How to Register Your Drone
Before you fly, make sure your drone is registered correctly with the FAA. Registration depends on how you fly: recreationally, commercially under Part 107, or for another approved purpose. This guide walks you through the basic steps, common mistakes, and what to do after registration.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm whether your drone must be registered
- Choose Recreational or Part 107 registration
- Enter owner and drone information
- Pay the FAA registration fee
- Label the drone with the registration number
- Carry proof of registration when flying
- Renew before the registration expires
Do You Need to Register?
Most drones must be registered if they weigh 0.55 pounds, or 250 grams, or more. The biggest mistake is choosing the wrong registration type. Recreational flyers and Part 107 commercial operators are treated differently.
Recreational Flyers
If you fly only for fun under the recreational rules, one FAA recreational registration can cover the drones in your recreational inventory.
- For hobby or recreational flying
- One registration covers recreational drones
- You still need to follow recreational rules
- TRUST completion is also required for recreational flyers
Part 107 Operators
If the drone is used for business, paid work, education, inspections, marketing, mapping, or any non-recreational purpose, register it under Part 107.
- Each drone is registered individually
- Used for commercial or non-recreational operations
- Requires aircraft-specific information
- Do not fly Part 107 work under recreational registration
Common Weight Rule
Drones under 0.55 pounds may not need registration when flown strictly recreationally, but the same drone may still need registration if used under Part 107.
- 0.55 lb equals 250 grams
- Purpose of flight matters
- Commercial use changes the registration requirement
- When unsure, verify through FAA DroneZone
FAA Drone Registration Steps
Use the FAA DroneZone website to register. Avoid third-party websites that charge extra fees or make the process look more complicated than it is.
Confirm
Determine whether your drone must be registered based on weight and how you intend to fly.
Choose Type
Select recreational registration for hobby flying or Part 107 registration for commercial and non-recreational operations.
Enter Info
Provide your contact information, drone make and model, serial number, and Remote ID information when applicable.
Label & Carry
Label the drone with the registration number and carry digital or paper proof of registration when flying.
What You Need Before You Start
Having the correct information ready makes the registration process much easier. Part 107 operators should be especially careful because each aircraft is registered separately.
Basic Information
- Physical address
- Mailing address, if different
- Email address
- Phone number
- Credit or debit card
Drone Information
- Drone manufacturer
- Drone model
- Aircraft serial number
- Remote ID serial number, if applicable
- Registration category: Recreational or Part 107
After Registration
- Save a digital copy of your certificate
- Keep a printed backup if preferred
- Label the drone before flying
- Make sure the label is visible or accessible without tools
- Renew registration before it expires
Common Mistakes
- Choosing recreational registration for commercial work
- Forgetting to register each Part 107 drone
- Placing the label where tools are needed to access it
- Forgetting the 3-year renewal
- Ignoring Remote ID requirements
Recreational vs Part 107 Registration
The registration type should match the reason you are flying. This is one of the most important decisions on the page.
Choose Recreational If...
- You are flying only for personal enjoyment
- You are not being paid or compensated
- The flight is not connected to a business, organization, or job
- You are following recreational flyer rules
- You have completed TRUST
Choose Part 107 If...
- You are flying for business or compensation
- You are taking photos or video for a client
- You are flying for inspections, mapping, or marketing
- You are supporting a school, agency, company, or organization
- You are using the drone for any non-recreational purpose
YouTube Walkthrough Coming Soon
Add your YouTube registration walkthrough here later. This section is designed as a clean placeholder for an embedded video explaining how to create a DroneZone account, choose the correct registration type, label the aircraft, and avoid common mistakes.
Need Help Understanding Drone Registration?
NC Drone Co helps recreational flyers, students, educators, public agencies, and commercial operators understand drone registration, Part 107 operations, Remote ID, and safe unmanned aircraft practices.