REGAR-94 (04/17) 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

Aircraft Registration Branch 

P.O. Box 25504

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125-0504

http://registry.faa.gov

INFORMATION TO AID IN THE REGISTRATION OF U.S. CIVIL AIRCRAFT

ELIGIBILITY

1. An aircraft is eligible for United States registration only if it is

owned by (a) a citizen of the United States, (b) an individual citizen

of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the 

United States, (c) 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 is based and primarily used in the United States,

or (d) a governmental unit, and it is not registered under the laws of

any foreign county. OPERATION OF AN UNREGISTERED

AIRCRAFT MAY SUBJECT THE OPERATOR TO CIVIL

PENALTY.

2. DEFINITION OF UNITED STATES CITIZEN

a. An individual who is a citizen of the United States or one of its

possessions.

b. A partnership of which each individual is a citizen of the United

States.

c. A corporation or association created or organized under the laws

of the United States or of any State, Territory, or possession of

the United States, of which the president and two-thirds or more

of the board of directors and other managing officers thereof are

such individuals and in which at least 75 percent of the voting

interest is owned or controlled by persons who are citizens of the 

United States or of one of its possessions.

HOW TO REGISTER

3. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT (sUA). sUA weighing

between .55 and 55 lbs., including everything on-board at take-off,

must register pursuant to Title 14 CFR Part 48 - Registration and

Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft. Use the online system at https://registermyuas.faa.gov for sUA except those 

owned by a trustee or a company using a voting trust to qualify as a

U.S. citizen. If an N-number is needed to operate in a foreign

country, or the sUA is owned through a trust or voting trust, then the

sUA must be registered off-line under 14 C.F.R. Part 47 – Aircraft 

Registration.

MANNED & UNMANNED AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION

(OFF-LINE) – IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 C.F.R. PART 47

The owners of: manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft weighing 55 lbs.

or more including everything on-board at take-off, sUA owned by a

trustee or a company using a voting trust to meet U.S. citizenship

requirements, and sUA that need an N-number to operate in other

countries must apply to the Aircraft Registration Branch, at P.O. Box 

25504, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125-0504 for a Certificate of

Aircraft Registration. This requires an Aircraft Registration

Application, AC Form 8050-1, documentary evidence of ownership

and the current registration fee. Forms and additional information

are available on-line at http://registry.faa.gov .

Aircraft registration regulations are found in Title 14 Code of Federal 

Regulation Parts 47 and 48. These parts are available at the U.S. 

Government Publishing Office web site: http://www.ecfr.gov .

NAME REQUIREMENTS

4. An aircraft may be registered only by and in the legal name of its

owner. It is important that a name be the same on all conveyances 

submitted. A corporation has only one name which is approved in

its charter or certificate of incorporation: do not use abbreviated or

shortened names. An individual should avoid the use of nicknames

and should show “Jr.” or “Sr.” if applicable. A woman’s full given

name should be used (Harriet A. Jones) rather than her married name 

(Mrs. George E. Jones).

5. TRADE NAME. When a trade name is used by an individual, by

co-owners, or by a corporation, the trade name alone is not sufficient

since it is not the legal entity owning the aircraft. The trade name

may appear on conveyances in addition to the legal name of the

owner (John Doe d.b.a. as Doe Air).

AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION APPLICATION

6. The aircraft registration application must be signed by the owner

/applicant. The owner’s name on the application must be identical to 

the name as shown on the evidence of ownership. The type of

registration block checked and the title of the signer must also agree.

(See requirements for Types of Registration, Items 27 through 31.)

The application must also meet the following requirements:

a. The typed or printed name of the signer(s) must be included in

the signature element.

b. If a post office or mail drop address is used for mailing purposes, 

a physical location or physical address must also be shown.

c. The application must be completed and essentially “perfect” in

original appearance. There can be no white out, strike throughs,

or other alterations that obscure the content of the original text or

the information provided by the applicant.

EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP

7. The applicant for registration of an aircraft last registered in the

United States must submit conveyances completing the chain of

ownership from the last registered owner, through any intervening

owners, to the applicant.

8. A BILL OF SALE. AC Form 8050-2, or its equivalent, which

transfers all right, title, and interest in a specifically described

aircraft, is evidence of ownership.

9. A CONTRACT OF CONDITIONAL SALE may be recorded as

evidence of ownership and the certificate of registration issued to the 

buyer.

10. TRANSFER OF EQUITABLE INTEREST. A transfer of

equitable interest under a contract of conditional sale or lease with a

purchase option, previously recorded with the Aircraft Registration

Branch, shall be executed by the original conditional buyer (or their

assignee) and by the seller under the contract of conditional sale (or

their assignee) to show consent to the transfer. It shall describe the

original contract, including the date, names of parties, date of FAA

recording, and conveyance number, and the aircraft by make, model,

serial number, and registration number. A recording fee, in addition

to the registration fee, is required.

11. TRANSFER OF INTEREST. A transfer of interest (by an

instrument other than a bill of sale) in an aircraft subject to the

security agreement or chattel mortgage whereby the seller conveys

all of their right, title and interest in an aircraft to a purchaser is

eligible for recording as evidence of ownership. The instrument may 

contain an assumption clause pertaining to the recorded security

document. The transfer agreement should be signed by the seller,

the purchaser (if the purchaser assumes the debt), and by the

lienholder to denote assent to the transfer. It shall describe the

original agreement by its date, parties, date of FAA recording, and

conveyance number, and the aircraft by make, model, serial number,

and registration number. A recording fee, in addition to the

registration fee, is required.
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REGAR-94 (04/17) 

12. REPOSSESSION. The repossessor of an aircraft must submit a

Certificate of Repossession on AC Form 8050-4 or its equivalent,

accompanied by the original or a certified true copy of the security

instrument upon which repossession is based, unless the instrument 

is already recorded with this office (See 42: Certified True Copy).

13. FORECLOSURE. When repossession is through foreclosure

proceedings resulting in a sale, a bill of sale is required in addition to 

a certified true copy of the court order of foreclosure. The bill of

sale must be signed by the sheriff or other authorized person who

conducted the sale and must include a statement that the sale was

made under applicable local law.

14. JUDICIAL SALE. The buyer of an aircraft at a judicial sale, or at a 

sale to satisfy a lien or charge, must submit a bill of sale signed by

the sheriff, auctioneer, or other authorized person who conducted the 

sale, stating that the sale was made under applicable local law.

15. FORECLOSURE OF MECHANIC’S LIEN. If the lienholder

conducts the sale, the lienholder must provide the citation of the law

under which sale was conducted, a statement that it was conducted in 

accordance with the law, and documentary evidence of compliance.

16. COURT ORDER. If title to an aircraft has been in controversy and

ownership has been determined by a court of law, a certified copy of

the court order may be submitted as evidence of ownership. The

aircraft must be specifically described in the order and the owner of

record must be a party to the action.

17. AFFIDAVIT. If, for good reason, the applicant cannot produce the

required evidence of ownership, they may submit for consideration

an affidavit stating why they cannot produce the required evidence,

accompanied by whatever further evidence is available to prove the

transaction. The further evidence may be receipts, statements of

witnesses, copies of canceled checks, or returned certified mail

documenting attempts to contact former owner(s).

18. NEW HOME-BUILT & LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT: 

a. Aircraft built from a Kit. The applicant for registration of an

aircraft built from a kit that has not been registered anywhere

must submit an Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form

8050-1, accompanied by a Bill of Sale, AC Form 8050-2, for the 

kit from the kit manufacturer, an Affidavit of Ownership, AC 

Form 8050-88, and the registration fee.

b. Aircraft built from plans or miscellaneous parts. The 

applicant for registration of an aircraft built from a set of plans or 

miscellaneous parts that has not been registered anywhere, must 

submit an Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, 

an Affidavit of ownership, AC Form 8050-88, and the

registration fee.

c. Special or Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. The applicant

for registration of an aircraft built in accordance with U.S. Light 

Sport Consensus Standards that has not been registered

anywhere must submit a Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer’s

Affidavit, AC Form 8050-88A, completed by the manufacturer,

an Aircraft Bill of Sale, AC Form 8050-2, from the

manufacturer, an Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form

8050-1, and the registration fee.

CONVEYANCES SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

19. AMENDMENT. An amendment (such as to the date, the description 

of the collateral, the title of the signer, names of the parties, etc.) may 

be submitted to amend, correct or clarify any instrument which is on

file with the Aircraft Registration Branch. The amendment should

state its purpose and describe the original instrument by date, parties,

collateral, and, if recorded, the FAA recording number and date. The 

amendment must be signed by the parties to the original conveyance.

The recording fee is $5 for each item of collateral affected.

20. INCOMPLETED SALE. When a transaction is not completed, but

a conveyance has already been submitted, FAA records may be

amended by the submission of a statement signed by the parties to

the conveyance explaining the circumstances. The statement should

declare that the sale was not consummated and that the named

purchaser has no right, title or interest in the aircraft. The erroneous

conveyance should be described within the statement by its date,

parties, collateral, and, if recorded, the FAA recording number and

date. There is a $5 fee for each item of collateral for which a

statement is submitted.

21. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST. A statement disclaiming any

interest in a specifically described aircraft may be recorded upon

payment of a $5 recording fee. Such a statement is appropriate to

clear the record when a conveyance on file indicates the possibility

of an interest by someone outside the chain of ownership.

GENERAL INFORMATION

22. CONVEYANCES FILED. Except as provided in 23, all

conveyances filed for recordation, which are subsequently recorded,

become a part of the permanent aircraft record and may not be

returned. Copies of any document on file may be obtained upon

request and payment of copy fee for each page furnished in addition

to the $2 for records search.

23. RETURN OF ORIGINAL. If a person submitting a conveyance

for recording wants the original returned, they must submit a

certified true copy with the original. After recording, the copy is

kept by the FAA and the original is returned stamped with the date

and time of recording. (See Certified True Copy, Item 42.)

24. AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION RENEWAL. Aircraft registration

certificates expire after three years. A renewal notice is sent to the

registered owner, using the mailing address of record, six months

before the expiration date shown on the certificate. The notice

provides instructions and an access code for online registration

renewal and renewal fee payment by credit card. The Aircraft

Registration Renewal Application, AC Form 8050-1B, with the

renewal fee may also be submitted by mail. An aircraft is without

authority to operate unless a current registration certificate is onboard. To ensure receipt of the new certificate before expiration, it is 

important for the owner to keep their address of record current and to 

renew registration early. Renewed certificates expire three years

from the previous expiration date.

25. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. A request for a replacement

Certificate of Aircraft Registration must be sent to the Aircraft

Registration Branch. The request must identify the aircraft, state the

reason a replacement is required (lost, damaged. destroyed, etc.) and

include the $2 replacement fee. The owner may request a 30-day 

registration letter sent by fax that enables operation of the aircraft

pending receipt of the replacement certificate.

26. MULTIPLE OWNERS. Although all owner’s names are recorded

in the aircraft file, the space provided on the certificate of

registration limits the number of names that may be shown to five. It

is important that the mailing address given be that of the first owner

listed on the application.

TYPES OF REGISTRATION

27. INDIVIDUAL. When an aircraft is owned by one person, they are

an individual owner. Their title in connection with aircraft

instruments is “owner.” The individual owner’s name must be

shown in addition to a trade name if one is used. (Example: John

Doe d.b.a. Doe Aircraft, signed by John Doe, owner.) If more than

one person is shown as applicant on the instrument, registration must

be made to them as co-owners or as partners. Individual trustees are

identified in this type.

28. CO-OWNERS. When an aircraft is owned by two or more persons

as co-owners, each person who shares title to the aircraft must sign

all instruments relating to the aircraft. The appropriate title would be 

“co-owner.” Each co-owners’ name must appear in addition to a

trade name if one is used.
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REGAR-94 (04/17) 

29. PARTNERSHIP. The names of all general partners must be stated

with the partnership name on the application for registration. If there 

is only one general partner, so state. One general partner may sign

instruments for the partnership if the full partnership name is shown

and the title “partner” follows his/her signature. The partnership

name is either the name under which the partners do business, or, if

none, the names of all general partners. An aircraft owned by a

partnership which has a corporation as a member (general or limited)

is not eligible for registration. Such a partnership does not come

within the definition of a “citizen of the United States.” [(49 USC

40102(a)(15)] 

30. CORPORATION. The name of the corporation must be shown,

and a corporate officer or a person in a managerial position should

sign the instrument and show their organizational title.

31. GOVERNMENT. Persons signing conveyances for Government

owned aircraft must show their title as evidence of the capacity in

which they act.

AUTHORITY TO SIGN FOR ANOTHER

32. In order to accept signatures not meeting the requirements of Items

27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, above, a certified true copy of the document 

authorizing the signer to act must be submitted unless such authority

is already on file with the Aircraft Registration Branch.

33. AGENT. Submit the original or a certified true copy of the

document authorizing the agent to act; i.e., power of attorney, signed

by the individual, all co-owners, or a general partner, whichever is

applicable. A corporation must submit a copy of the resolution of

the board of directors authorizing the agent to act, certified as true by 

a corporate officer or manager. An authorization is accepted as valid 

up to an expiration date stated therein or three years from the date it 

was signed. (See Certified True Copy Requirements, Item 42.)

34. GUARDIAN. The guardian of another person’s property which

includes an aircraft, must submit a certified true copy of the court

order appointing them as guardian. The name of both owner and

guardian should appear on all documents where the signature of the

guardian on behalf of the owner is required. The certificate of

registration is issued to the applicant as guardian.

35. ESTATE. A conveyance executed on behalf of the estate of a

deceased owner must be signed by the authorized representative of

the estate and should be accompanied by that representative’s

authority to sign for the estate, unless such authority is already on

file with the Aircraft Registration Branch. The name of the estate

should be shown, followed by the representative’s signature and title; 

i.e., Estate of John Doe by Richard Doe, Executor. The

representative’s name must be signed exactly as it appears on the

authorization document.

If registration is desired by the executor, administrator, or heir-atlaw, the application for registration and $5 registration fee for each 

aircraft should accompany the authorization document. The 

certificate of registration is issued to the executor or administrator.

36. EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR. A certified true copy of

Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration is required as

authority for an executor or administrator to act.

37. HEIR-AT-LAW. If no executor or administrator is appointed, a

notarized statement from the heir-at-law is required. The affidavit

should state that no application has been made for the appointment

of an executor or administrator and that, insofar as the affiant can

determine, no such application will be made; that they are the person

entitled to the aircraft under the laws of the state having jurisdiction;

or that under such laws they have the right to dispose of the aircraft.

38. TRUSTEE OF BANKRUPTCY. A certified true copy of the court

order appointing the trustee in bankruptcy, or other court order

naming the trustee, is required to show the trustee’s authority to sign. 

The bankrupt’s name should be shown, followed by the signature

and title of the trustee.

39. TRUSTEE. The applicant must submit a certified true copy of the

complete trust instrument. If the trustor and/or beneficiary is a nonU.S. citizen, a copy of each document legally affecting a relationship

under the trust must also be submitted pursuant to Part 47.7(c)(2)(i).

This document may be in the form of an operating agreement, or

similar side agreement or arrangement, involving trustee and trustor

or beneficiary, which allows possession and use of the aircraft at all

times to remain with the trustor and/or beneficiary. If no such

document exists, the applicant (owner trustee) must provide

sufficient assurances that no such operating agreement, or other side

agreement or arrangement exists between the trustee and the trustor

or beneficiary. This might take the form of a declaration by the

owner trustee in an affidavit submitted in support of a non-citizen 

trust registration, that no such agreement or arrangement has been

entered into by the trustee and the trustor or beneficiary. The

certificate of aircraft registration is issued to a single applicant as

trustee, or to several trustees jointly as co-trustees. The trustee(s)

must submit an affidavit to the effect that each beneficiary under the

trust, including each person whose security interest in the aircraft is

incorporated in the trust, is either a United States citizen or a resident

alien. If any beneficiary under the trust, including any person whose

security interest in the aircraft is incorporated in the trust, is not a

United States citizen or resident alien, an affidavit is required from

each trustee stating the trustee is not aware of any reason, situation,

or relationship as a result of which those persons together would

have more than 25 percent of the aggregate power to influence or

limit the exercise of the trustees’ authority. These affidavits are

required under Part 47.7(c)(2)(ii) and (iii) of the Federal Aviation

Regulations.

40. TRUST FORMED BY A PARTNERSHIP. A partnership of

which each member, considered separately, is a citizen of the United 

States may establish a trust and transfer legal title of the aircraft to

the respective trustee(s). The partnership, whose members,

considered separately, are citizens of the United States, may be a

beneficiary under the trust although the partnership itself may not

come within the definition of “citizen of the United States” by reason

of one of the members being a corporation. The applicant trustee(s)

must be either a United States citizen(s), including corporations, or

resident alien(s) and must certify such on the Application for

Registration. In addition, the trustee(s) must submit an affidavit that

each beneficiary, including each person whose security interest in the 

aircraft is incorporated in the trust, is either a United States citizen or

a resident alien (Section 47.7(c)(2)(ii)). If, however, any beneficiary

under the trust is not a United States citizen or resident alien, each

trustee must submit an affidavit that the trustee is not aware of any

reason, situation or relationship (involving beneficiaries or other

persons not citizens or resident aliens) as a result of which those

persons together would have more than 25 percent of the aggregate

power to influence or limit the exercise of the trustees’ authority

(FAR 47.7(c)(2)(iii)). The original or a certified copy of the

complete trust agreement and each additional document legally

affecting a relationship, including a security interest, under the trust

is required. Alternatively, if the subject aircraft is not owned as a

partnership asset, but is co-owned, and all the co-owners are

individually eligible to register aircraft, the aircraft may be registered

in the names of the co-owners. In any case where one or more of the 

co-owners is a corporation that is not a United States citizen, the 

requirements of Section 47.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

must be complied with fully. For further information, please contact

the Aeronautical Center Counsel, telephone (405) 954-3296.

CHANGE OF NAME

41. When a change of name occurs, the original, certified true copy, or

photo copy of the instrument approving the change is required; i.e.,

marriage certificate, certificate from the Secretary of State,

certificate from the Comptroller of U.S. Currency, approved merger

agreement, etc. A photo copy must show the official’s name, title,

and state seal if applicable. There is no fee for a simple name

change. A registration fee of $5 and an application for registration is

required for each aircraft when a merger, consolidation or conversion 

transfers the ownership of the aircraft to a different legal entity.
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CERTIFIED TRUE COPY

42. A certified true copy must be a complete copy (front and back) of the 

original including all terms, signatures, and dates, to which is

attached a signed statement that the copy has been compared with

the original and that it is a true copy. The copy must be legible,

reproducible, and printed on paper permanent in nature.

A document issued by a court of law should be certified as true by an 

officer of the court.

A certificate of incorporation must be certified as true either by the

Secretary of State or by a corporate officer of the certificate holder.

SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS

43. . Aircraft registration forms and documents submitted as evidence of

ownership or other interests in aircraft require the signature of the

applicant, seller, builder, or other appropriate parties. The FAA

Aircraft Registration Branch accepts original ink signed documents,

or printed duplicates of electronic documents that display legible

digital signatures. A legible and acceptable digital signature will: 

a. Show the name of the signer applied in a manner to execute or

validate the document; (Example: Digitally signed by John J.

Doe).

b. Include the typed or printed name of the signer below or adjacent 

to the signature when the signature uses a digitized or scanned

version of the signer’s hand scribed signature or the name is in a

cursive font;

c. Show the signer’s corporate, managerial, or partnership title

when they are signing on behalf of an organization or legal

entity;

d. Show evidence of authentication of the signer’s identity such as

the text “digitally signed by” along with the software provider’s

seal/ watermark, date and time of execution, or a code or key

identifying the software provider; and

e. Have a font, size and color density that is clearly legible and

reproducible when copied and scanned into a black and white

format.

FEES 

44. The current fees for aircraft registration, registration renewal,

duplicate certificate, replacement certificate, N-number reservation, 

N-number assignment, and dealers’ registration certificates are 

published in 14 CFR Part 47 Section 47.17 Fees.

The current fees for recording a Bill of Sale or similar evidence of 

ownership documents are published in 14 CFR Section 49.15.

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

45. To determine if a Limited Liability Company (L.L.C.) qualifies as

a citizen of the United States; its member’s citizenship is measured

against the citizenship definitions established by Title 49, U.S.C.,

40102(a)(15)(A),(B), & (C), and its management structure is measured

against 40102(a)(15)(C), which provide as follows:

“citizen of the United States” means – 

(A) an individual who is a citizen of the United States;

(B) a partnership each of whose partners is an individual who is a

citizen of the United States; or

(C) a corporation or association organized under the laws of the

United States or a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or

possession of the United States, of which the president and at least 

two-thirds of the board of directors and other managing officers

are citizens of the United States, and in which at least 75 percent

of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are

citizens of the United States.

When submitting documents to register in the name of an L.L.C., 

one of the following must also be submitted:

a. A copy of the document evidencing the organization of the L.L.C. 

(e.g., Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or

Operating Agreement). The submitted document must include the 

name of each of the members and clearly state whether

management of the L.L.C. is vested in its members, in a manager,

in its officers. The citizenship of each member, manager or

officer is also required and may be provided, in either a cover

letter or separate statement; OR,

b. A written representation that states how the L.L.C. qualifies as a

citizen of the United States that is signed by and shows the title of

a person with this knowledge. A satisfactory statement will

include the following information and representations:

1. The full name of the L.L.C.

2. The State in which the L.L.C. is lawfully organized.

3. The date the L.L.C. was legally formed or organized.

4. The Name of each of the members of the L.L.C. and their

type of entity (i.e., individual, corporation, partnership,

L.L.C.). NOTE: If a general or limited partnership is

involved in the L.L.C. as a member, manager, or officer, the 

statement should represent whether the partnership is

comprised entirely of individuals (natural persons).

5. Whether the L.L.C. is managed by its members, or by a

manager(s) or officer(s). NOTE: Show the title that will be

used to sign all documents.

6. The name of the manager(s) or officer(s), if applicable, and

type of entity if other than a natural person.

7. Whether the members, manager(s), or officer(s) may act

independently. NOTE: A non-citizen member or manager

may not act independently in a management capacity.

8. A description as to how each legal entity within the L.L.C.

structure supports a determination that the L.L.C. is a citizen

of the United States as required by 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(15).

NOTE: If a partnership is involved in the L.L.C., the

statement must represent the citizenship of each partner.

If the applicant L.L.C. includes a member or manager that is also 

an L.L.C., the above documentation must also be provided for the 

member L.L.C.

If the management of the L.L.C. changes at a later date, (e.g., 

originally managed by the members, but now by a manager), the L.L.C. 

must provide written notice of the change to the Registry. This may be 

submitted in the form of a written statement, a copy of minutes of a 

meeting, an amended operating agreement, etc. The submitted 

document must explain any changes or additions made and give the 

effective date of those changes or additions.