Frequently Asked Questions

FAA aircraft registrations are valid for a period of three years from the date the registration is issued. This three-year term applies to all U.S.-registered civil aircraft, including private, commercial, and experimental models. So, after three years, you need to renew the FAA aircraft registration.



Your Certificate of Aircraft Registration must be kept onboard the aircraft during operation. It’s important to keep track of the expiration date on this certificate to avoid lapses in registration.
What Happens If You Don’t Renew Your FAA Aircraft Registration?
Failing to renew your FAA aircraft registration before the expiration date can lead to several consequences. First and foremost, operating an aircraft with an expired registration is illegal and may subject the owner or operator to enforcement actions by the FAA. This could include fines or other penalties. Additionally, insurance companies might refuse claims if the aircraft’s registration is not current, leaving owners financially exposed.

Expired registration can also complicate transactions such as selling the aircraft, leasing, or using it in commercial operations. The FAA may require the registration to be current before approving transfers or changes of ownership. 

It can also delay or prevent the issuance of necessary airworthiness certificates or operating authorizations. Maintaining an active registration helps avoid these issues and ensures uninterrupted aircraft operations.
How We Help with FAA Aircraft Registration Renewal
The National Aviation Center offers a user-friendly online platform that simplifies the FAA aircraft registration renewal process. Instead of navigating complex paperwork and waiting in long queues, aircraft owners can complete renewal applications quickly and efficiently through our portal. Our system provides clear guidance on required documents, fees, and deadlines, reducing errors and delays.

Our portal also offers automated reminders as your registration expiration approaches, helping you stay on top of deadlines. Renewing through our platform saves time and provides peace of mind by confirming submission to the FAA. This convenience makes it easier for aircraft owners to comply with federal requirements without disrupting their flying schedules.
Services for Initial Aircraft Registration
In addition to renewals, the National Aviation Center assists with first-time FAA aircraft registrations. Registering a new or imported aircraft with the FAA involves specific forms, ownership documentation, and fee payments. Our online portal collects all necessary information and guides users through each step, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish.

Having an accurate and valid FAA registration is vital from the moment you acquire an aircraft. We help streamline this initial registration so you can begin operating legally as soon as possible.
Supporting Changes to Registration Information
Aircraft owners often need to update registration details during ownership. Changes can include updating mailing addresses, ownership transfers, or name corrections. Our services also cover these updates, allowing users to submit amendment requests through the same convenient portal.

Maintaining accurate registration information ensures correspondence from the FAA reaches the owner and avoids administrative complications. The National Aviation Center makes updating your aircraft’s registration easy, keeping your records current and compliant.
How to Know When to Renew Your FAA Aircraft Registration
The FAA issues a Certificate of Aircraft Registration with an expiration date clearly marked. Aircraft owners should monitor this date closely to avoid expiration. The FAA recommends submitting renewal applications at least 30 days before the registration’s expiry to allow for processing.

Using the National Aviation Center’s online portal, you can set up email reminders so you never miss your FAA aircraft registration renewal window. This proactive approach helps prevent lapses and keeps your aircraft legally registered at all times.
Consequences of Delayed or Missed Renewals
If your FAA aircraft registration expires and you continue to operate the aircraft, you risk FAA enforcement actions, which can include monetary penalties. Beyond legal issues, expired registration can lead to operational disruptions. You may face difficulty when dealing with maintenance providers, insurers, or authorities requiring valid documentation.

Renewing promptly through the National Aviation Center helps avoid these complications and maintains uninterrupted aircraft use.
Fee Structure for FAA Aircraft Registration Renewal
The FAA charges a standard fee for each registration or renewal, which is required to process your application. Our online portal clearly lists current fees and includes payment processing options, so you can complete the entire renewal without leaving the website.

We also keep track of any changes in fees or regulations to provide accurate and up-to-date information, reducing confusion during the renewal process.

Maintaining current FAA aircraft registration is more than a legal requirement; it supports safe and responsible aviation. Accurate registration helps the FAA maintain up-to-date records on aircraft ownership, facilitating investigations, recalls, or safety notices when necessary.

By renewing your FAA aircraft registration on time through the National Aviation Center, you contribute to the integrity and safety of the national airspace system.
Additional Support and Resources
The National Aviation Center also provides resources to help aircraft owners with common questions about FAA registration. Whether you’re unsure about documents needed for renewal, payment methods, or eligibility criteria, our platform offers clear instructions and responsive customer service.

This support extends beyond registration renewal to include first-time registrations, transfers of ownership, and address changes. Our goal is to make all FAA registration-related processes as simple and accessible as possible.
FAA Aircraft Registration Renewal Services and Beyond 
The National Aviation Center’s services cover all key FAA aircraft registration needs, including:

Renewing FAA aircraft registration quickly and accurately
Registering new or imported aircraft for the first time
Updating ownership or contact information
Providing timely reminders about expiration dates
Offering detailed guidance and responsive support

This comprehensive approach helps aircraft owners meet FAA requirements without unnecessary delays or confusion.

For aircraft owners seeking to maintain compliance and avoid penalties, the National Aviation Center’s online portal provides a valuable resource. Renewing your FAA aircraft registration through our platform is efficient and reliable, ensuring your aircraft remains legally registered and ready for operation. We can help with renewal and more through our portal. 

An N-number is the registration number for an aircraft registered in the United States.
It's a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The "N" stands for "National" and is followed by a combination of numbers and letters.

Airplane tail numbers are essentially the unique identification codes assigned to aircraft. They are similar to license plates for cars.


Purpose: They are used to identify specific aircraft for air traffic control, regulatory purposes, and for tracking ownership and maintenance records.
Location: Typically displayed on the tail of the aircraft, but can also be found on the fuselage.
Format: Varies by country, but generally consists of a combination of letters and numbers.

The "N" in US tail numbers stands for "National".

It was assigned to the United States under the International Air Navigation Convention held in 1919. This convention established a system of international aircraft identification, with each country being allocated a specific letter.

N-numbers, the registration numbers for U.S. aircraft, adhere to specific guidelines:


Format: Consists of the letter "N" followed by one to five alphanumeric characters.
Numeric Start: The initial character must be a number (excluding zero).
Character Limit: The total number of characters (excluding the "N") cannot exceed five.
Letter Placement: Letters can be placed at the end of the number, with a maximum of two letters.
Reserved Numbers: N1 to N99 are reserved for FAA use.
Obsolete Prefixes: NC, NX, NR, and NL are no longer issued.

An Aircraft Security Agreement is a legal document that establishes a security interest in an aircraft. This means that the aircraft is used as collateral to secure a loan or other financial obligation.

In the United States, aircraft registration is now valid for seven years.

This means that if you registered your aircraft after January 23, 2023, you won't need to renew it until seven years from the date of initial registration.

If your aircraft registration expired before January 23, 2023, it was valid for three years.

An Airworthiness Certificate is an official document issued by a civil aviation authority that certifies an aircraft is in airworthy condition. This means it meets the required safety standards for flight.

Essentially, it's like a driver's license for an aircraft. Without a valid Airworthiness Certificate, an aircraft cannot legally fly.

American Citizens and Foreign Country Citizens Lawfully Admitted for US Permanent Residence

United States citizens can register an aircraft, as can individual citizens of foreign countries who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in America. 

Additionally, a corporation can register an aircraft if the corporation is organized and doing business under American laws or in a State within America, provided that the aircraft is both primarily used in America or based in the country. 

Use the following link for FAA registration. 

An aircraft abstract is typically a concise summary of an aircraft's technical data and specifications. It provides essential information about the aircraft's design, performance, and capabilities.

No, you may not operate a U.S.-registered aircraft in the U.S. unless you possess a U.S. pilot license (certificate).

You can record a security agreement against an aircraft by filling out our Aircraft Security Agreement form.

Processing time is generally 12 to 16 weeks after documents are received. In compliance with statutory requirements, documents are processed in the order in which they are received.

An aircraft is eligible for U.S. Registration if it is not registered in another country and it is owned by:

An individual who is a United States citizen,
A partnership each of whose partners is an individual who is a U.S. citizen,
A corporation or association:
organized under the laws of the U.S. or a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory or possession,
of which the president and at least two-thirds of the board of directors and other managing officers are U.S citizens, and
in which at least 75% of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are U.S. citizens,
An individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.,
A U.S. governmental unit or subdivision
A non-U.S. citizen corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the U.S. or one of the States as long as the aircraft is based and primarily used in the U.S. (60% of all flight hours must be from flights starting and ending within the U.S.)

If you are registering an aircraft for the first time, you will need to submit a form for Initial Registration.

General aviation aircraft are aircraft operated under 14 CFR part 91 rules, which could be any category of airplane, including transport category and rotorcraft.  Additionally, airplanes operated under 14 CFR parts121 and 135, which may include small airplanes, are not considered General Aviation aircraft when operated under these rules.

The regulations do not consider physical cleaning of an aircraft as maintenance or preventative maintenance.  However, when preparing the aircraft for cleaning requires removal of components or protection of components, that may fall under the definition of maintenance or preventative maintenance.  For example, before cleaning an aircraft, it may be necessary to close and secure the upper and lower fan cowl doors on a transport category aircraft.  The FAA considers the closing and securing of the engine fan cowl doors maintenance.  Additionally, after the cleaning process, it may be necessary to reapply lubrication compounds and preservatives to aircraft components, both of which could be considered maintenance/preventative maintenance.  Conversely, we do not consider cleaning seat cushions/covers maintenance or preventative maintenance.

14 CFR part 1 defines a small aircraft as an aircraft of 12,500 lbs or less maximum certificated take-off weight.  Therefore, any airplane, including transport category airplanes, could be considered small by the Part 1 definition if the airplane is less than 12,500 lbs.

You may contact your nearest FAA Aircraft Certification Office with questions about airworthiness of an aircraft.

You can record an aircraft claim of lien by filling out our Claim of Lien form.