Did you know that the FAA will provide you with copies of registration and airworthiness records for any aircraft registered in the United States. An aircraft’s registration history will include such documents as applications for aircraft registration, evidence of ownership, security agreements, mechanics liens, lien releases, leases, lease terminations, and N Number Changes. The Airworthiness portion of an aircraft’s file will contain such documents as applications for airworthiness, copies of airworthiness certificates, major repair and alteration reports, and related items.
You can request these records in either paper format or on CD-Rom directly from the Aircraft Registration Branch by letter, by fax to 405-954-3548, or online, although the last time I checked the online site was not available. The mailing address is FAA, Aircraft Registration Branch, AFS-750, PO Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.
The fees for paper format include a $2.00 Search Fee, charged for each aircraft record requested, $0.25 for photocopy of first page of records on paper, and $0.05 for each successive paper page. An average paper record has 76 pages. Additionally, a $2.00 is charged if the record must be recalled from Federal Storage and if you need the record certified, a $3.00 fee is added.
If a CD-Rom is requested, you will receive one aircraft file per CD. The fee for CD format is $5.00 per CD ROM and, as with paper, if you need the record certified, a $3.00 fee is added. Whether paper or CD, you will receive a billing letter with the records. If you need further information, you can check out the FAA Registry website.
