What aircraft registration numbers tell you and where to search
An aircraft registration number — also called a tail number or N-number in the United States — is a unique identifier painted on the fuselage of every aircraft. It works like a license plate: one number belongs to exactly one aircraft, and you can use it to find information about that plane's owner, history, and current status.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a public database called the Aircraft Registry that lets you search by registration number and retrieve basic facts: who owns the aircraft, what type it is, when it was manufactured, and whether it is currently registered. Other countries maintain similar registries through their civil aviation authorities.
This search is genuinely free and open to anyone. You do not need special permission, an account, or a reason to look. The information returned is public record.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA's Aircraft Registry at faa.gov is the official source for U.S. aircraft information and can be searched by tail number at no cost.
- A registration number search returns the aircraft type, manufacturer, owner name, and registration status, but not flight history or real-time location.
- Non-U.S. aircraft use different registration formats and are registered with their own country's aviation authority, not the FAA.
- If a search returns no results, the number may be misread, the aircraft may be deregistered, or it may be registered outside the United States.
How to search the FAA Aircraft Registry
Go to faa.gov and look for the Aircraft Registry search tool. The FAA's main website has a link labeled "Aircraft Registry" or "N-Number Search" in the public records section. You can also navigate directly to the registry's search page if you know the URL, though the FAA occasionally updates its web structure.
Enter the registration number in the search box. U.S. aircraft numbers always start with the letter N followed by up to five characters (numbers, letters, or both). For example: N12345, N1A, or NXYZ99. Type the number exactly as it appears on the aircraft, including the N.
Click search. The registry will return a record showing the aircraft type (such as Cessna 172 or Boeing 737), the manufacturer's serial number, the year it was built, the current owner's name, and the registration status (active, expired, or deregistered). Some records also show the aircraft's address of record, which is usually the owner's mailing address.
If you get no results, double-check the number for typos. Aircraft numbers are often hard to read in photographs or from a distance. If you are certain of the number and still get no results, the aircraft may be deregistered (no longer in use), registered in another country, or the registry database may not have updated yet after a recent registration change.
What information you will and will not get
The FAA registry tells you who owns the aircraft and basic facts about the plane itself. You learn the make and model, the year of manufacture, the serial number, and whether the registration is current. For some aircraft, you also see the address where the owner receives mail.
The registry does not tell you where the aircraft is right now, its flight history, maintenance records, or accident history. It does not show whether the plane is currently in the air, parked, or grounded. It does not list the pilots or crew.
If you need accident or incident history, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) maintains a separate database of aviation accidents and incidents. If you need maintenance records or airworthiness information, those are held by the aircraft owner or operator and are not public in most cases.
Searching for aircraft registered outside the United States
Every country with a civil aviation authority maintains its own aircraft registry. The format and accessibility of these registries varies widely. Some countries publish searchable databases online; others require a formal request.
Aircraft registered in Canada use a registration format starting with C (such as C-GABC). Those registered in the United Kingdom start with G. European aircraft typically start with the country code (D for Germany, F for France, and so on). To search a non-U.S. aircraft, you need to know which country it is registered in, then contact that country's aviation authority or search their public registry if one exists.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) does not maintain a single searchable registry, but it does publish standards for how countries format registration numbers. If you know the country code at the start of the number, you can search for that country's aviation authority online.
Why you might search an aircraft registration
People search aircraft registrations for many reasons. You might want to know who owns a plane you saw, verify the type of aircraft in a photograph, check whether an aircraft is still registered after a long time out of service, or research the history of a specific plane you are interested in.
Journalists and researchers use the registry to trace aircraft ownership, particularly when ownership is obscured through shell companies or trusts. Aviation enthusiasts use it to identify aircraft at airports or in flight tracking data. Buyers and sellers use it to verify that an aircraft is registered and in good standing before a transaction.
The registry is also used by people checking whether a specific aircraft was involved in an accident or incident — though for that purpose, you would cross-reference the registration number with the NTSB database rather than relying on the FAA registry alone.
Understanding aircraft ownership records
The owner name in the FAA registry is the legal owner of record. For many private aircraft, this is an individual's name. For commercial aircraft, it is usually an airline or leasing company. For some aircraft, the owner is a trust or a limited liability company (LLC).
Ownership can be obscured intentionally. A person or organization may register an aircraft under a trust name, a company name, or a nominee to keep their identity private. The FAA registry shows the registered owner, but that may not be the person who actually operates or controls the aircraft. If you need to know the true beneficial owner, that information is generally not available through public records.
Ownership also changes over time. If an aircraft is sold, the new owner must register it with the FAA. The registry is updated when the transfer is recorded, but there can be a lag between the sale and the database update. If a search shows an owner you know is outdated, the aircraft may have been sold recently and the registry has not caught up yet.
What to do if the search does not work
If you search and get no results, start by verifying the registration number. Aircraft numbers are painted on the tail and fuselage, but they can be hard to read in photos, from a distance, or if the paint is faded. Check whether you may have misread a letter as a number or vice versa (such as confusing O and 0, or I and 1).
If you are certain of the number, the aircraft may be deregistered. Aircraft that are no longer in service, have been scrapped, or are stored long-term may have their registration cancelled. Deregistered aircraft still appear in historical FAA records, but the search tool may not return them in a standard search. You can contact the FAA directly to ask about a deregistered aircraft.
If the aircraft is not U.S.-registered, the FAA registry will not have it. Look at the registration number format: if it does not start with N, it belongs to another country. Identify the country code and search that country's aviation authority instead.
You can also contact the FAA's Aircraft Registry office directly by phone or mail if you have questions about a specific aircraft or if an online search is not returning results. The FAA publishes contact information on its website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out where an aircraft is right now using its registration number?
No. The FAA registry tells you who owns the aircraft and basic facts about it, but not its current location. To track a plane in real time, you would need to use a flight tracking website like FlightRadar24 or ADS-B Exchange, which show aircraft positions based on radar and transponder data. Those sites let you search by registration number, but they show live or recent flight data, not ownership information.
Does the FAA registry show maintenance records or accident history?
No. The registry shows ownership and aircraft type only. Accident and incident history is maintained by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in a separate database. Maintenance records are kept by the aircraft owner or operator and are not public. You can search the NTSB database by aircraft registration number to find any accidents or incidents involving that plane.
What if an aircraft is registered to a company I do not recognize?
The registered owner could be a leasing company, a holding company, or a trust. Aircraft are often registered to entities other than the person or organization that actually operates them. If you need to know who truly owns or operates an aircraft, you may need to research the company name separately or contact the FAA for more information.
How long does it take for the FAA registry to update after an aircraft is sold?
The FAA typically processes registration transfers within a few weeks, but there can be delays. If you search an aircraft and the owner information seems outdated, the aircraft may have been sold recently and the database has not updated yet. You can contact the FAA to ask about a pending transfer.
Can I search by aircraft type or owner name instead of registration number?
The FAA's main online search tool requires a registration number. However, the FAA does maintain other databases and records that can be searched by owner name or aircraft type. These are typically available through the FAA's public records office or by submitting a formal request. The online registry search is the fastest and easiest method if you have the registration number.