Your FAA pilot certificate isn’t just a piece of plastic—it’s your professional license. But what many pilots overlook is that it’s also tied to your mailing address on file with the FAA.
If you’ve recently moved, changed your residence, or switched to a mail forwarding service, there’s something you must do within 30 days: file FAA Form AC 8060-55.
This simple, single-page form ensures the FAA can reach you with critical documents—like medical certificate updates, renewal reminders, or even enforcement notices. And if they can’t reach you? You could unknowingly lose your flying privileges.
In this 2025 guide, you’ll learn exactly what FAA Form AC 8060-55 is, who must file it, and how to submit it correctly—so you stay compliant and off the FAA’s radar.
What is FAA Form AC 8060-55?
FAA Form AC 8060-55 is the official Change of Address Notification form used by pilots and airman certificate holders to update their mailing address with the FAA.
This isn’t just for keeping records clean—it’s a legal requirement.
According to 14 CFR § 61.60, every holder of an FAA certificate (whether you’re a private pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor) must notify the FAA within 30 days of changing their permanent address.
The form itself is a single-page document. It includes basic personal information like your full name, certificate number, date of birth, and most importantly—your new address. If you live in a rural area where a street address isn’t available, you’re expected to include detailed map directions.
But don’t treat this form as an administrative afterthought. Your address on file with the FAA is how they send you everything—from medical certification notices to renewal forms, investigation letters, or even enforcement actions.
Miss one of those, and you could lose privileges without knowing.
This makes Form 8060-55 a critical step in staying legally qualified to fly. Not submitting it means you’re not compliant—and that’s grounds for certificate suspension.
Who Needs to Submit This Form?
Any airman certificate holder who changes their address must file FAA Form AC 8060-55. The regulation doesn’t care if the move is local, across states, or temporary. If your mailing address changes, even slightly, you have 30 days to report it.
Here’s who’s included:
- Student pilots
- Private, commercial, and airline transport pilots
- Certified flight instructors (CFIs)
- Ground instructors
- Remote drone pilots under Part 107
- Aircraft mechanics and repairmen
If you hold any FAA-issued certificate, you fall under this rule.
This also applies to international pilots who use U.S. mail forwarding services for FAA compliance. The FAA does not accept PO boxes as standalone addresses. You must provide a physical residential address, or at minimum, clear directions to your residence.
Some mail services offer compliant options by giving you a street address and scan-forwarding your FAA mail. But even then, the burden is still on you to keep that address current with the FAA.
Failing to submit this form on time can lead to your certificate being placed on hold or worse—revoked for non-compliance. And that’s something no active pilot can afford.
When Must You Submit Form AC 8060-55?
The FAA doesn’t leave this to your judgment. You’re legally required to submit Form AC 8060-55 within 30 days of changing your permanent mailing address.
This 30-day window applies whether you’ve:
- Moved to a new house or apartment
- Started using a mail forwarding service
- Switched from a PO box to a street address
- Relocated temporarily, but plan to stay long-term
Why does the FAA care so much? Because your address is their only official line of communication with you. If something goes wrong—say your medical is due, or there’s a security investigation—and their mail bounces back, that’s on you.
And here’s the kicker: If you fail to update your address, the FAA can legally state that you were notified, even if the letter never reached you. That means enforcement actions, fines, or certificate limitations could all move forward without you ever seeing the notice.
Missing that 30-day deadline might seem harmless—but it’s not. It’s a fast way to fall out of regulatory compliance, and the consequences can be career-ending.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FAA Form AC 8060-55
Filling out the form is simple—but easy to mess up if you’re rushing. Here’s how to complete it the right way, line by line:
Step 1: Full Name and Certificate Number Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your FAA certificate. Include your certificate number if you have it. If not, you can enter your Social Security Number (SSN) or Foreign ID (if applicable), though SSN is optional.
Step 2: Date and Place of Birth: This helps the FAA match you correctly in their records, especially if your name is common.
Step 3: New Mailing Address: Write your full residential mailing address. This must be a U.S. street address. If you’re in a rural area or only have a PO box, you need to also include detailed map directions or a physical delivery point.
Step 4: Old Address (optional but helpful): Including your previous address can speed up record matching and processing.
Step 5: Signature and Date: Sign the form in ink (if submitting by mail) and add today’s date. Make sure the form is legible and complete—no missing fields, no crossed-out errors.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Submitting a PO box without a physical address
- Using abbreviations or partial info
- Leaving the form unsigned
- Using an outdated version of the form
A small mistake here can delay your update—or worse, leave you non-compliant without realizing it.
Where and How to Submit the FAA Form AC 8060-55
Once you’ve filled out FAA Form AC 8060-55, you have two ways to submit it—by mail or online.
Option 1: Mail Submission
You can send the completed form to the FAA’s Airmen Certification Branch:
FAA AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
United States
This is the traditional route. It works fine, but expect processing to take several weeks, especially if you’re mailing from outside the U.S. There’s also no immediate confirmation that your update has been received unless you send it via certified mail.
Option 2: Submit Online via FAA Airmen Certification Portal
If you’re a U.S.-based pilot, this is the faster, safer, and more reliable method. Just log in to the FAA’s official Airmen Certification Portal and update your address online.
You’ll need your:
- FAA certificate number
- Date of birth
- Last name as listed on your certificate
Once submitted, the system will show a confirmation, and your records are usually updated within a few business days.
Can You Use a Mail Forwarding Address?
This is a common question—especially among international pilots or U.S. certificate holders who travel full-time. The short answer is:
Yes, but with conditions.
The FAA does not accept PO boxes as your sole address. However, you can use a mail forwarding service as long as it provides:
- A U.S. street address
- The ability to receive official mail (including certified letters)
- Clear map directions or delivery access if required
Many FAA-compliant forwarding services—like Dba FAA Mailforwarding—offer these solutions. They provide you with a legitimate street address in the U.S. and can scan and email your FAA mail to wherever you are in the world.
This makes them especially useful for:
- Foreign pilots flying under FAA licenses
- Traveling flight instructors or ferry pilots
- U.S. expats who still hold FAA certificates
Still, you’re responsible for ensuring the address is accurate and updated via FAA Form AC 8060-55. The FAA doesn’t care who owns the mailbox—as long as they can reach you at that location.
What Happens If You Don’t File FAA Form AC 8060-55?
The consequences of not submitting FAA Form AC 8060-55 can be more serious than most pilots realize.
If you don’t update your address within 30 days, the FAA considers you non-compliant with federal aviation regulations under 14 CFR § 61.60. And the penalty? You could lose the legal right to exercise your certificate privileges—that includes flying, instructing, or operating under your FAA pilot license.
Here’s what might happen:
- Missed Medical Notices: If your medical certificate is expiring and the FAA can’t notify you, you could unknowingly become unfit to fly.
- Enforcement Letters Ignored: If the FAA sends a letter related to a violation or investigation and it gets returned, they consider you were notified anyway. That means legal action can move forward without your awareness.
- Certificate Suspension or Revocation: In extreme cases, continued non-compliance with address updates can be grounds for certificate suspension—especially if it’s part of a larger pattern of regulatory neglect.
And here’s the worst part: the burden is on you to ensure they have your current address. Saying “I didn’t get the letter” holds no weight if you didn’t file Form 8060-55.
Want a Certificate with the New Address? Submit FAA Form AC 8060-56
It’s important to understand the difference between updating your records and getting a new certificate.
When you submit FAA Form AC 8060-55, the FAA updates your address in their internal system—but your physical certificate stays the same. It will still show your old address unless you request a replacement.
If you want your FAA certificate card to reflect the new address, you must also complete Form AC 8060-56, titled Application for Replacement of Lost or Destroyed Airman Certificate. Even though the title sounds unrelated, this is the official method for requesting a certificate with your updated information.
You can find it here:
FAA AC 8060-56 Form PDF
Once submitted, the FAA will issue a new certificate card with your current address printed on it. This is optional—but highly recommended for pilots who want all documents to match, especially when applying for jobs or undergoing checkrides.
Conclusion: Don’t Let an Address Oversight Ground You
In aviation, details matter—and your address is one of them.
FAA Form AC 8060-55 may seem like a minor administrative form, but it plays a major role in protecting your legal right to fly. From medical renewals to enforcement notices, everything the FAA needs to communicate with you depends on the address they have on file.
Whether you’ve moved across the country or just switched mail providers, take a few minutes to fill and submit the form within 30 days. It’s free, it’s fast, and it could save you from certificate restrictions, fines, or even grounding.
Stay compliant. Stay reachable. And stay in the air.
FAQs: FAA Form AC 8060-55
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is FAA Form AC 8060-55 mandatory for all pilots? | Yes. All FAA certificate holders must file it within 30 days of any permanent address change. |
| Can I use a PO box as my address on the form? | Not by itself. You must include a valid U.S. street address or detailed directions to your residence. |
| What happens if I don’t update my address? | You may lose certificate privileges, miss critical FAA mail, or face enforcement—even if the notice never reaches you. |
| Can I update my address online? | Yes. Use the FAA Airmen Certification Portal for the fastest and most secure update process. |
| Will I receive a new certificate with the updated address? | No. To get a new certificate card showing the updated address, you must submit FAA Form AC 8060-56. |
| Do international pilots need to file this form? | Yes. FAA requires a U.S. mailing address on file—even for pilots living abroad. A forwarding service with a street address is acceptable. |
