You must register your drone with the FAA to receive the Part 137 certification and obtain insurance. There are two separate and distinct processes for registering a drone with the FAA depending upon the aircraft weight.

For drones under 55 lbs., complete the Part 107 registration process. 

For drones over 55 lbs., complete the FAA aircraft registration process to receive an N-number. 

Register Your Drone at FFA Drone Zone.

Information needed to register:

• Physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Make and model of your drone
• Remote ID serial number provided by the manufacturer (if applicable) 20 digits beginning with 1581F…
• Credit or debit card

Registration Fees

Part 107 registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three (3) years.

Expected Approval Time: The FAA is currently 2 months in arrears with processing these registrations.

• Step 1: Download the Aircraft Registration Application form AC 8050-1.

You MUST download the application from the FAA site for it to be valid. It cannot be a computer-generated or photocopied form. It is a fillable form that can be filled out on the computer, but it must be an original pen signed form. Also, there can be no white outs, strike throughs, or corrections within the form.

• Step 2: Follow the outlined directions in Step 1 and complete the form. Include the needed documents based on which option you are using to register your drone — filing as an individual, filing as an LLC or reserving your own N number.

Mailing instructions are included in the instructions with the application. Also include the $5 registration fee made payable to the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Instructions for completing the 8050-1 are pretty straight forward, except block 1. In this block, the FAA is asking for the applicant to list the N number. If you do not have an N number, then write the phrase “next available” in block 1. 

The following additional documents are required, at a minimum, when you file your registration as an individual:

1. FAA Form 8050-1 application form
2. Invoice for the drone or if it was a used, previously registered drone then complete the Aircraft Bill of Sale (Form AC 8050-2)
3. sUAS Affidavit (This form MUST be notarized

Even if you own an L.L.C., you can register your drone as an individual. However, ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST MATCH. For example: If your aircraft invoice or bill of sale is listed in the L.L.C. company name, then the 8050-1 application and all other documents must also be in the company name. You cannot have one document listed in the company name and another listed as an individual.

The following additional documents are required when you file your registration in the name of an L.L.C.:

1. FAA Form 8050-1 application form
2. Invoice for the drone or if it was a used, previously registered drone then complete the Aircraft Bill of Sale (Form AC 8050-2)
3. sUAS Affidavit (This form MUST be notarized)
4. L.L.C evidence from the following (a) or (b)

Even if you own an L.L.C., you can register your drone as an individual. However, ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST MATCH. For example: If your aircraft invoice or bill of sale is listed in the L.L.C. company name, then the 8050-1 application and all other documents must also be in the company name. You cannot have one document listed in the company name and another listed as an individual.

One option to the registration process is to reserve an N-Number. Note: There is no real benefit to reserving a N-number unless you really want a certain number. This has no effect on processing time.

Reserve an N-Number at FAA Registry Aircraft N-Number Reservation

There is an extra $10.00 fee for this service that can be paid online. If you choose this option, a separate cover letter explaining the N-Number reservation will accompany the actual 8050-1 application with the following phrase, or similar.

“I have previously reserved N-Number (then put what N-Number you have reserved), However, if that N-Number is not available, I am requesting the next available N-Number.”

If you choose to reserve your own N-Number, the FAA will mail you confirmation of that N-Number. That is the number that will be entered in block 1. Remember, a separate cover letter accompanies the application when reserving an N-Number.

Do I have to wait until the FAA mails me confirmation of N-Number reservation?

NO, you can submit your registration application form 8050-1 before confirmation. Since a separate cover letter accompanies the application when reserving an N-Number anyway, you can explain what N-Number you have registered for, and that is the number you are requesting, or next available.

If you chose to reserve your own N-Number as an individual, as explained above, a separate cover letter explaining the N number reservation will also accompany the actual 8050-1 application, along with the BOS or invoice, and sUAS Affidavit.

For additional information about registering your under 55 lbs. aircraft: CLICK HERE

For additional information about registering your over 55 lbs. aircraft: CLICK HERE

For questions, visit the FAA’s website or contact the FAA at 866-762-9434 or 405-954-3116. This number has an automated menu that will answer many questions up front but has an option “0” for a live employee to answer questions.

Note: Your registration is not required to begin the FAA regulatory exemption process. However, a registration number is required for obtaining your Part 137 certification.