The FAA’s new address change requirements now affect approximately 115,000 certificate holders with foreign addresses.
The agency spends nearly $600,000 each year to mail notices abroad. This high cost has led to strict new rules about address updates. Certificate holders must update their FAA address within 30 days after moving. On top of that, certificate holders with foreign addresses and no US physical location need a US agent by July 7, 2025. Missing this deadline could result in certificate loss.
Let us walk you through the complete FAA change of address process in this piece. You’ll learn who needs updated information and how to submit your FAA address change online or through the official form. We’ll show you what happens when deadlines are missed. Clear step-by-step instructions will help protect your aviation privileges and keep you compliant.
Who Needs to Update Their FAA Address
Federal regulations require FAA certificate holders to update their mailing address within 30 days after moving. These rules apply to certificate holders of all types, with specific guidelines if you live outside the United States.
Foreign-based certificate holders
The FAA has identified approximately 115,000 individuals who hold certificates, ratings, or authorizations with a foreign address but no U.S. physical address on record. Updated regulations have created new requirements for these certificate holders. Starting July 7, 2025, you’ll need to designate a U.S. agent for service. Your agent will receive critical FAA communications and safety-related documents on your behalf.
Your U.S. agent’s details must include their full name, U.S. address, and email address. You can also add their fax and phone numbers if you wish. You must confirm under penalty of perjury that your agent agrees to take on this role. The FAA needs to know about any changes to your agent’s information within 30 days.
U.S. citizens living abroad
Foreign citizens make up about 97% of people using foreign addresses, but U.S. citizens living overseas must follow these same rules. Note that a P.O. Box alone won’t work as a residence address. You can use both a physical address and a P.O. Box for mail.
U.S. citizens with unconventional addresses like General Delivery, Rural Route, or Star Route need to provide extra directions or a map to locate their residence. Missing these requirements could stop you from using your certificates’ privileges.
New applicants without a U.S. address
People applying for new FAA certificates, ratings, or authorizations under parts 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107 with foreign addresses need a U.S. agent by January 6, 2025. This deadline comes six months before existing certificate holders’ deadline.
Your agent can be a company or any adult over 18 with a U.S. address. You might choose registered agent service companies, friends, family members, or associates. All the same, pick carefully since this person will handle important FAA communications, while you stay legally responsible for responding to these documents.
How to Update Your FAA Address Online or by Mail
The FAA offers two official ways to update your address information. Federal regulations require all certificate holders to update their mailing address within 30 days of any change. You need to follow these options to stay compliant with federal regulations.
Using the FAA address change online system
You can update your FAA address quickly through the online system. Here’s how to update your information electronically:
- Visit the FAA’s Airmen Certification website
- Log in to your account or register if you haven’t already
- Find the address update section
- Complete the required fields with your new information
- Review and submit your changes
Your address change will automatically apply to all certificates the Airmen Certification Branch manages, including your medical certificate.
Submitting FAA address change form by mail
The traditional mail method works well for many certificate holders:
- Get Form AC 8060-55 (Change of Address Notification)
- Complete all required fields
- Sign and date the form
- Mail to the appropriate FAA address
What to include in your request
Your update needs these details whether you choose online or mail:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number or certificate number
- New address information
A Post Office Box alone won’t work as a residence address. You must provide both addresses if you want to use a P.O. Box for mail. Unusual residential addresses (General Delivery, Rural Route, Star Route) need directions or a map to locate your residence.
Where to send your form
Send your completed form or written request to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
The FAA doesn’t send confirmation of receipt or replacement certificates showing your new address automatically. You can verify your address change by calling the Civil Aviation Registry at 1-866-878-2498 or 405-954-3261.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the USAS or CARES System
The FAA’s online portals for address changes might seem daunting at first. The process becomes clear once you know the right steps.
Accessing the correct FAA portal
The FAA’s Civil Aviation Registry website lets most certificate holders update their address online. This service offers an official alternative to mail-in updates. The USAS (United States Agent Service) Portal serves certificate holders under 14 CFR parts 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107 who don’t have a U.S. physical address in FAA records.
To begin the process:
- Visit https://usas.faa.gov if you need to designate a U.S. agent
- Standard address updates can be done at https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/amsrvs/
Entering your personal and certificate details
You’ll need to create an account or log in to the right portal. New users must register with:
- Full name
- Email address
- Physical address
- Mailing address
Airmen need these additional details:
- Date of birth
- Certificate number
- FAA tracking number (FTN)
- Applicant ID number
Aircraft owners should keep their N-Number and serial number handy, as they might need this information during verification.
Providing your updated address
Here are important points to remember when updating your address:
- A Post Office Box can’t be used as your only residence address
- You must list both addresses if you use a P.O. Box for mail
- Add directions or a map for unusual residential locations
The system guides you through entering your new details, including street address, city, state, and zip code.
Verifying and submitting your changes
Before you complete your FAA address change:
- Double-check all information
- Add required electronic signatures
- Submit your updates through the system
You’ll get an email confirmation after submission. Your address update is then officially recorded with the FAA, which meets FAR 61.60’s requirement to notify within 30 days of any address change.
What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Address
Not updating your FAA address can lead to serious consequences that every certificate holder needs to know about. You should understand the risks of keeping outdated contact information with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Suspension or revocation of certificates
Your aviation privileges could end if you neglect your FAA address change requirements. The FAA holds complete authority to suspend or revoke your certificates when you don’t keep your contact information current. Foreign-based certificate holders must designate a U.S. agent by July 7, 2025. The FAA will start proceedings to suspend or revoke your certificates, ratings, or authorizations if you miss this designation.
Missed legal or safety-critical notices
Missing significant communications poses an immediate risk. The FAA sends out:
- Airworthiness directives requiring immediate action
- Medical certificate renewal notices
- Certificate expiration warnings
- Mandatory operational updates
- Investigation notices
These time-sensitive documents won’t reach you without a current address, yet you must comply with their contents legally. Your medical certificate could expire because the renewal notice went to an old address – this invalidates hours of flight time and leads to violations.
Civil penalties and enforcement actions
The FAA can impose civil penalties on airmen who knowingly violate address update requirements, beyond certificate actions. These penalties include:
- Monetary fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars
- Formal letters of investigation that need written responses
- Mandatory remedial training at your expense
- Permanent records in your airman file that future employers can see
These serious repercussions make it essential to prioritize your FAA address change online or through the official FAA address change form right after you move. The effort to update your information isn’t a match for the potential risks of non-compliance.
Conclusion
Conclusion: You Retain Control of Your FAA Compliance
All certificate holders must keep their FAA address information up to date. This piece covered specific requirements that affect both domestic and international aviators. Certificate holders must update their address within 30 days of any change.
Foreign-based certificate holders have more to consider. Of course, the July 7, 2025 deadline to designate a U.S. agent is a key date for your calendar. New applicants without a U.S. address must meet this requirement by January 6, 2025.
The FAA offers a simple process through online and mail options. The online system is the quickest way to update all your certificates that the Airmen Certification Branch manages to keep.
Missing these requirements leads to serious consequences. The FAA can suspend or revoke your certificates and stop you from using your aviation privileges. On top of that, you might miss critical safety notices and face civil penalties.
Quick action now prevents major problems later. Updating your information takes minimal effort compared to what it all means if you don’t comply. Note that you must verify your updated information—a quick call to the Civil Aviation Registry confirms your changes are properly recorded.
Your aviation credentials show your years of training, experience, and dedication. Simple administrative compliance protects these valuable credentials. FAA address changes might look like basic paperwork, but they are the foundations of your continued participation in aviation activities.
