Spring cleaning
Pilot and owner address and registration requirements
First, did you know, if you are the holder of a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate and have moved in the past 30 days without updating your address with the FAA, you are not allowed to exercise the privileges of your certificate? This is the language of FAR 61.60. If you have moved and didn’t know about this rule, update your address as soon as possible and consider filing a report through the Aviation Safety Reporting System. To update your address, you can log into the Airmen Certification online services webpage. Here, you will have the option to change your mailing address along with several other options. If you prefer the paper method, you can mail AC Form 8060-55 “Change of Address Notification” to the FAA. And don’t forget to sign it. If you are unsure if the FAA has your correct address, you can search for your information online on the FAA’s Airman inquiry page. But note, your address will not appear if you have opted out of sharing your address information.
Second, if you are the owner of a civil aircraft, to legally operate your aircraft in the United States, FAR 91.203(a)(2) requires that a valid U.S. registration certificate be on board. FAR 47.40 requires you to renew this registration every seven years. This can be done online or in writing by submitting AC Form 8050-1B along with the appropriate fee prescribed in FAR 47.17. As an aircraft owner, FAR 47.45 requires you to update the address of the aircraft by contacting the Aircraft Registration Branch or by using the FAA’s Aircraft Owner Change of Address Notification Form.
Finally, the FAA implemented a new rule in FAR Part 3 Subpart C. This rule applies to FAA certificate holders or applicants who have an address outside of the United States and no physical U.S. address on record with the FAA. The rule requires individual certificate holders or applicants with a foreign address to have a designated U.S. agent with a physical U.S. address (not a P.O. Box) on file with the FAA. While the final rule was published on October 8, 2024, applicants for certificates must comply by April 2, 2025, while current certificate holders have until July 7, 2025, to comply.
For a detailed explanation, see Advisory Circular AC 3-1. Considering this new rule, stay tuned, because AOPA has an exciting update coming soon. 
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