Aircraft Registration

Re-Registration Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

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When is my plane due for Re-registration?  /  Can I send in my application early?

Aircraft registered before October 1, 2010, that are to continue operating as a U.S. civil aircraft, must have a re-registration application filed with the FAA Aircraft Registry in accordance with the schedule shown below.  This will enable the new registration certificate to be issued before the old registration certificate expires.

A re-registration application may be filed as much as 30 days before the three month re-registration window shown below.  Applications made more than 30 days early will be returned to the registered owner with instructions to re-file the application and fee during the assigned time interval.  Fees sent with a premature application will be refunded under separate cover.  It is advised to file at the beginning of the assigned window.  This will allow time to resolve any issue that may arise and delay re-registration.  

Aircraft Re-Registration Schedule

If the Certificate was issued in:	The certificate expires on:	The owner must apply for re-registration between these dates, - to allow delivery of a new certificate before expiration.
March of any year	March 31, 2011	November 1, 2010	and January 31, 2011
April of any year	June 30, 2011	February 1, 2011	and April 30, 2011
May of any year	September 30, 2011	May 1, 2011	and July 31, 2011
June of any year	December 31, 2011	August 1, 2011	and October 31, 2011
July of any year	March 31, 2012	November 1, 2011	and January 31, 2012
August of any year	June 30, 2012	February 1, 2012	and April 30, 2012
September of any year	September 30, 2012	May 1, 2012	and July 31, 2012
October of any year	December 31, 2012	August 1, 2012	and October 31, 2012
November of any year	March 31, 2013	November 1, 2012	and January 31, 2013
December of any year	June 30, 2013	February 1, 2013	and April 30, 2013
January of any year	September 30, 2013	May 1, 2013	and July 31, 2013
February of any year	December 31, 2013	August 1, 2013	and October 31, 2013

To see when your aircraft's registration certificate was issued look up your registration here.

Will the FAA notify owners when it is time to Re-Register their aircraft?

Yes, the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch will send courtesy notices to the registered owner(s) of an aircraft at the mailing address on file.  The notices will be mailed six months prior to their aircraft's registration expiration date.  Owners should receive the notice before the opening of a three month window established for them to file their re-registration application.  Filing an aircraft's re-registration application during the designated window allows time for processing the application and the delivery of a new certificate before the old certificate expires.

Is this the only notice that will be sent?

No.  If the aircraft is not re-registered before the close of the designated filing window the FAA will send a second courtesy notice advising the owner of the pending expiration and their options.  A third notice will be sent when an aircraft's registration expires.  It will inform the owner that the N-number assigned to the aircraft will be cancelled if the aircraft is not registered within 30 days.  

Can re-registration be completed on-line?

Yes, most aircraft owners should be able to re-register their aircraft on-line.  The first notice sent will have a code that enables on-line re-registration provided the current aircraft's ownership and registration address(es) match what is shown in our records, the ownership still meets citizenship requirements, and the $5 fee can be paid by credit card.  Please proceed carefully; the on-line code is good for one use only.  

Can I mail my Re-Registration form? / What's the address?

Yes, you can apply for re-registration by mail. Anyone who does not apply online during the suggested window will have to send their application by mail. Please use the following addresses:

For U.S. Postal Service regular and Priority mail use:

   FAA Aircraft Registration Branch AFS-750
   PO Box 25504
   Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504

For Overnight or Commercial Delivery Services, use:

   FAA Aircraft Registration Branch AFS-750
   6425 S Denning Rm 118
   Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6937

What is the Re-registration fee?

The re-registration fee is $5.00 per aircraft.

How does the re-registration web page work?

The aircraft owner goes to the on-line re-registration web page at, http://registry.faa.gov/renewregistration.  Once at the site the owner enters the aircraft's N-number and the re-registration code provided in the first notice about expiration of registration, then click on "go".  This will display the e-version of the Aircraft Re-Registration Application, which will be auto filled with the aircraft's description, the registration mailing address, the owner's physical address (if the mailing address is a P.O. Box), and the names of all registered owners.  Please proceed carefully; the on-line code is good for one use only.  Once you select the applicable bar indicating that there are changes, the code is ineffective.  If upon review the owner(s) determines that the information shown on the form is correct, and the aircraft's ownership still meets the citizenship requirements of 14 C.F.R. §47.3, then the owner clicks on the applicable box to certify these facts.  The system then goes to Pay.Gov to collect the $5 fee.  If the credit card payment is accepted, the aircraft is re-registered and a confirmation page is available for printing. " If you can not make an on-line fee payment, but the registration information shown is correct and citizenship requirements are met, then print the form.  Make sure the correct certification block is checked, sign the form as required for the type of registration, and mail the re-registration application with the $5 fee to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch at the address shown. " If upon review of the aircraft's registration information the owner(s) determines that some part of this information is no longer correct, the owner should click on the "There are Changes" button, then on the option to "Continue". This will bring up a form with spaces that can be activated for on-line completion.  Enter the new address(es) or information regarding the aircraft's destruction, sale, or export, in the spaces provided.  Print the completed form, and sign it as required for the type of registration and mail it to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch at the address shown. If the only change is to update the address, make sure the block for the second certification statement is checked and include the $5.00 re-registration fee.

Is there a way to pay for multiple on-line re-registration actions with one credit card payment?

Yes.  The on-line re-registration web page now accepts as many as 25 re-registration actions in one session.  This includes accepting payment of the multiple re-registration fees in one on-line credit card transaction. The aircraft must be due for re-registration according to the Aircraft Re-Registration Schedule, and the interval for on-line re-registration applications must still be open.

I can't find my online re-registration code, can I get it resent or by phone?

No, the code is sent once with the first notice of registration expiration.  It can not be re-issued or provided by phone.  You may re-register your aircraft following the instructions under "How do I re-register without the code provided in the notice letter?"

How do I re-register without the code provided in the notice letter?

If you misplaced or did not receive the notice with the on-line re-registration code, or your designated filing window has closed, then you must mail your re-registration application and fee.  Go to the http://registry.faa.gov/renewregistration web page.  Select the link for "Aircraft Inquiry Online" and perform an N-number search for your aircraft.  Review the registration information shown for your aircraft; the names of the owners, the mailing address, the type of registration and status.  It may be useful to print the results page. Return to the http://registry.faa.gov/renewregistration web page.  Select the link for "Re-Registration - In Writing". This will open the Aircraft Re-Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1A that may be filled out on-line.  Complete the top half of the form using the information from the N-number inquiry.  If your mailing address has changed, enter the new address in the spaces provided.  If your current mailing address is a P.O. Box then you must also provide a physical address. Check the box with the appropriate certification statement, print the form, and sign it as appropriate for the aircraft's type of registration.  Send the form and the $5 re-registration fee to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch at the address shown.

How do I make Fee payments?

Fees for on-line transactions are paid through Pay.Gov which accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards.  If you are mailing your application and payment, please pay by check or money order made payable to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Does the expiration of registration affect the leases, liens, security agreements already on file at the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch?

14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 49 - Recording of Aircraft Titles and Security Documents, provides regulations for the recording of certain conveyances affecting an interest in U.S. registered aircraft.  The validity of any instrument recordable under this part such as a bill of sale, lease, lien, or security instrument is governed by the laws of the State, possession, Puerto Rico, or District of Columbia in which the instrument was delivered.  This rule did not make any change to Part 49, and the Aircraft Registration Branch does not anticipate any changes in the examination and processing of these instruments.  It is notable that an aircraft with expired registration is not registered, which means new instruments may not be recorded until the aircraft is again registered.  However, when an aircraft's registration expires, the recorded bills of sale, liens, leases, and security interests that are part of the aircraft record will remain a part of that record.  Recorded instruments will be available for review during periods of expiration as they are now following the sale, export, registration cancellation, and even the demise of the aircraft.

Does expiration of registration affect an aircraft's airworthiness certificate?

Because an aircraft with an expired registration is not registered, its airworthiness certification would be considered ineffective.  Without registration the aircraft is not authorized for flight.  Once registration is restored, the airworthiness certificate not having been surrendered, revoked or terminated would become effective again provided it was otherwise compliant with maintenance, inspections, and any other requirements for an effective airworthiness.  If you have further questions please contact an airworthiness inspector through your nearest Flight Standards District Office.