14 CFR · Part 48
14 CFR § 48.20
Eligibility for registration.
A small unmanned aircraft may be registered under 49 U.S.C. 44103 and under this part only when the aircraft is not registered under the laws of a foreign country and is—
Owned by a U.S. citizen;
Owned by an individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;
Owned by a corporation not a citizen of the United States when the corporation is organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or a State within the United States, and the aircraft is based and primarily used in the United States; or
An aircraft of—
The United States Government; or
A State, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a political subdivision of a State, territory, or possession.
Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.
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