14 CFR § 48.120 - Invalid registration.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s48.120"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 48.120 - Invalid registration."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "48.120"
section_name: "Invalid registration."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIRCRAFT"
part_number: "48"
part_name: "REGISTRATION AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101, 40103, 40113-40114, 41703, 44101-44103, 44105-44106, 44110-44113, 44809(f), 45302, 45305, 46104, 46301, 46306."
regulatory_source: "Doc. No. FAA-2015-7396; Amdt. No. 48-1; 80 FR 78645, Dec. 16, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "48"
---


# 48.120 Invalid registration.

The registration of a small unmanned aircraft is invalid if, at the time it is made—

(a) The aircraft is registered in a foreign country;

(b) The applicant is not the owner, except when the applicant registers on behalf of an owner who is under 13 years of age;

(c) The applicant is not eligible to submit an application under this part; or

(d) The interest of the applicant in the aircraft was created by a transaction that was not entered into in good faith, but rather was made to avoid (with or without the owner's knowledge) compliance with 49 U.S.C. 44101-44103.