Drone Registration Steps

Why Drone Registration Matters

Before you take your new drone for its first flight, there’s one critical legal requirement you must complete: registering it with the Federal Aviation Administration. Drone registration might seem like bureaucratic red tape, but it serves important purposes for aviation safety, accountability, and law enforcement.

This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about drone registration—who must register, how to complete the process, what it costs, and how to properly display your registration number. Whether you’re flying for fun or profit, understanding registration requirements is your first step toward legal, responsible drone operation.

Who Must Register a Drone?

The Weight Threshold

The fundamental rule is simple: if your drone weighs between 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and 55 pounds (25 kilograms), you must register it before flying.

This weight includes everything that’s attached during flight:

• The drone itself
• Battery
• Propellers
• Camera and gimbal
• Any payload or accessories attached during flight

If you add components that push your drone over the 250-gram threshold—like a larger battery, broadcast Remote ID module, or payload—the total weight matters for registration, not the base drone weight.

Drones That Don’t Require Registration

Under 0.55 Pounds (250 grams): Small drones like the original DJI Mini and Mini SE don’t require registration for recreational use because they weigh less than 250 grams. However, if you’re flying them commercially under Part 107, they must be registered regardless of weight.

Over 55 Pounds: Drones heavier than 55 pounds cannot be registered through the standard process. These require special certification and fall under different FAA regulations, typically requiring COA (Certificate of Authorization) or other specialized approvals.

Age Requirements

To register a drone, you must be at least 13 years old. If you’re younger than 13, a parent or guardian must register the drone on your behalf. The adult registrant becomes the legally responsible party for the aircraft’s operation and compliance.

Recreational vs. Commercial Registration

The FAA offers two distinct registration pathways depending on how you use your drone.

Recreational Registration (Part 48)

Recreational registration is for pilots flying purely for hobby or personal enjoyment under 44 USC §44809 (Exception for Limited Recreational Operations).

Key Features:

• Cost: $5
• Duration: 3 years
• Coverage: One registration number covers ALL drones you own
• Registration Type: Registered to the pilot/owner, not individual aircraft
• Display: Same registration number on every drone you fly

This is the registration most hobbyists and recreational pilots use. It’s economical and simple—pay once, register all your drones for three years.

Commercial Registration (Part 47)

Commercial registration is required if you’re flying under Part 107 for any business purpose, compensation, or commercial application.

Key Features:

• Cost: $5 per aircraft
• Duration: 3 years per aircraft
• Coverage: Each individual drone requires separate registration
• Registration Type: Registered to the specific aircraft
• Display: Unique registration number for each drone

Commercial operators must register each drone individually. If you have a fleet of 10 drones, that’s 10 separate registrations at $5 each.

Choosing the Right Registration Type

The distinction is based on how you use the drone, not who owns it:

Use Recreational Registration if you:

• Fly purely for personal enjoyment
• Share photos/videos only with family and friends
• Practice flying skills as a hobby
• Race drones at events for fun (non-professional)
• Take photos/videos for personal memories

Use Commercial Registration if you:

• Hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Receive any compensation for flying (money, products, services)
• Conduct real estate photography
• Perform inspections or surveys
• Create content for business marketing
• Sell photos or videos captured by drone

Important: If you fly the same drone both recreationally and commercially, it must be registered commercially (Part 47). Once a drone is used for commercial purposes, it requires commercial registration.

The Registration Process: Step-by-Step

Before You Begin

Have this information ready:

• Valid email address
• Physical address (P.O. boxes are not accepted)
• Credit or debit card for $5 fee
• Drone make and model information

Step 1: Access FAA DroneZone

Navigate to faadronezone.faa.gov, the FAA’s official drone registration portal. This is the only authorized site for drone registration—beware of third-party sites charging extra fees.

Step 2: Create an Account

If this is your first time, you’ll need to create a DroneZone account:

• Click “Register” or “Create Account”
• Provide your email address
• Create a secure password
• Verify your email through the confirmation link sent to your inbox

Save your login credentials—you’ll need them to renew registration in three years and for any future airspace authorizations or waivers.

Step 3: Choose Registration Type

After logging in:

• Select whether you’re registering for recreational or commercial use
• For recreational: “Register UAS for Recreation”
• For commercial: “Register UAS for Part 107”

Step 4: Provide Required Information

Personal Information:

• Full legal name
• Physical street address (where you reside)
• Phone number
• Date of birth

Aircraft Information (Commercial Registration Only):

• Manufacturer name
• Model name
• Serial number (if available)

Recreational registration doesn’t require specific aircraft details—your single registration covers all qualifying drones.

Step 5: Pay the Fee

The registration fee is $5.00 for recreational registration or $5.00 per aircraft for commercial registration. Payment is accepted via:

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
• Debit card

The payment is processed immediately, and the fee is non-refundable.

Step 6: Receive Your Registration Number

Upon successful payment, you’ll immediately receive:

• Registration Number: Your unique FAA registration identifier
• Registration Certificate: Downloadable PDF certificate
• Confirmation Email: Email with registration details and certificate attachment

Save multiple copies: Download the PDF, save the email, and consider printing a physical copy. Store copies in multiple locations—cloud storage, computer, phone, and physical file.

Format of Registration Numbers

Recreational registration numbers typically look like: FA38FU2T9VK

Commercial registration numbers follow standard aircraft registration format: N-numbers like N12345 or N876AB

Displaying Your Registration Number

Having a registration number isn’t enough—you must properly display it on your drone according to FAA requirements.

Display Requirements

Your registration number must be:

• Visible: Readable without magnification
• Accessible: Viewable without using tools (screwdrivers, etc.)
• Legible: Clear, not faded or obscured
• Permanent Method: Affixed in a way that’s durable (won’t easily fall off)

Where to Place the Registration Number

The FAA allows flexibility in placement:

External Placement: Place the number on the outside of the drone where it’s clearly visible. Common locations include:

• Bottom of the drone body
• Inside the battery compartment (if accessible without tools)
• Under a snap-off cover or easily removable panel

Internal Accessible Placement: The number can be inside a compartment as long as it’s accessible without tools. Many pilots place it inside the battery bay where it’s protected from weather but easily viewable when the battery is removed.

Methods for Marking

Several methods work well:

Label Maker: Using a handheld label maker with permanent adhesive is popular. Create a label with your registration number and affix it securely to the drone.

Permanent Marker: Fine-point permanent markers (like Sharpie) work well on many surfaces. Write clearly and consider going over it twice for durability.

Engraving: Some pilots engrave their registration number for permanence. This works well on metal or hard plastic surfaces.

Custom Stickers: Online services offer custom drone registration stickers. These are durable, weather-resistant, and professional-looking.

What NOT to Do

• Don’t use easily removable materials: Scotch tape, sticky notes, or paper labels that fall off in rain
• Don’t make it microscopic: The number should be readable without magnification
• Don’t hide it behind panels requiring tools: If you need a screwdriver to access it, it’s not compliant
• Don’t forget to mark it: Having a registration number but not displaying it is a violation

Registration for Multiple Drones

Recreational Pilots with Multiple Drones

This is where recreational registration shines. One $5 registration covers all your drones:

• Use the same registration number on every drone you own
• Add or remove drones from your fleet without updating registration
• No need to notify the FAA when you buy new drones (as long as they’re for recreation)

Whether you have 1 drone or 20, you pay $5 once every three years for recreational registration.

Commercial Operators with Multiple Drones

Commercial registration requires individual registration for each aircraft:

• Each drone gets its own unique N-number
• Each registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years
• You must track expiration dates for each aircraft
• When you sell a drone, you must update the registration

For businesses operating drone fleets, this means maintaining a registration database and ensuring each aircraft’s registration stays current.

Registration Duration and Renewal

Three-Year Validity Period

All drone registrations—recreational and commercial—are valid for three years from the date of registration.

Renewal Process

The FAA sends renewal reminders via email approximately 60 days before expiration. To renew:

• Log into FAA DroneZone
• Select the registration to renew
• Update any changed information (address, email, etc.)
• Pay the $5 renewal fee
• Receive your renewed certificate

Your registration number stays the same—you don’t need to re-mark your drones. Only the expiration date changes.

Consequences of Expired Registration

Flying with an expired registration is a violation equivalent to flying an unregistered drone. Penalties can include:

• Civil penalties up to $32,666
• Criminal penalties in extreme cases
• Certificate action for Part 107 pilots

Set calendar reminders well before your expiration date to avoid lapses.

Updating Registration Information

When to Update

You must update your registration within 30 days if you:

• Change your physical address
• Change your legal name
• Sell or transfer a commercially registered drone
• Destroy or permanently lose a commercially registered drone

How to Update

Updates are made through FAA DroneZone:

• Log into your account
• Select the registration to modify
• Update the relevant information
• Submit the changes (usually no additional fee)

Transferring Registration

Selling a Commercially Registered Drone

When selling a drone with commercial registration:

• The buyer must register the drone in their name
• You should cancel your registration for that specific aircraft
• Provide the buyer with the drone’s details to facilitate their registration
• Document the transfer in case questions arise later

Selling Recreational Drones

Since recreational registration is tied to the pilot, not the aircraft:

• Your registration stays with you (for your remaining drones)
• The buyer must obtain their own registration
• No need to update FAA records when you sell recreational drones

Special Cases and Situations

Flying Someone Else’s Drone

Recreational: If you borrow a friend’s drone for recreational use, it must be registered (either under their name or yours). The registered owner takes responsibility.

Commercial: If you’re flying someone else’s commercially registered drone under Part 107, you need your Remote Pilot Certificate, and the drone must be registered. The aircraft owner and remote pilot may be different people.

Drones Bought Used

When buying a used drone:

• Recreational: Register it under your recreational registration (or obtain one if you don’t have it)
• Commercial: Register the specific aircraft in your name
• The previous owner’s registration doesn’t transfer to you

International Pilots Flying in the US

Foreign nationals and visitors flying drones in the United States must:

• Register with the FAA if their drone weighs over 250 grams
• Use a “trustee” (a US citizen or resident) to register on their behalf
• Comply with all FAA regulations while in US airspace

Carrying Proof of Registration

What to Carry While Flying

While flying, you should have:

• Proof of Registration: Digital copy on smartphone or physical printout
• Part 107 Certificate: If flying commercially, carry your Remote Pilot Certificate
• TRUST Certificate: If flying recreationally, carry proof of TRUST completion

Law Enforcement Requests

FAA inspectors, law enforcement, and other authorized officials can request:

• Proof of drone registration
• Pilot certification (Part 107 or TRUST)
• Inspection of the registration number on the aircraft

Failure to produce registration upon request can result in enforcement action.

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

• Flying Before Registering: Register before the first flight, not after
• Not Marking the Drone: Registration without displaying the number is non-compliant
• Using the Wrong Registration Type: Commercial use requires commercial registration, even if occasional
• Forgetting to Renew: Set reminders well before the 3-year expiration
• P.O. Box Address: The FAA requires a physical street address
• Losing Registration Certificate: Keep multiple copies in different locations
• Not Updating Address: Update within 30 days of moving

Registration and Insurance

While FAA registration is required, drone insurance is not mandatory under federal law (though some states or local jurisdictions may require it).

However, having registration can help with insurance:

• Some insurance providers require FAA registration for coverage
• Registration proves legal compliance and responsible ownership
• In case of accident or loss, registration helps establish ownership

Conclusion: A Simple but Essential Requirement

Drone registration is straightforward, inexpensive, and essential for legal flight operations. At just $5 for recreational pilots (covering all your drones) or $5 per aircraft for commercial operators, it’s one of the most cost-effective regulatory requirements in aviation.

More importantly, registration serves critical purposes beyond compliance. It promotes accountability, aids law enforcement, helps recover lost drones, and contributes to the overall safety and organization of the National Airspace System.

Whether you’re unboxing your first drone or adding to a commercial fleet, make registration your first priority. The 10-minute process ensures you’re legal from day one and sets the foundation for responsible, compliant drone operations for years to come.

Register through the official FAA DroneZone portal, properly mark your aircraft, keep your registration current, and fly with confidence knowing you’ve met this fundamental requirement of drone operation.