14 CFR · Part 48

14 CFR § 48.20

Eligibility for registration.

This reproduces published FAA reference text for study. It does not replace the current official FAA publication or regulation.

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—

(a)

Owned by a U.S. citizen;

(b)

Owned by an individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;

(c)

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

(d)

An aircraft of—

(1)

The United States Government; or

(2)

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.