Aeronautical Information Manual

AIM

10/5/23

NOTE

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The FAA’s Aircraft Registration Unmanned Aircraft (UA) website may be viewed at:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/air craft_certification/aircraft_registry/UA/.

REFERENCE

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14 CFR Part 47, Aircraft Registration.

Registering UAS under 14 CFR Part 47. For those UAS, which do not meet the weight stipulations for

registration under 14 CFR Part 48, registration is accomplished under 14 CFR Part 47. 14 CFR Part 47

registration will result in an “N”

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number like those assigned to manned aircraft. To learn more about the process

and to register a UAS under Part 47, see the FAA’s Aircraft Registration Unmanned Aircraft (UA) website. If

desired by the owner, any UAS may be registered under 14 CFR Part 47.

NOTE

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The FAA’s Aircraft Registration Unmanned Aircraft (UA) website may be viewed at:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/air craft_certification/aircraft_registry/UA/.

Registering UAS under 14 CFR Part 48. For most operators of sUAS (those UAS weighing less than 55

pounds MGOW), registration under 14 CFR Part 48, Registration and Marking Requirements for Small UA,

will be most expedient and the least expensive. 14 CFR Part 48 registrants are those UAS flyers operating under

either of the following statutes:

Part 107. Under the provisions of Part 107, all UAS must be registered regardless of weight. Operations

under Part 107 are generally those involving commerce, but can be for recreation as well.

Recreational Flyers. UAS that are flown exclusively for recreational purposes must be registered if they

weigh more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams).

NOTE

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If you are not sure what kind of a drone flyer you are, refer to the FAA’s User Identification Tool at:

https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/user_identification_tool/ , or visit the FAA Getting Started webpage at:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/ .

Registrations cannot be transferred between 14 CFR Part 107 UAS and 49 USC 44809 UAS.

REFERENCE

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14 CFR Part 48, Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft.

How to register a UAS under 14 CFR Part 48:

To register a UAS online under Part 48, refer to the FAA’s DroneZone website. When registering a UAS

online under Part 48, you will need to select registration in either Part 107 or the exception for recreational flyers.

Registration fees for Part 107 registration are per sUAS, and the registration is valid for three years. Each

Part 107 registered sUAS will receive a different number. Recreational flyer registration fees are per UAS and

valid for three years, but the same registration number can be applied to any UAS in the registrant’s ownership.

The recreational flyer will receive one registration number that can be used for all UAS flown by that person.

In order to register, a person must be 13 years of age or older and be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

If the owner is less than 13 years of age, another person 13 years of age or older must register the UAS and that

person must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

An FAA registration certificate will be issued after UAS registration. The registration certificate (either

paper copy or digital copy) must be available for inspection during all flight operations. If an individual other

than the registered owner operates a UAS, the registration certificate (either paper copy or digital copy) must

also be available for inspection during all flight operations. Federal law requires registered UAS operators, if

asked, to show their certificate of registration to any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer. Failure to

civil penalties up to $27,500.

NOTE

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The FAA’s DroneZone website may be viewed at: https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/

Labeling a UAS with a registration number. All UAS requiring registration must be marked with a

registration number before being flown. The UAS registration number can be applied to the aircraft by

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Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)