
Harbors and Navigation code provides information about Boating
regulations in American Samoa.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective territorial agency.
Please read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Boat Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 66 boats registered in American Samoa. This
territory ranks 56th among nationwide boat registrations. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The boat registration number prefix for American Samoa is
"AS". |
|
Registration Agency |
Department of
Port Administration |
|
Registration Requirements |
All vessels must be registered except: (1) a vessel which has a valid marine document
issued by the Bureau of Customs of the United States Government or any federal agency
successor thereto; (2) already covered by a number in full force
and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to federal law or a federally approved
numbering system of another state; provided, that such vessel shall not have been within this
Territory for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days; (3) a vessel from a country other than the
United States temporarily using the waters of this Territory; (4) a vessel owned by the United States, the
Government of American Samoa, a state or a subdivision thereof; (5) a ship’s lifeboat:(6) a vessel belonging to a class of vessels
exempted from numbering by the department of port administration after said department has
found that the numbering of vessels of such class will not materially aid in their identification;
and, if an agency of the Federal Government has a numbering system applicable to the class of
vessels to which the vessel in question belongs, after the Department of Port Administration has
further found that the vessel would also be exempt from numbering if it were subject to the federal law.
|
|
Title Requirements |
American Samoa is a registration only jurisdiction and does not issue boat
titles. |
|
Boat
Registration Records |
A person may request from the Department of Port
Administration, vessel numbering and registration information which is retrievable
from the vessels numbering system records of the department. When the department is satisfied
that the request is reasonable and related to a boating safety purpose, the information must be
furnished upon payment of the person of the cost of retrieval and furnishing of the information requested.
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|
Loan Perfection |
Secured transactions in American Samoa are governed by
common law principles except where those principles have been
modified by statute or are otherwise inappropriate to local
conditions. If the vessel is Coast Guard documented, a preferred
vessel mortgage must be recorded with the National Vessel
Documentation Center. |
|
Residency Requirements |
A certificate of number is invalid 60 days
after the day on which the vessel is no longer principally used
in the territorial waters of American Samoa where the
certificate was issued. |
|
Notary Regulations |
American
Samoa notaries must affix their seal on notarized documents. |
|
Visitation Period |
A
visitation period of 90 consecutive days is allowed for boats that are
registered in another state, Coast Guard documented, or
registered in a foreign country. |
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American Samoa
Boat Registration
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