The short answer
To register a U.S. aircraft, an eligible owner (a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying entity) files a bill of sale and registration application with the FAA Aircraft Registry. If financed, the lender's lien is recorded at the same time. In practice, a title/escrow company handles the filings as part of closing.
Eligibility and the Paperwork
The owner must generally be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying U.S. entity (with special structures such as owner trusts sometimes used by non-citizens). The core documents are the aircraft bill of sale and the registration application; a financed purchase also involves a security agreement that the lender records as a lien. See our FAA registration process guide.
Escrow Handles It at Closing
Aircraft transactions almost always close through a title and escrow company, which verifies clear title, coordinates the FAA filings (registration and, for financed aircraft, the lien), holds funds, and disburses at closing. Registration processing has its own timeline at the Registry; your escrow company advises on operating the aircraft during processing. Coordinating the loan closing with escrow keeps registration and funding aligned.
Figures in this article are illustrative for the 2026 market and are not offers of credit. Jaken Aviation is a licensed aircraft financing brokerage — a division of Jaken Finance Group — and does not make loan decisions. All financing is subject to lender approval. Tax and legal information is general; consult a qualified professional.
Related Questions
Can a non-U.S. citizen register a U.S. aircraft?
There are eligibility rules; non-citizens sometimes use qualifying structures such as owner trusts. Confirm the approach with escrow and an aviation attorney.
Who records the lien on a financed aircraft?
The lender's security interest is recorded as a lien with the FAA Registry, typically handled through escrow at closing, and released at payoff.
Is registration the same as airworthiness?
No — registration records ownership and the lien; airworthiness is a separate matter of the aircraft's certification and maintenance status.
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