Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

Registration is required for all Unmanned Aircraft (UA), except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less and are flown exclusively under the Exception for Recreational Flyers.

Register a UA online at FAADroneZone (drone must weigh less than 55 pounds).

Learn more about the online registration process.

For assistance with online registration, please contact the UAS Support Center.

The Traditional Aircraft Registration (by mail) under 14 CFR Part 47 process:

Is required

• for UA that weigh 55 pounds or more,
• for UA owned by a trustee under a trust agreement,
• when the UA owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements,

Is available

• for UA that need N-number registration to operate outside the U.S.,
• when public recording is desired for a UA loan, lease, or ownership documents,

Registration is required for Government UA. All Aircraft (UA) owned by agencies, offices or subdivisions of: the United States (other than aircraft (UA) of the U.S. Armed Forces), the States, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States must be registered in accordance with 14 C.F.R. Part 47 or Part 48.

Information Needed to Register:

1. A completed Aircraft Registration Application:

   • An original Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1 must be used. For the online form use this link, Aircraft Registration Application.
   • When a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the applicant for registration the LLC must also provide information regarding its organization, how management authority is held, and how it meets the definition of a U.S. citizen. The Limited Liability Company Registration Information Sheet  (PDF) provides instructions on meeting this requirement.
   • Form REGAR-94, Information to Aid in the Registration of U.S. Civil Aircraft (PDF), provides helpful information about eligibility, types of registration, the proper form of names, signatures, titles, and addresses plus other related issues.

    

2. A Notarized Affidavit That:

   • Establishes the required description of the UA providing the following:
     • Full Legal Name of UA Manufacturer or Builder
     • Model Designation
     • Serial number (for UA with Remote ID, must be the serial number of the standard remote identification UA or, if equipped, the serial number of the remote identification broadcast module. See 47.14; For UA without Remote ID, use the manufacturer assigned serial number). The serial number used on the affidavit must match the serial number shown on the Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1.
     • Class (Airplane, Airship, Rotorcraft, Glider, Hybrid Lift, Ornithopter, Air Taxi)
     • Maximum Takeoff Weight (including all items on board or attached)
     • Number of Engines
     • Engine Type (2 or 4 Cycle Reciprocating, Electric, Turbo - Fan/Prop/Shaft/Jet)
     • Number of seats ( For Air Taxi only).
    
   • Establishes the ownership of the UA by the applicant:
     This may be done by filing with the affidavit an Aircraft Bill of Sale, AC Form 8050-2 (PDF), or an equal ownership transfer document for each change of ownership from the UA manufacturer, builder, or retail vendor to the owner making application for registration.
     
     Or, by stating in the affidavit: how, from whom, and where the UA was obtained; when a bill of sale or other transfer document is unobtainable for one or more changes of ownership, the applicant must state as part of the affidavit how, from whom, where, and when the aircraft was obtained; why a bill of sale or equal ownership transfer document is unavailable for filing, and attach any other evidence of the transaction(s) such as a sales receipt, invoice, etc.
      
   • Establishes that the UA isn't registered in another country:
     If the UA has not been registered anywhere and was purchased new off-the-shelf from the manufacturer or a retail vendor, include a statement similar to the following: "I purchased this UA as a new off-the-shelf item from the; manufacturer, a retail store, catalog, or internet vendor named (show name), located in (show city, state & country) on (show date)."
     
     If the UA was registered or operated in another country then a statement is required from the Civil Aviation Authority of the exporting country confirming that registration in that country has ended or that the UA was never registered.
      
   • Includes the following statement above the signatures:
     "I affirm the information and statements provided herein are correct, the aircraft (UA) is not registered under the laws of any foreign country, and I am the owner."
     View an example affidavit with sample wording.

    

3. An N-number to be assigned to the registered UA.
   If a special N-number was reserved in advance by the UA owner for this registration, this number will be assigned if it is entered on the forms in the indicated blanks.
   
   A special N-number may be requested when filing the application and other documents for registration. Include a letter that lists several N-number choices, and the $10.00 special number fee. The first listed number verified as available will be assigned to the aircraft (UA).
   
   A random N-number will be assigned at no cost if the indicated blanks on the registration forms are left empty, or a random number is requested.

Registration Fees:
Pay the $5.00 registration fee by check or money order made payable to the Federal Aviation Administration. Multiple fees may be consolidated into a single payment. Registration and N-number fees are waived when the applicant is a Federal, State or local government office, agency or institution.

In order to register you must be:

• A citizen of the United States.
• An individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
• A corporation (not a U.S. citizen) lawfully organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof as long as the aircraft (UA) is based and primarily used in the U.S.
• A governmental unit of the United States.

The UA cannot be registered under the laws of any foreign country. Full registration requirements and directions are provided in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 47.

Where to Register:
Send your registration documents to the FAA, Aircraft Registration Branch. Addresses for regular mail and overnight courier deliveries are available through the Contact the Aircraft Registration Branch menu item.

Selling your U.S. registered UA:

• The seller should execute a bill of sale transferring all or a specific portion of their right, title and interest in the UA to the purchaser. Provide the original signed bill of sale to the purchaser. Use the aircraft (UA) description shown on the registration certificate or the Search Aircraft Registration Information website to correctly describe the UA on the bill of sale.
• The seller should also retain their Certificate of Aircraft Registration, AC Form 8050-3, complete the applicable items on the reverse side, and return it to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch.
• The purchaser should forward the bill of sale with the seller's original signature, a completed Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, and the $5.00 registration fee to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch.
• All signatures on all forms must have the typed or printed name of the signer next to their signature in the signature block.
• All fees should be paid by check or money order made payable to the Federal Aviation Administration.