What aircraft registration numbers tell you and where to search them

An aircraft registration number — called an N-number in the United States — is a unique identifier assigned to every aircraft, similar to a vehicle license plate. It appears on the fuselage and tail and is the primary way to look up ownership, airworthiness status, and operational history. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a public database where you can search any aircraft by its N-number and retrieve information about the owner, the aircraft type, and whether it is currently registered and airworthy.

Unlike vehicle registration searches, which vary by state, aircraft registration is entirely federal. The FAA's Aircraft Registry database is free and accessible online to anyone. You do not need special permission or a reason to search — the information is public record. This matters if you are buying an aircraft, investigating an accident, verifying ownership before a transaction, or straightforward curious about a plane you saw.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA Aircraft Registry at registry.faa.gov is the official source for all U.S. aircraft registration data and is free to search by N-number.
  • An N-number is the aircraft's unique identifier and appears on the fuselage; it always begins with the letter N followed by up to five characters (numbers and letters).
  • A registry search returns the owner's name and address, aircraft make and model, year manufactured, engine type, and current registration status.
  • If you cannot find an aircraft in the FAA database, it may be registered under a trust, corporation, or LLC, which requires searching by owner name instead of N-number.
  • Historical registration data and accident records are maintained separately; the registry shows current status only.

How to search the FAA Aircraft Registry by N-number

Go to registry.faa.gov and select "Aircraft Registration Inquiry" from the homepage. Enter the N-number in the search field exactly as it appears on the aircraft — for example, N12345 or N1AB. The search is not case-sensitive, and you do not need to include leading zeros. Click Search, and the database will return the aircraft record if it exists.

The results page displays the owner's name and mailing address, the aircraft manufacturer and model, the year it was built, the number and type of engines, the airworthiness certificate status, and the expiration date of the registration. This information is current as of the FAA's last update, which typically occurs within days of any change. If the aircraft is not in the database, either the N-number was entered incorrectly, the aircraft is not registered in the United States, or the registration has been canceled.

What information you will and will not find in a registration search

The FAA registry shows you who owns the aircraft and whether it is legally registered and airworthy. You will see the owner entity (a person's name, a corporation, a trust, or an LLC), the aircraft's specifications, and its current certification status. You will not see maintenance records, accident history, loan information, or lien holders — those records are held separately or are not public.

If you need accident or incident information, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) maintains a separate database at data.ntsb.gov. If you need maintenance records or want to verify that an aircraft has been properly maintained before purchase, you must request those directly from the owner or operator, or hire a pre-purchase inspection. The registration database alone does not tell you whether an aircraft has been in an accident or how well it has been maintained.

Searching by owner name when the N-number is unknown

If you know who owns an aircraft but not its N-number, you can search the FAA registry by owner name. On the same registry.faa.gov page, select "Owner Search" instead of Aircraft Registration Inquiry. Enter the owner's last name (or the business name if it is a corporation or LLC) and the state where the owner is registered. The search will return all aircraft registered to that owner.

This search is useful if you are trying to find all aircraft owned by a particular person or company, or if you have an owner's name but no N-number. Note that the search returns results based on the current owner record; if an aircraft was sold, the old owner will no longer appear in the results for that aircraft.

Understanding registration status and what it means for airworthiness

The FAA registry shows whether an aircraft's registration is current, expired, or canceled. A current registration means the aircraft is legally registered and the owner has paid the registration fee (which is valid for three years). An expired registration means the three-year period has ended and the owner has not renewed it; the aircraft cannot legally fly until the registration is renewed. A canceled registration means the owner has formally deregistered the aircraft, usually because it was sold, destroyed, or taken out of service.

Registration status is separate from airworthiness certification. An aircraft can be registered but not airworthy if it has not passed its required inspections or if maintenance is overdue. The registry shows the airworthiness certificate type (Standard, Special, or Experimental) and its expiration date. If you are considering buying an aircraft, verify that both the registration and the airworthiness certificate are current before proceeding.

Why some aircraft do not appear in a straightforward N-number search

If you search for an N-number and get no results, the aircraft may be registered under a trust, corporation, or limited liability company rather than an individual's name. Many aircraft owners use these entities for liability and tax reasons. The aircraft still has an N-number and is still in the FAA database, but the owner field will show the entity name, not a person's name. To find it, search by the entity name instead.

Another reason an aircraft might not appear is if the registration was recently canceled or if the N-number was entered incorrectly. Double-check the N-number against the aircraft itself or against any documentation you have. If you still cannot find it, contact the FAA directly at 1-866-TELL-FAA or visit faa.gov to request information. The FAA can confirm whether an N-number was ever issued and provide historical registration data if needed.

Using aircraft registration information in a purchase or transaction

Before buying an aircraft, always search the FAA registry to confirm the seller's ownership and the aircraft's registration and airworthiness status. Print or save the registry results as part of your documentation. Verify that the N-number on the aircraft matches the N-number in the registry, and that the owner name matches the seller's identification.

If the aircraft is financed, the lender's name will not appear in the FAA registry. You must search the FAA's Lien and Encumbrance database separately at registry.faa.gov to see if there are outstanding loans or claims against the aircraft. This is critical before purchase because you could inherit the debt if you buy an aircraft with an active lien. Request a lien search from the seller or have your attorney conduct one as part of the purchase process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for an aircraft if I only know the airline or operator name?

No, the FAA registry is indexed by N-number or owner name only. If you want to find aircraft operated by a specific airline, you would need to know the airline's registered owner entity name and search by that. Many commercial airlines own their aircraft through subsidiary corporations, so the registry owner name may not match the airline's public name.

Does the FAA registry show who is currently flying an aircraft?

No. The registry shows who owns the aircraft, not who is operating it on any given day. An aircraft can be leased to another operator, and the registry will still show the legal owner. To find out who is operating an aircraft, you would need to contact the owner or check flight tracking services, which are separate from the FAA registry.

How often is the FAA Aircraft Registry updated?

The FAA updates the registry continuously as new registrations, renewals, and cancellations are processed. Most changes appear in the database within a few days. If you search for a recently registered aircraft and do not find it, wait a few days and search again.

What should I do if I find incorrect information in the registry?

Contact the FAA Aircraft Registry directly at 1-866-TELL-FAA or submit a correction request through faa.gov. Provide your N-number and explain what information is incorrect. The FAA will investigate and update the record if the error is confirmed.

Can I search the registry to learn about an aircraft was in an accident?

No, the FAA registry does not include accident history. For accident and incident information, search the National Transportation Safety Board database at data.ntsb.gov. You can search by N-number, aircraft type, or location to find records of reported accidents and incidents.