What Is an Aircraft Title Search? What It Shows and What It Misses

An aircraft title search checks the documents recorded against an aircraft to see who is on record as owner and whether loans, liens, leases, or other claims are recorded. It can miss claims that were never filed, and it is not proof of ownership.

What a US aircraft title search includes

For a US registered aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration keeps these records at the Aircraft Registration Branch in Oklahoma City. A title search reviews that file. It shows who is on record as owner and whether any loans, liens, leases, or other interests are recorded. It also shows releases of those interests when filed.

The federal law behind the system is 49 U.S.C. 44107. It tells the FAA to record conveyances that affect an interest in a US civil aircraft. It also covers leases and security instruments on aircraft engines with at least 550 rated takeoff horsepower and propellers that can absorb at least 750 rated takeoff shaft horsepower, along with releases of those documents. The FAA records documents in the order they are received. It indexes them by aircraft and by the names of the parties.

Why does this matter to you as a buyer? Under 49 U.S.C. 44108, a conveyance, lease, or security instrument is valid only against the person who made it, that person’s heirs, and anyone who actually knows about it, until it is filed for recording. Once recorded, it is valid against everyone from the date of filing. This is why lenders and owners file their documents, and why you check the record before you pay.

Leases can be recorded too. If you are new to lease types, see our guide to wet lease, dry lease and leaseback.

Important limits on what the FAA record means

Registration is not proof of ownership. Under 49 U.S.C. 44103(c) and 14 CFR 47.5(c), a certificate of registration is not evidence of ownership in a proceeding where ownership is in question. The FAA does not issue a certificate of ownership. It registers an aircraft to the person who appears to be the owner based on the documents submitted.

The FAA records documents. It does not judge them. Under 14 CFR 49.17(c), recording a conveyance is not a decision by the FAA that the document truly affects title. A title search will show what is filed, but it is not a legal ruling on who owns the aircraft.

An FAA file can also miss some claims. Under 14 CFR 49.17(a)(2), a notice of federal tax lien is not recordable with the FAA, because the tax code requires it to be filed elsewhere. Other claims may exist if they were never filed with the FAA. Ask the title company or your lawyer which extra searches they run in addition to the FAA file.

When the International Registry also matters

The Cape Town Treaty was adopted in the United States by the Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004. The changes took effect on March 1, 2006. The treaty recognizes an International Registry as another place to file interests, including prospective interests, in certain airframes, helicopters, and engines.

Per the FAA, the International Registry covers these items: airframes type certificated to carry at least 8 persons including crew, or goods over 2,750 kilograms, helicopters type certificated to carry at least 5 persons including crew, or goods over 450 kilograms, jet engines with at least 1,750 pounds of thrust, and turbine or piston engines with at least 550 rated takeoff horsepower. If your aircraft or engines meet these thresholds, a full search covers both the FAA records and the International Registry.

The FAA Civil Aviation Registry is the US entry point to the International Registry. A person files AC Form 8050-135 with the FAA to get the authorization code needed to register an interest there, as described in 14 CFR Part 49, Subpart F.

Engines can be checked on their own. Larger engines can have documents recorded against them separately from the airframe. Make sure your search lists the engine serial numbers so nothing is missed.

Source to check	What it shows	What it might not show or key notes
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch	Recorded owner, liens, loans, leases, security interests, and releases, indexed by aircraft and names	Not a legal ruling on title. Registration is not proof of ownership. Federal tax liens are not recordable. Unfiled claims will not appear.
International Registry	International interests, including prospective interests, in covered airframes, helicopters, and engines	Applies only to aircraft and engines that meet size and power thresholds. Smaller items are not covered.
Extra searches by your provider	Possible checks for claims filed outside the FAA system	Ask which searches they run and how they match names and serials. Scope varies by provider.

How to order records and when to search

Anyone can request copies of a US aircraft’s records from the FAA. You can order online, by mail, or by fax, and receive paper or electronic copies. Most buyers hire an aircraft title company or an aviation lawyer to run the search and explain the result.

Order a search early, before you commit money. Then run another search just before closing. New documents can arrive at the FAA in between, and the file is recorded in the order received. A fresh search right before you fund helps you see any late filings.

A title search checks legal claims. It is not a check of the aircraft’s condition. For that, plan a separate review using a pre-purchase inspection.

The title search usually sits within the escrow process. If you want an overview of how funds and documents move, read aircraft escrow explained.

Outside the United States, each country has its own aircraft register and rules, so use a local aviation lawyer.

Practical tips for a clean close

Match the airframe serial number and registration mark on every document. List each engine serial number if the engines meet the horsepower or thrust thresholds. Confirm that any recorded liens have matching releases, or that releases will be filed at closing. If your aircraft falls within the International Registry rules, confirm whether any interests are registered there and how they will be handled.

If the aircraft will be moved after closing, plan the handoff and any positioning flights. Our guide to aircraft ferry flights explains how a move can be arranged once the deal is done.

Checklist of questions to ask your provider

• Will your report match the aircraft and engine serial numbers from the bill of sale and logs?
• Based on this aircraft, should we also search the International Registry, and why?
• What extra searches do you run for claims that are not recorded with the FAA?
• What items in the FAA file look open, and what releases are needed at closing?
• How soon before funding will you update the search?
• Will you flag if the registration documents do not line up with ownership?
• Can you provide a sample report so I know what to expect?

Sources: US 49 U.S.C. 44103, 44107 and 44108; 14 CFR Parts 47 and 49; FAA Aircraft Registry (aircraft records and Cape Town Treaty pages).

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