If you’re a pilot, keeping your FAA records up to date isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement. But one question keeps popping up for both U.S. and international certificate holders:
Can you use a PO box for FAA mail?
On the surface, it seems convenient. A PO box offers privacy, stability, and reliable mail collection. But when it comes to the FAA, convenience doesn’t always align with compliance.
The FAA has strict rules about what qualifies as an acceptable mailing address, and using a PO box for FAA mail—especially as your only listed address—could lead to serious issues. We’re talking about missed medical renewals, certificate suspension, and even legal notices that count as “delivered” even if they bounce back.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what the FAA requires, when a PO box is acceptable (and when it’s not), and what address options will actually keep you in compliance.
Let’s break down the facts—because this one small detail could determine whether you stay legally cleared to fly.
What Is an FAA-Compliant Mailing Address?
The FAA defines a mailing address as the location where you can legally receive all official FAA correspondence. This includes medical certification notices, enforcement actions, and regulatory updates.
Under 14 CFR § 61.60, pilots and certificate holders must report any change of permanent address to the FAA within 30 days. But not just any address qualifies.
To comply with FAA regulations, your mailing address must be:
- A U.S.-based street address (deliverable by USPS)
- Accessible for certified or legal mail
- Listed in FAA records through Form AC 8060-55 or via the online portal
This means the FAA must be able to reach you physically, not just through a rented mailbox or digital forwarding service that lacks a verifiable street location.
Failing to provide a valid, reachable address doesn’t just delay mail—it can jeopardize your legal status as a pilot.
Can You Use a PO Box for FAA Mail?
Here’s the straight answer: you can’t use a PO box for FAA mail unless it’s paired with a valid physical street address or clear directions to your residence.
The FAA doesn’t ban PO boxes outright. However, they require that any PO box be supplemented by a physical location—a place where someone can receive actual mail from the FAA, including time-sensitive legal or enforcement documents.
This policy is rooted in enforcement practicality. If you provide only a PO box and the FAA sends a certified letter that’s returned undelivered, you’re still considered “notified.” That’s a legal problem you don’t want.
Acceptable address formats include:
- A residential street address
- A commercial mail forwarding service with a valid street address (not just a box number)
- A rural location with added map directions
- A PO box plus the physical address of your residence or hangar
Using only a PO box for FAA mail is a shortcut that could lead to delayed communication, certificate suspension, or missing out on critical compliance deadlines.
FAA’s Interpretation of the Rules
The FAA may not spell it out in bold print, but their interpretation is clear: a PO box for FAA mail is not sufficient unless it’s linked to a valid, physical delivery location.
Here’s why:
The FAA needs to send critical documents—like enforcement letters, medical notices, and certification updates—via certified mail. Certified mail can’t be reliably delivered to a standalone PO box, and if it’s returned undelivered, the FAA still considers it legally served.
This means:
- If your mail bounces, the FAA isn’t required to follow up.
- You may face enforcement actions without even seeing the notice.
- Your certificate could be suspended for non-response—completely by surprise.
Several pilots have learned this the hard way. In past enforcement cases, the FAA proceeded with certificate actions based solely on returned mail to an outdated or incomplete address.
To avoid this, the FAA expects pilots to maintain a physical, mailable address that ensures they can be reached—not just a PO box.
Alternatives to Using a PO Box for FAA Mail
If you want convenience without risking non-compliance, there are better options than using just a PO box for FAA mail.
Here are a few FAA-approved alternatives:
1. Mail Forwarding Services with Street Addresses
Many professional services (like Dba FAA Mailforwarding) provide a real U.S. street address, not just a box number. These addresses are FAA-compliant and allow for:
- Certified mail acceptance
- Scanning and forwarding
- Global access to FAA documents
This is ideal for international pilots or traveling CFIs who need stability but don’t have a permanent residence.
2. General Delivery at a Local Post Office
If you live in a rural area or move frequently, you can use General Delivery, a service where USPS holds your mail at a post office. But you must still notify the FAA and provide directions to your residence if no street address exists.
3. Use a Hangar, Employer, or Shared Residence Address
Some pilots use a business, airport office, or co-owned home address as their FAA mailing location. This is fine as long as mail can be securely delivered there—and you’re reachable.
The key is this: the FAA doesn’t care who owns the address. They just need to be able to reach you there.
So while a PO box for FAA mail isn’t sufficient on its own, there are plenty of compliant options that still give you flexibility.
How to Update Your FAA Mailing Address Properly
If you’ve recently moved, changed forwarding providers, or switched from a PO box for FAA mail to a compliant street address, it’s your responsibility to update the FAA—within 30 days.
Here’s how to do it right:
Step 1: Complete FAA Form AC 8060-55
This is the FAA’s official Change of Address Notification form. It collects your full name, certificate number, date of birth, and new mailing address. It also includes space for directions if you don’t have a standard street address.
Step 2: Submit the Form
You have two options:
- Mail it to FAA AFS-760, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125
- Submit online via the FAA’s Airmen Certification Portal: https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/
The online method is faster and gives you instant confirmation.
Tip: Avoid submitting only a PO box for FAA mail—add a physical street address to ensure approval and compliance.
What Happens If the FAA Can’t Deliver Your Mail?
Here’s where things get serious.
If the FAA can’t reach you at your listed address—because it’s a PO box with no physical backup—they’re still allowed to treat the mail as legally delivered.
Yes, even if the letter is returned, the law considers it served.
This can result in:
- Missed medical renewal notices
- Delayed or denied certificate applications
- Unanswered enforcement actions that move forward without you
- Suspension or revocation of your pilot privileges
In some cases, pilots have been grounded not because they broke a rule—but because they didn’t receive a warning sent to an outdated or incomplete address.
Bottom line? If you rely on a PO box for FAA mail without a physical fallback, you’re risking more than convenience—you’re risking your ability to fly.
Conclusion: Don’t Risk It—Use a Compliant Address
Your mailing address may seem like a small administrative detail—but for pilots, it’s a legal lifeline.
Using a PO box for FAA mail without a valid physical address puts you at risk of missing critical documents, violating FAA regulations, and losing your flying privileges—all without warning.
The FAA doesn’t care how you receive mail—as long as it’s a real, reachable location where certified documents can be delivered. That could be your home, a verified mail forwarding service, or even your airport office—just not a standalone PO box.
So update your address. File the right form. And stay reachable. Because in aviation, staying compliant keeps you in the cockpit.
FAQs: PO Box for FAA Mail
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I use a PO box for FAA mail? | No—not by itself. You must include a valid U.S. street address or provide directions to your physical location. |
| Why won’t the FAA accept only a PO box? | Certified mail can’t be delivered to PO boxes. The FAA requires a physical address for legal notices. |
| Are mail forwarding services FAA compliant? | Yes, if they offer a street address and accept certified mail. PO boxes without a street address are not compliant. |
| What form do I use to update my address with the FAA? | Use Form AC 8060-55 and submit it online or by mail. |
| What happens if the FAA mail bounces back? | Legally, you’re still considered “notified.” This can lead to missed deadlines, suspensions, or enforcement actions. |
