What an aircraft registration search shows you

An aircraft registration search returns ownership and basic technical details about a plane registered in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains this public database, and you can search it free online without creating an account. A search result tells you the registered owner's name and address, the aircraft's make and model, its tail number, and when the registration was issued or last renewed.

The FAA database does not show maintenance history, accident records, or loan information — those live in separate systems. If you are buying a used aircraft, inspecting it, or verifying ownership before a transaction, a registration search is your starting point, but you will need additional searches to get a complete picture of the plane's condition and history.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA's free online aircraft registration search at registry.faa.gov returns the registered owner, aircraft type, tail number, and registration dates.
  • You can search by tail number (the quickest method), owner name, or manufacturer serial number, depending on what information you have.
  • Registration records are public, but they show only ownership and basic specs — not maintenance, accidents, or financial liens.
  • For a complete pre-purchase check, combine a registration search with an FAA accident history search and a maintenance records request from the seller.

How to search the FAA aircraft registry online

Go to registry.faa.gov and select "Aircraft Registration Inquiry" from the menu. You will see three search options: by tail number, by owner name, or by manufacturer serial number. Tail number is the fastest route if you know it — it looks like "N" followed by numbers and letters (for example, N12345). Enter it exactly as written, with no spaces or dashes.

If you have the owner's name instead, enter the last name first, then the first name. The search accepts partial names, so if you are unsure of the spelling, try the first few letters. A manufacturer serial number search works if you have the plane's construction number but not its tail number — this is less common for buyers but useful if you are researching a specific aircraft model or vintage.

The search returns results in seconds. Click on the tail number in the results to open the full registration record, which shows the owner's mailing address, the aircraft's make, model, year built, and the registration expiration date. Print or save this page if you need it for a transaction or inspection.

What information appears in a registration record

A registration record includes the registered owner (individual, partnership, or corporation), their mailing address, the aircraft's type certificate (the FAA's classification of the model), the manufacturer serial number, the year the aircraft was manufactured, and the registration expiration date. Some records also show whether the aircraft is registered under a special flight authorization or restricted category, which indicates it may have limitations on where and how it can fly.

The record does not include the purchase price, loan details, or lien holders — those are private matters between the buyer, seller, and their lenders. It also does not show maintenance records, inspection dates, or accident history. If the plane has been in an accident, that information is filed separately with the FAA's Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, not in the registration database.

Why you need more than just a registration search

Registration records confirm who owns the plane and what it is, but they do not tell you whether it is airworthy or safe to fly. Before buying a used aircraft, you should also search the FAA Accident and Incident Database at aviation-safety.faa.gov, which lists every reported accident, incident, and emergency landing involving that tail number. This database is searchable by tail number and covers incidents dating back decades.

You should also request the aircraft's maintenance logs and airworthiness certificate directly from the seller. These documents show when the plane was last inspected, what repairs have been made, and whether it is currently legal to fly. The seller is required to provide these before you complete a purchase. If the seller cannot produce them or refuses to, that is a red flag — do not proceed without independent verification from an aircraft mechanic or inspector.

Searching for aircraft you do not own

You can search the FAA registry for any aircraft, whether you own it or not. The database is public, and there are no restrictions on who can look up a tail number. This is useful if you are researching a plane you saw at an airport, checking the owner of an aircraft involved in an incident, or verifying that a plane you are interested in renting or chartering is properly registered.

Keep in mind that the registration record shows only the current registered owner — if the plane has changed hands recently, the database may not have been updated yet. Aircraft registration transfers can take several weeks to process through the FAA, so if you are buying a plane, confirm the registration change with the FAA directly rather than assuming the database is current.

What to do if you cannot find an aircraft in the registry

If a search returns no results, the aircraft may not be registered with the FAA, or the tail number may be spelled differently than you think. Double-check the tail number — it should always start with "N" for U.S. aircraft. If you are looking at a foreign plane, it will have a different prefix (for example, "C" for Canada, "G" for the United Kingdom), and those are not in the FAA database.

If you are certain the tail number is correct and the plane should be registered in the U.S., contact the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch by phone at 405-954-3116 or by mail at 6500 South MacArthur Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73169. They can tell you whether the registration is pending, expired, or if there is a problem with the record. If you are buying the plane, your broker or attorney can also request this information on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out who owns a specific aircraft?

Yes. Search the FAA registry by tail number at registry.faa.gov, and the registered owner's name and mailing address will appear in the results. This information is public record. However, the owner may be a corporation or trust, so the name alone may not tell you who actually controls the plane.

Does the registration search show if an aircraft has been in an accident?

No. The registration database shows only ownership and basic specs. Accident and incident history is in a separate FAA database at aviation-safety.faa.gov. You must search both systems to get a complete picture of an aircraft's history before buying or renting it.

How often is the FAA aircraft registry updated?

The registry is updated continuously as registrations are issued, renewed, and transferred. However, there can be a lag of several weeks between when a transfer is submitted and when it appears in the database. If you are buying a plane, do not assume the registry is current — contact the FAA directly to confirm the registration change has been processed.

What if the aircraft I am looking for is registered outside the United States?

The FAA registry covers only U.S.-registered aircraft, which have tail numbers starting with "N". Foreign aircraft are registered with their own countries' aviation authorities. You would need to contact that country's civil aviation agency to search their registry — for example, Transport Canada for Canadian aircraft or the UK Civil Aviation Authority for British planes.

Can I search the registry by owner name to find all planes someone owns?

Yes. The FAA registry search allows you to enter an owner's last name and first name, and it will return all aircraft registered to that person or entity. This is useful if you are researching a flight school, charter company, or individual pilot to see how many planes they operate.