June 10 update – look out for imminent medical renewals!
If you’re due for a medical soon, you might already need a US address in the USAS portal. Although the official FAA deadline to add a US agent for service is July 7, an OPSGROUP member recently discovered that MedXpress would not let him complete the pre-exam form without it. Since MedXpress and the USAS portal now talk to each other, the system checks for that US address before allowing you to proceed. Without it, you will not get the confirmation number needed for your medical.
Key Points
- The FAA has published a new rule that will require certificate holders abroad to nominate a physical US address for service.
- This is 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.
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).
This 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!