What is Drone registration (FAA)?
Drones weighing more than 250 grams must be registered with the FAA before outdoor flight. Registration costs $5, lasts 3 years, and applies to both recreational and commercial pilots.
Drone registration is required under 14 CFR Part 48. The threshold is 0.55 lbs (approximately 250 g) takeoff weight. Below that, recreational pilots are exempt; commercial Part 107 pilots must register regardless of weight.
Recreational registration (Section 44809) covers all drones owned by the registrant under one $5 fee — a single registration number applied to every aircraft. Commercial Part 107 registration ($5 per aircraft) requires unique aircraft registration for each drone.
After registering at faadronezone.faa.gov, you receive a registration number that must be applied to the exterior of the aircraft (for some models, this is a sticker; for others, it's burned into the firmware ID).
Registration lasts 3 years and can be renewed online. Failure to register before flight can result in civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties up to $250,000 plus 3 years imprisonment under 49 USC § 46306.
What this means for pilots
Register before your first outdoor flight. The fee is trivial; the penalty for non-registration is not. If you fly multiple drones recreationally, the single $5 covers all of them. Commercial pilots register each aircraft separately.
FAQ
Do I need to register a sub-250g drone?
Recreational use: no. Commercial Part 107 use of any drone requires registration regardless of weight.
Do I have to put my registration number on the drone?
Yes. The number must be marked on an external surface (sticker or printed). Some drones embed it in the firmware ID; check the manufacturer's instructions.
How long does registration last?
3 years. Online renewal is straightforward.
Related terms
FAA regulations change. Verify current rules at faa.gov/uas before relying on this article for flight planning. Altoa is not the FAA.