Every drone over 0.55 pounds (250 grams) must be registered with the FAA before you fly it. Registration costs $5 and takes about 10 minutes. Here is how to do it step by step.
Who needs to register?
If your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250 grams), you must register it. This applies to both recreational and commercial pilots. Most popular drones like the DJI Mini series (249g) are right at the line. Check your drone's weight before you fly.
Step-by-step registration
- 1Go to FAA DroneZone. Open faadronezone.faa.gov in your browser. Create an account if you do not have one.
- 2Pick your type. Choose "Part 107" if you fly for work, or "Recreational" if you fly for fun. Each type has its own registration.
- 3Enter your drone info. Add the make, model, and serial number of your drone. You need a separate registration for each drone.
- 4Pay $5. Each registration costs $5 and lasts 3 years. You pay per drone.
- 5Mark your drone. Put your registration number on or inside the drone. The FAA requires it to be visible or accessible. Most pilots use a small label.
Registration vs Part 107 certificate
These are two different things. Your Part 107 certificate is for you, the pilot. It says you passed the knowledge test. Registration is for the drone itself. It gives the drone an FAA number. If you fly for work, you need both a certificate and a registration for each drone.
Track registrations with DroneLog107
Drone registrations expire every 3 years. DroneLog107 tracks all of your registrations alongside your Part 107 certificate. It sends push reminders before anything expires. Add your drones and never miss a renewal. Free for one certificate.