Pilots are required by federal law to maintain a current, certified U.S. mailing address with the FAA. If you use a third-party mail service and decide to change it, the process isn’t as simple as updating your contact info. To switch FAA mail forwarding providers correctly, you must follow FAA procedures precisely—or risk temporary non-compliance, missed legal notices, and potential certificate suspension.
In 2025, FAA systems are more interconnected than ever. A mismatched or outdated address in the Airmen Certification Registry could mean you never receive time-sensitive certified mail—like a medical review notice, enforcement letter, or exam retest order. That’s why switching providers requires more than convenience; it demands legal care.
This guide walks you through the correct way to switch FAA mail forwarding providers, step by step—so your records stay accurate, your certificate remains valid, and your mail never goes missing.
Why Pilots Need to Switch FAA Mail Forwarding Providers
There are many legitimate reasons why pilots may need to switch FAA mail forwarding providers. Some providers stop offering FAA-compliant services. Others might delay your certified mail or fail to notify you in time, which can lead to serious legal trouble. Pilots based abroad often upgrade to services that include U.S. Agent for Service support—something basic mailboxes or PO boxes can’t provide.
Flight school graduates may also need to switch FAA mail forwarding providers after completing their training, as most schools only offer short-term solutions. Additionally, commercial pilots switching employers or becoming independent often require more reliable, long-term mail handling that includes documentation and compliance tracking.
No matter the reason, the goal is the same: protect your certificate and ensure that all FAA correspondence reaches you without delay or legal risk.
What Can Go Wrong If You Don’t Switch Properly
If you try to switch FAA mail forwarding providers without following the FAA’s address change protocols, you could become non-compliant without even realizing it. The FAA relies on your mailing address to deliver certified legal documents—some with hard deadlines. If they bounce, go to the wrong location, or aren’t signed for, it’s the pilot—not the provider—who bears the legal consequences.
One common mistake is canceling your old service before your new address is fully processed and confirmed in the FAA system. Another is failing to submit FAA Form 8060-55, which officially notifies the Airmen Certification Branch of your address change. Without this form, even if your mail is being forwarded, your FAA record remains outdated and invalid.
Trying to switch FAA mail forwarding providers without verifying that the new provider meets FAA requirements—like certified mail reception and physical street address—can result in audit flags or mail rejection. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to certificate suspension, medical delays, or missed enforcement notices.
Step 1: Choose an FAA-Compliant New Provider
Before you switch FAA mail forwarding providers, the most important step is selecting a provider like Dba FAA Mailforwarding that fully meets FAA compliance standards. Not all mail services are equal. Some only offer virtual inboxes or private mailboxes that don’t meet the FAA’s requirement for a real, physical U.S. street address. Others might not handle certified mail, which is critical for receiving time-sensitive FAA notices.
Your new provider must:
- Offer a physical U.S. street address, not just a PO box
- Accept and log certified mail and legal correspondence
- Provide prompt scan alerts and email forwarding
- Be familiar with FAA requirements and able to help you complete FAA Form 8060-55 correctly
If you’re an international pilot, confirm the provider can also serve as your U.S. Agent for Service, as this is mandatory to remain in compliance while abroad. Taking the time to choose wisely ensures that when you switch FAA mail forwarding providers, your legal status remains secure, and your certificate stays protected.
Step 2: Set Up Your New Service and Collect Documentation
Once you’ve selected your new provider, the next step in the process to switch FAA mail forwarding providers is onboarding properly and collecting all documentation you’ll need for the FAA update. This includes your new address confirmation, certified mail handling policy, and, if applicable, proof of U.S. Agent representation.
Request a written confirmation of:
- The full FAA-compliant mailing address you’ll use
- The provider’s ability to receive and sign for certified mail
- How quickly mail is scanned and forwarded
- U.S. Agent documentation if you live outside the U.S.
This documentation will be needed when you submit FAA Form 8060-55. Make sure everything matches the format the FAA expects. Any mismatch between what you submit and what your provider offers can cause delays or rejection of your update. When you switch FAA mail forwarding providers, every detail must be aligned to avoid being flagged in the Airmen Certification Registry.
Step 3: File FAA Form 8060-55 to Officially Update Your Address
Once you’ve chosen your new provider and collected documentation, the most critical step when you switch FAA mail forwarding providers is updating your official FAA record. This is done using FAA Form 8060-55, the Change of Address Notification form required by the Airmen Certification Branch.
Here’s how to complete the process:
- Fill out FAA Form 8060-55 with your full name, certificate number, date and place of birth, and the new address provided by your forwarding service
- If you live in a rural or international location, include a brief map or delivery instructions as requested by the FAA
- Submit the form via mail or digitally through the FAA Airmen Certification Portal
- Keep a copy of the completed form and any email confirmation or postal receipt
Failing to submit this form is the most common reason pilots fall out of compliance after they switch FAA mail forwarding providers. Even if your mail is being delivered to the new address, your legal FAA record remains outdated until this form is received and processed.
Step 4: Overlap the Transition and Cancel the Old Service Last
To avoid mail loss or legal disruption, always overlap your old and new mail forwarding services for at least 2–3 weeks. One of the biggest mistakes pilots make when they switch FAA mail forwarding providers is canceling the old provider before the new one is confirmed in the FAA database.
Here’s how to avoid that:
- Keep both providers active until the new address appears in the Airmen Certification Portal
- Monitor both accounts daily for certified mail or FAA notices
- Request a final forwarding confirmation from your old provider before cancellation
- Once confirmed, cancel the old service and archive any records or logs they provide
This overlapping window ensures that no certified FAA mail is missed during the switch. It also gives the FAA enough time to process your Form 8060-55 and reflect the change. If you cancel too early, you risk a break in legal deliverability—and that can result in missed deadlines, warnings, or worse.
When done right, this step completes your plan to switch FAA mail forwarding providers without stress, delays, or non-compliance.
Final Checklist: How to Switch FAA Mail Forwarding Providers Without Risk
If you’re preparing to switch FAA mail forwarding providers, you can’t afford to overlook the legal and procedural steps. The FAA treats your mailing address as your official line of communication—especially for certified mail, audit notices, and compliance alerts. Here’s a precise, pilot-focused checklist to guide your switch from start to finish:
- Confirm your reason for switching (e.g., poor service, relocation, upgrade to U.S. Agent support)
- Choose a new provider that offers a physical U.S. street address, not a PO box
- Verify certified mail acceptance and scanning speed — essential for FAA compliance
- Request all documentation from your new provider (address letter, U.S. Agent declaration if needed)
- Submit FAA Form 8060-55 to officially update your address with the Airmen Certification Branch
- Keep both services active during the transition — allow 2–3 weeks of overlap to avoid missed mail
- Check your new address in the FAA Airmen Portal to confirm it’s updated and accurate
- Cancel the old provider only after verification of full mail rerouting and address registry match
By following this checklist, you’ll confidently switch FAA mail forwarding providers without risking delays, disqualification, or unreceived certified letters.
Conclusion: Switch FAA Mail Forwarding Providers the Right Way
When you switch FAA mail forwarding providers, you’re not just changing addresses—you’re updating a federal record that determines how and when you receive time-sensitive FAA documents. That’s why every step matters.
From choosing a compliant provider and gathering legal documentation to submitting FAA Form 8060-55 and managing a transition period, this guide has outlined every action you need to stay protected. Compliance isn’t optional—especially when your pilot certificate depends on timely delivery and accurate FAA records.
Make your provider switch the smart way. Stay in control of your aviation status, avoid FAA warnings, and ensure your mailbox is never a liability.
FAQ: Switching FAA Mail Forwarding Providers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I switch FAA mail forwarding providers at any time? | Yes. You can switch at any time, but to remain compliant, make sure you notify the FAA using Form 8060-55 and confirm your new provider meets FAA requirements. |
| What happens if I switch providers but don’t update my address with the FAA? | Your FAA record becomes invalid. Even if your mail is delivered, the FAA considers your certificate non-compliant until Form 8060-55 is filed and processed. |
| Do I need to overlap services when I switch FAA mail forwarding providers? | Absolutely. Maintain both services for at least 2–3 weeks to ensure no FAA-certified mail is missed during the switch. |
| Does the FAA accept PO boxes from forwarding providers? | No. The FAA requires a real, physical U.S. street address capable of receiving certified mail. A PO box alone is not compliant. |
| Is a U.S. Agent required if I live abroad? | Yes. Pilots living outside the U.S. must appoint a U.S. Agent for Service when they switch FAA mail forwarding providers. This ensures compliance with FAA regulations for international airmen. |
