Dear COA Holder:

You are receiving this letter because you hold a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 

operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). This letter provides UAS operators with 

information regarding the statutory requirement to register aircraft and includes details on the 

registration process and marking. If you need to register aircraft, you will have 45 days from 

the date of this letter to submit an Aircraft Registration Application to the FAA.

 

Aircraft Registration Requirements

Title 49 §§ 44101-44104 prohibit operation of unregistered aircraft and establish the 

requirements for aircraft registration. The regulations implementing those requirements are 

found in 14 CFR part 47. 

Public Aircraft are not excepted from the registration requirements. Under § 47.3, aircraft 

owned by U.S. citizens, lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States, and U.S. 

corporations are eligible for registration and operation. This includes U.S. Government, the 

District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, territories, or possessions of the United States and political 

subdivisions thereof.

No registration is required for UAS owned by the Armed Forces or under temporary ownership 

of the Armed Forces. 49 USC § 44101(b)(2); 14 CFR §47.3(b) (3). If temporary ownership of 

UAS by the Armed Forces ceases, the UAS must be registered prior to operating in the NAS.

UAS Registration Process and Numbers

To register UAS, you must submit an Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, and 

evidence of ownership to the Aircraft Registration Branch (AFS-750). Registration costs 

$5.00. Complete details for registering UAS and reserving an N-number are provided online 

at www.faa.gov. For your convenience, instructions and a blank registration form are attached.

UAS Registration Marking

UAS must be marked with their U.S. nationality and registration marks (N-Number) in 

accordance with 14 CFR Part 45. Most full scale UAS are able to comply with the marking 

requirements, including size and location of the N-Number on the aircraft. Sub-scale or small 

UAS, or UAS of a non-conventional shape such as a multi-rotor (quad-copter, octo-copter, 

etc.) or ducted fan may not be able to comply with Part 45 or the guidance in AC 45-2D 

because of size or space limitations on the aircraft. In these cases, markings may be as large as 

practicable, or a person may apply to the FAA for an alternative marking procedure. See 14 

CFR §§ 45.22(d); 45.29(f). Alternate marking approvals may be issued to public aircraft by 

FAA UAS Integration Office (AFS-80).

Instructions for Operators
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Effective immediately, all UAS operated under a COA, other than those excepted by 49 USC § 

44101(b), must be registered and marked. For those to be operated under a new COA, the 

UAS must be registered and marked prior to COA application. The aircraft registration 

number (N-number) must be entered into the “Aircraft Registration” field, of the System 

Description section in COA online. If alternative markings were required, a copy of the 

Alternative Marking approval letter should be attached to application in the “Aircraft 

Registration” field. Applications for registration must be submitted for aircraft currently 

operating under an existing COA within 45 days of the date of this letter. COA holders will 

confirm their aircraft have been registered by entering the registration number, (N-number) in 

the Monthly Operational Report, in the block labeled, “Describe any other Operational / 

Coordination Issued.” Failure to comply with the registration requirements within the 

prescribed timeframe may result in a suspension of the COA or a delay in the renewal of the 

COA. 

Additional questions can be directed to Ken Fugate, AFS-86, (202) 267-8259, or the Aircraft 

Registration Branch, AFS-750, (405) 954-3116, toll free 1-866-762-9434.

Sincerely,

James H. Williams

Manager 

UAS Integration Office, AFS-80

References

14 CFR, Part 45

14 CFR, Part 47

Title 49 §44101-44104

FAA Advisory Circular 45-2D
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UAS Registration Instructions

To begin the registration process, the following must be sent to the Aircraft Registration 

Branch (AFS-750):

1. Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1. An original Aircraft 

Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1) is required. Photocopies or computergenerated copies of this form are not acceptable. Aircraft Registration Applications 

may be obtained from the Aircraft Registration Branch or your local FAA Flight 

Standards District Office (FSDO). For your convenience, a blank registration form is

attached.

2. Evidence of ownership. A Bill of Sale or Affidavit of Ownership is required. The 

purchaser under a contract of conditional sale is considered the owner for the purpose 

of registration. The first time a new aircraft is registered, the manufacturer must 

complete and submit Aeronautical Center Form 8050-88, Affidavit of Ownership for 

Experimental Aircraft Including Amateur-Built Aircraft and Other Non-Type 

Certificated Aircraft (AC Form 8050-88), selecting the third box for build type. The 

first time a used aircraft is registered, the applicant must complete AC Form 8050-88, 

selecting the fourth box for the build type and the sub-box indicating the type of 

evidence of ownership enclosed with or attached to the form.

3. Registration fee. A $5.00 registration fee is also required, payable to the Federal 

Aviation Administration. 

Your application for aircraft registration must include the typed or printed name of each 

applicant with their signature in the signature block. Applications that do not include the 

printed or typed name of the signer will be returned.

All U.S. aircraft registration numbers are prefixed by an N. The registration number, apart 

from the N prefix, is made up of one to five symbols, the last two of which may be 

alphabetical. This alphabetical suffix must be preceded by at least one numerical symbol. The 

lowest possible number is N1. A zero never precedes the first number. For example:

N1 through N99999, all symbols are numeric

N1A through N9999Z, single alphabetical suffix

N1AA through N999ZZ, double alphabetical suffix

A custom registration number may be reserved, if available, for 1 year by using the FAA 

online N-number reservation request application. There is a $10.00 reservation fee (waived for 

Government offices).

All completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Postal Service, Regular and Priority 

Mail:

FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, 

AFS-750

P.O. Box 25504

Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504

Commercial Delivery Services:

FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, 

AFS-750

Registry Building Room 118

6425 South Denning

Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6937