Key Points
- The FAA has published a new rule that will require certificate holders abroad to nominate a physical US address for service.
- This will be required from April 2 for any new applications; and July 7 for anyone who already holds FAA certificates, ratings or authorizations.
- Anyone who ignores the new rule will be unable to exercise the privileges of their documents.
What’s Changing?
115,000 (give or take) FAA certificate holders currently live outside of the US.
Back in Oct 2024, the FAA issued a new rule requiring anyone with no US physical address on file to nominate a US Agent For Service.
This agent will be responsible for receiving all documents from the FAA on the certificate holder’s behalf – including legal and safety-critical stuff.
It’s already been postponed once, but there are now two deadlines for individuals with a foreign address and no physical US one on file:
- April 2 for new applications.
- July 7 for existing certificate holders.
The FAA is having problems serving documents to the large number of FAA certificate holders living abroad.
By using US-based agents, this process will be a lot faster and easier. Especially in the case of larger overseas-based flight departments.
Who will this apply too?
Anyone with a foreign address (and no US address on file) who holds or applies for FAA certificates, ratings or authorizations under the following parts of 14 CFR – 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, 107.
Who can be a ‘US Agent For Service’?
It’s not as complicated as it sounds.
The new rule (CFR 14 3.302) says this can be any entity or adult (18yo+) with a US-based postal address.
One big gotcha though: this must be a physical address – PO boxes and mail drops are no-good.
It’s important you nominate someone you trust. They will be responsible for promptly forwarding you any FAA documents and must fully understand the importance of this task.
You’ll also need to provide the FAA with their full name, phone number and a working email address.
If there isn’t already someone in the US you know and trust, it may be worth engaging a professional service to be your agent instead.
You don’t need to hire Agent Smith. It can be any trustworthy adult or professional service.
What if I just ignore this rule?
Don’t! If a certificate holder fails to designate a US postal address or Agent of Service by the above dates, you will no longer be able to exercise the privileges of that document. You will effectively become unlicensed.
Another big scary rule – the FAA Enforcement and Compliance Order 2150.3 – says other enforcement actions can be taken including fines and jail time.
How will I designate my agent of service?
Via a new portal called the US Agent for Service System (USAS).
The FAA says it will be live by April 2.
When up and running it will allow you to nominate your agent and provide all required contact details via the online prompts.
Don’t forget you will also need to keep the system updated with any changes.
I live in the US, does this affect me?
Long story short, no. As long as the FAA has your physical address on file you’re good to go!
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Does this also apply to FAA Licenses based on a foreign license?
Aply to mexicans who live in México?
Hi Dionicio, it seems this rule will apply to any FAA certificate holder who does not have a physical US-based address on file with the FAA.
Hello, I have an FAA license ATP, with my address abroad printed in it, with my selected agent, will my licence continue to have my abroad address or it will change?
Hi Juan, good question. I’ll reach out to the FAA and see if they can give me more guidance on this one. Thanks.
My guess is that it will be up to you. Basically the FAA will your US address on file and I imagine as in a lot of other cases they don’t force people to apply for a new card since it will cost a bit (just a few bucks if I remember correctly). But you get a new one if you so choose.
But that is all my speculation on how other things were handled by them. So please do confirm. You can always call a FSDO, I would recommend the local one covering the area where you would have your US address.