Registrations expire
Most US aircraft registrations are valid for seven years. The expiration date is printed on the registration certificate and appears in the FAA's public record.
Renewal notices
The FAA mails renewal notices to the address on file ahead of expiration. That's one reason it matters to keep the registry address current: a notice sent to an old address is easy to miss.
When a registration expires
An aircraft with an expired registration can't legally be flown. After expiration, the FAA moves the record through pending-cancellation status codes and can cancel the N-number.
Changes of ownership
A sale ends the seller's registration. The buyer applies for a new registration, and the record shows a new certificate date.
Watching expirations
Aeonis Tail lists registrations that expire within the next 120 days, so owners, insurers, lenders and service providers can act early. Always check the official FAA guidance for current rules.
Look up any US aircraft
Free N-number lookup and the last 30 days of FAA registry changes.