FAA Drone Zone – Your Central Hub for Drone Services

Manage your drone registration, waivers, and airspace approvals from one user-friendly FAA portal.

What Is DroneZone?

FAA DroneZone is the official online platform from the Federal Aviation Administration, designed to unify key drone-related services—everything from registration to waivers, authorizations, and more—into one streamlined dashboard. It serves as your entry point to:

  • Registering your drone (for both recreational and commercial use)
  • Requesting airspace waivers or authorizations, especially where LAANC isn’t available
  • Reporting drone-related accidents
  • Accessing FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs)
  • Managing community-based organization (CBO) involvement and notices
  • Submitting Notice of Intent (NOI) for operations

Who Needs to Register

  • All drones must be registered in DroneZone unless they weigh 0.55 pounds (less than 250 grams) and are flown exclusively under the Exception for Recreational Flyers. FAA Safety
  • If you register under Part 107, your drone may be used for both commercial and recreational operations. However, drones registered under the Recreational Exception are limited to hobby use.

DroneZone Registration Process

You’ll need:

  • A valid email and physical address (plus mailing address, if different)

  • Drone’s make and model

  • Remote ID serial number, if applicable

  • Payment method (credit/debit card) for the registration fee of $5, valid for three years

Requirements:

  • Registrants must be at least 13 years old
  • U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents can register. Foreign operators are recognized only for ownership—not considered U.S. aircraft registration holders

After Registration: What’s Next?

  • Upon registration, you’ll receive a certificate that must be kept on hand—either digitally or printed—during every flight. Anyone flying your drone must also carry the certificate.
  • You must also label your drone visibly and legibly with the assigned registration number. The label must remain affixed during all operations.

Renewals and Penalties

  • Registration expires after three years and must be renewed through DroneZone.

  • Failure to register when required may result in civil penalties up to $27,500, or criminal penalties up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

Integration with Remote ID

  • Starting September 16, 2023, mandatory compliance with the Remote ID rule applies to all drones required to register—giving owners time to upgrade.
  • Drone manufacturers had a deadline of September 16, 2022, to produce drones with built-in Remote ID.
  • FAA strongly encourages using Remote ID broadcast modules for retrofits

FAQs

DroneZone is the FAA’s official online portal for registering drones, managing Remote ID compliance, and submitting Part 107 applications and waivers.

Any drone that weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250 grams) and is flown for recreational or commercial purposes must be registered.

Yes—if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs, even for recreational use, registration is required.

Registration costs $5 per drone or per operator, depending on the registration type, and is valid for three years.