Section 122
SEC. 122. Vessels of class (a) will have been acquired by purchase by American citizens. In such cases, before issuing a certificate, the officer of the customs shall require satisfactory proof that the applicant is a citizen of the United States. He shall also require the applicant to make oath of his citizenship and of the manner in which it was acquired. He shall require the applicant to produce the bill of sale, with a copy of the same. He shall satisfy himself that the sale is made in good faith, and if he is satisfied that the sale is fictitious or is for the purpose of securing the protection and use of the flag of the United States for a vessel owned by one who is not a citizen or does not intend to remain in allegiance to the United States, he shall refuse to grant the certificate. If satisfied of the citizenship of the applicant and of the bona fides of the sale, he shall file the oath of citizenship and the copy of the bill of sale. He shall make record of the original bill of sale in his office, authenticate its execution, and deliver to the purchaser a certificate to that effect, certifying also that the owner is a citizen of the United States. Class (b).