Frequently Asked Questions About FAA U.S. Agent for Service

A U.S. Agent for Service is a person or entity with a U.S. physical address designated to receive FAA legal documents on your behalf. If you hold certain FAA certificates and your address is outside the United States, you must designate an agent through the FAA's USAS system.

Any individual with a non-U.S. address who holds or applies for FAA certificates under Parts 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107. This includes pilots (all levels), mechanics, flight engineers, drone operators, and individual aircraft registrants.

Pilot certificates (Part 61), flight engineer certificates (Part 63), mechanic and repairman certificates (Part 65), medical certificates (Part 67), remote pilot certificates (Part 107), and individual aircraft registrations (Part 47).

The requirement is established under 14 CFR Part 3, Subpart C, with the final rule published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2024. The FAA also published Advisory Circular AC 3-1 with compliance guidance.

USAS (U.S. Agents for Service) is the FAA's online portal where certificate holders enter their agent's information to complete the designation. It is accessible through the FAA's website.

The rule took effect October 8, 2024, for new certificate applicants. Existing certificate holders had until July 7, 2025 to comply.

The FAA has begun enforcement actions related to this requirement. While specific consequences vary by case, the potential outcomes include suspension or revocation of certificates. We recommend complying as soon as possible if you haven't already. The cost ($49–$99/year) is negligible compared to the risk.

Yes. Any individual or entity with a valid U.S. physical address can serve as your agent. However, professional providers offer reliability advantages including systematic document processing, notifications, and ongoing availability.

No. The FAA requires a physical U.S. address. P.O. Boxes do not qualify.

Yes. The requirement is based on your address of record, not your citizenship. If your FAA address is outside the U.S., you need an agent regardless of nationality.

Annual prices range from $49 to approximately $240. Most providers charge between $55 and $99 per year. Our top-rated provider, Valiair, charges $75/year.

All providers offer the same core service: a U.S. address and mail forwarding. Differences emerge in technology (basic email vs. custom dashboards), support quality, language options, legal expertise, team management capabilities, and professional credentials.

Look for published pricing, verifiable business information, professional memberships (BBB, NBAA, EBAA), clear service descriptions, and aviation-specific expertise. Be cautious of providers with no transparent pricing, minimal website content, or unverifiable claims.

Yes. You can change your agent at any time by updating your information in the FAA USAS system. There's no lock-in period.

Reliable document processing with specified turnaround times, a real technology platform (not just email forwarding), transparent pricing, responsive support, and professional aviation credentials.

Log in to the FAA's USAS system at the FAA website. Add your agent's information including their name, U.S. address, and contact details. Your provider will supply the specific information to enter once you sign up.

You'll need the agent's legal name, U.S. physical address (not a P.O. Box), phone number, and email address. Your provider will supply this information when you sign up.

Yes — you can update your agent designation at any time through the USAS system. The switch takes effect immediately once updated.

When the FAA sends correspondence to your agent's U.S. address, the agent opens it, scans it, and makes a digital copy available to you — typically through an online portal, email, or both. You're notified when documents arrive. Some providers also offer physical mail forwarding for an additional shipping fee.

Processing times vary by provider. Top providers like Valiair process documents within one business day. Others may take longer. Check the specific provider's stated processing time before signing up.

Any official FAA correspondence sent to your address of record — including enforcement notices, certificate actions, compliance orders, airworthiness directives, and other legal documents.

Yes. Your agent receives and forwards documents. You are responsible for reading, understanding, and responding to all FAA correspondence within any required timeframes. The agent is a mail handling service, not a legal representative.

The FAA designation itself doesn't have an annual renewal — it stays active until you change it. However, your agent service subscription typically renews annually. Keep your subscription active to ensure your agent continues monitoring their address for your mail.