FAA Aircraft Registration Guide: Complete Requirements and Process

Understanding FAA Aircraft Registration

FAA aircraft registration establishes legal ownership and provides the aircraft with its official N-number (registration number). Registration is required for all civil aircraft operating in the United States and serves several purposes:

• Establishes legal ownership and public record
• Assigns unique identification (N-number) to the aircraft
• Verifies citizenship requirements for U.S. registration
• Enables FAA communication regarding airworthiness directives
• Provides basis for lien recording and title searches

Who Can Register Aircraft in the United States?

Only qualifying owners can register aircraft with U.S. N-numbers:

• U.S. Citizens: Individual citizens can register aircraft directly
• Permanent Residents: Green card holders qualify for registration
• U.S. Corporations: Incorporated in U.S. states or territories with president/75% of directors being U.S. citizens
• LLCs: Organized in U.S. with 75% voting interest controlled by U.S. citizens/permanent residents
• Partnerships: Each partner must be a U.S. citizen
• Trusts: Trustee must be U.S. citizen and beneficiaries must meet citizenship requirements
• Government Entities: U.S. federal, state, or local governments

Non-U.S. citizens without permanent residency generally cannot register aircraft with N-numbers. They must register in their home countries or use owner trust arrangements.

Required Forms for Aircraft Registration

AC Form 8050-1: Aircraft Registration Application

This is the primary registration form completed by the aircraft buyer/new owner. It requires:

• Aircraft make, model, and serial number
• Aircraft N-number (registration number)
• Type of registration (individual, corporate, LLC, etc.)
• Owner's name and mailing address
• Citizenship verification
• Owner's signature and date

Critical: The owner name and address must be entered exactly as desired on the registration certificate. Corrections require re-filing.

AC Form 8050-2: Bill of Sale

The bill of sale transfers ownership from seller to buyer and must include:

• Aircraft make, model, and serial number
• N-number
• Seller's name and address (exactly matching previous registration)
• Buyer's name and address (matching registration application)
• Purchase price or "gift" if applicable
• Date of sale
• Seller's signature (must be original, not photocopied)

If multiple owners are selling, all must sign. If a corporation is selling, an authorized officer must sign with their title indicated.

Evidence of Ownership

You must prove the seller owned the aircraft by submitting:

• Current FAA registration certificate in seller's name, OR
• Previous bill of sale showing seller acquired the aircraft

AC Form 8050-41: Release of Lien (if applicable)

If the aircraft has existing liens being paid off at purchase, lienholders must file releases. This form includes:

• Aircraft details and N-number
• Lienholder information
• Statement releasing the lien
• Lienholder signature and date

Ensure lien releases are submitted with registration to avoid delays. Learn more about aircraft lien searches.

Additional Documentation for Entities

Corporations, LLCs, trusts, and other entities must provide evidence of citizenship eligibility:

• Corporations: AC Form 8050-3 Certification showing citizenship of officers and directors
• LLCs: AC Form 8050-3 and operating agreement/articles showing member citizenship
• Trusts: Trust documents proving trustee and beneficiary citizenship

Read our guide on LLC aircraft ownership for detailed entity requirements.

The Aircraft Registration Process Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose Your Ownership Structure

Decide how to hold ownership (individual, LLC, trust, etc.). This decision affects:

• Liability protection
• Tax treatment
• Estate planning
• Privacy (entities provide some anonymity)
• Complexity and cost of registration

Consult with attorneys and tax advisors before deciding. Once registered, changing ownership structure requires re-registration.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Download current forms from the FAA website (www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry). Use current form versions—outdated forms are rejected.

Complete forms carefully with:

• Legible handwriting or typing
• Accurate aircraft information from previous registration
• Exact name and address as desired on new registration
• All required signatures in original ink (no photocopies)

Step 3: Obtain Bill of Sale

The seller completes the bill of sale with your information. Verify:

• Seller's name matches current registration exactly
• Aircraft details are correct
• Your name/entity name is spelled exactly as desired
• Seller's original signature is present

Step 4: Conduct Title Search

Before submitting registration, conduct a title search to verify:

• Seller is the registered owner
• No unexpected liens exist
• Previous transfers were proper

Title companies or aviation attorneys perform searches for $300-$500. This protects against purchasing aircraft with ownership problems. Read about aircraft title and escrow services.

Step 5: Pay Registration Fee

The FAA registration fee is $5, payable:

• Online via the FAA's Aircraft Registration System
• By check or money order with mailed application

Online payment is faster and provides immediate confirmation.

Step 6: Submit Documents to FAA

Submit completed forms to:

FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
AFS-750
P.O. Box 25504
Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Or deliver in person to the FAA Registry in Oklahoma City for immediate temporary registration.

Send via certified mail or use escrow services to ensure delivery and processing.

Step 7: Receive Temporary Registration

Upon receipt of complete, proper documentation, the FAA issues an AC Form 8050-3 pink copy (temporary registration certificate), valid for 120 days. This allows legal operation while awaiting permanent registration.

Keep the pink copy in the aircraft with other required documents.

Step 8: Receive Permanent Registration Certificate

The FAA processes the application and mails the permanent registration certificate within 4-8 weeks. This white certificate must be carried in the aircraft and is valid for three years from issue date.

Common Registration Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Name Mismatches

Seller name on bill of sale must exactly match current registration. Common issues:

• Middle initials present on one document but not the other
• Nicknames vs. legal names
• Misspellings
• Corporate name changes not reflected

Verify exact spelling on current registration before completing bill of sale.

Incomplete Documentation

• Missing signatures
• Photocopied signatures instead of originals
• Missing evidence of seller's ownership
• LLC/corporation citizenship documentation not included
• Lien releases not provided when liens exist

Review the FAA's registration checklist before submission to ensure completeness.

Using Outdated Forms

FAA forms are updated periodically. Using old versions results in rejection and delays. Always download current forms from the official FAA website immediately before use.

Incorrect N-Number

Aircraft N-numbers must be entered consistently across all forms. Verify the N-number from current registration and use it exactly.

Special Registration Situations

Registering Aircraft as an LLC

LLC registration requires proving citizenship compliance. Submit:

• AC Form 8050-1 (Aircraft Registration Application)
• AC Form 8050-3 (Certification of Citizenship)
• LLC Operating Agreement or Articles showing member ownership percentages
• Documentation proving members owning 75% voting rights are U.S. citizens

Some LLCs use single-member structures (one U.S. citizen owner) to simplify citizenship proof.

Trust Ownership

Owner trusts allow registration when beneficial owner doesn't meet citizenship requirements. The trust holds legal title while the beneficiary enjoys use. Requirements:

• Trustee must be U.S. citizen
• Trust document showing trustee authority
• Beneficiary information
• FAA citizenship compliance

Multiple Owners

Co-ownership registration requires:

• All owners listed on Form 8050-1
• Specification of ownership type (joint tenants, tenants in common)
• All owners' signatures

Any future sale requires all co-owners' signatures on the bill of sale. Learn about partnership ownership considerations.

Deceased Owner Transfers

When a registered owner dies, transfer requires:

• Certified copy of death certificate
• Letters testamentary or estate documentation
• Executor or administrator signature on bill of sale
• Probate court approval if required by state law

After Registration: Ongoing Requirements

Registration Renewal

Aircraft registration expires every three years. The FAA sends renewal notice to the registered owner's address 6 months before expiration.

Renewal fee is $5 and can be completed online. Failure to renew results in registration cancellation and illegal operation if flown.

Address Changes

Notify the FAA within 30 days of address changes by submitting AC Form 8050-1 with updated information. This ensures you receive:

• Registration renewal notices
• Airworthiness Directive notifications
• Other important FAA communications

Name Changes

If your name changes (marriage, legal name change), update registration by filing AC Form 8050-1 with:

• New name
• Documentation supporting name change (marriage certificate, court order)

Ownership Transfer

When selling your aircraft, you'll complete the bill of sale as seller. Ensure:

• Your name matches registration exactly
• Buyer's information is accurate
• All co-owners sign if applicable
• Original signature in ink

Registration and Financing

If financing your aircraft, lenders have specific registration requirements:

• Registration in borrower's name (or LLC controlled by borrower)
• Lien filing on FAA registry showing lender's security interest
• Clear title with no unexpected liens

Most lenders coordinate registration with escrow services to ensure proper filing and lien recording. The lender files AC Form 8050-98 (Aircraft Security Agreement) to perfect their lien.

When you pay off the loan, ensure the lender files AC Form 8050-41 (Lien Release) to remove their security interest from FAA records.

Costs Associated With Registration

• FAA Registration Fee: $5
• Title Search: $300-$500
• Escrow Services: $500-$2,000 (if used)
• Legal Fees: $500-$1,500 (if attorney assists)
• Entity Formation: $500-$2,000+ (if creating LLC or trust)

While the FAA fee itself is minimal, total costs for proper registration with professional assistance typically range from $1,000-$5,000 depending on complexity.