Are you an international pilot or aircraft owner with a foreign address? If so, you need to understand the critical FAA requirements outlined in Advisory Circular 3-1. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about designating a US agent for service to comply with FAA regulations.
What is Advisory Circular 3-1?
Advisory Circular 3-1 (AC 3-1) provides guidance on how international certificate holders must comply with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) sections 3.301 through 3.303. These regulations require individuals with foreign addresses who hold or apply for certain FAA certificates, ratings, or authorizations to designate a US agent for service.
Who Needs to Designate a US Agent for Service?
You must designate a US agent for service if you meet both of these criteria:
You have a foreign address with no US physical address on file with the FAA
You hold or are applying for certificates, ratings, or authorizations under:
Part 47 (Aircraft Registration)
Part 61 (Pilot Certificates)
Part 63 (Flight Engineer Certificates)
Part 65 (Air Traffic Control Tower Operators, Aircraft Dispatchers, etc.)
Part 67 (Medical Certificates)
Part 107 (Remote Pilot Certificates)
The FAA has provided a simple decision diagram to help determine if this requirement applies to you:
If you have a foreign address AND no US physical address on file with the FAA AND you hold or are applying for any of the above certificates → You must designate a US agent
If you have a US physical address on file → No US agent required
If you don't hold or aren't applying for the certificates listed above → No US agent required
What is a US Agent for Service?
A US agent for service is defined as an entity or an adult (18 years or older) with a US address who you designate to receive FAA documents on your behalf. This can be:
A registered agent service company
A relative, friend, or associate
Any entity or individual with a valid US address
What Documents Will Your US Agent Receive?
Your designated US agent will receive important FAA documents addressed to them as your agent, including:
Enforcement action letters, notices, and orders
Reexamination letters
Letters of investigation
Letters requesting additional medical information
Notices about aircraft registration status
How to Designate a US Agent for Service
The FAA has created a new system called the US Agent for Service System (USAS) that can be accessed at https://usas.faa.gov. To designate your agent:
Visit the USAS website
Follow the on-screen prompts
Provide your personal information (name, email, physical address, etc.)
Provide your FAA-specific information (certificate number, DOB, etc.)
Enter your US agent's information:
Full name
Type of agent (entity or individual)
US agent address
US agent's email address
Optional: Fax number and telephone number
Certify that your US agent has accepted the responsibility
Your Responsibilities as a Certificate Holder
When designating a US agent, you must ensure:
Your agent understands they must be available to receive FAA documents
Your agent agrees to immediately transmit all documents to you
Your agent is competent and has the means to efficiently notify you
Your agent will provide timely notice of any changes to their contact information
Remember: The FAA considers service on your US agent as equivalent to service directly on you. You remain legally responsible for responding to or complying with requirements in documents served to your agent.
Keeping Your US Agent Information Current
You must update your US agent information within 30 days of any change. This includes:
Change of agent address
Change of agent name
New email address
Designating a completely new agent
All updates must be made through the USAS system.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to designate a US agent for service has serious consequences:
For current certificate holders: If you don't designate a US agent within nine months of the final rule publication, you may not exercise any privileges of your certificate, rating, or authorization. For aircraft owners, your registration may be considered ineffective.
For applicants: You will not be issued a certificate, rating, or authorization unless you designate a US agent at the time of application.
Choose Your US Agent Carefully
Since the FAA considers service on your US agent as equivalent to direct service to you, selecting a trustworthy and reliable US agent is crucial. Consider these factors:
Does your agent understand their responsibilities?
Can they efficiently receive and transmit documents?
Are they reliable and trustworthy?
Do they have a stable US address?
Can they handle time-sensitive documents? (Some FAA documents require response within as little as two days)
Need Professional US Agent Services?
At ESA Aviation, Inc., we specialize in providing US agent for service solutions for international pilots and other FAA certificate holders. Our professional team understands the importance of reliable document handling and immediate notification.
Our services include:
Professional US agent designation
Document scanning and immediate electronic delivery
Secure handling of all FAA correspondence
Timely notifications of all received documents
Regular updates on regulation changes
Conclusion
Designating a US agent for service is now a mandatory requirement for international pilots and aircraft owners with foreign addresses. Failure to comply by the deadline of July 7, 2025, could result in the inability to exercise your FAA certificate privileges.
For more information or to designate your US agent, visit the official FAA USAS website or contact us at usagentforservice.net for professional assistance. Select a plan and designate ESA Aviation, Inc. as your FAA US Agent for Service today!
Check out our other blog posts for more information about the FAA's US Agent for Service rule.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For official guidance, please refer to the original AC 3-1 document available on the FAA website.
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