Regulation Text
The holder of a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate who has made a change in permanent mailing address may not, after 30 days from that date, exercise the privileges of the certificate unless the holder has notified in writing the FAA, Airman Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125, of the new permanent mailing address, or if the permanent mailing address includes a post office box number, then the holder's current residential address.
The short answer
(14 CFR § 61.60) requires the holder of a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate who changes permanent mailing address to notify the FAA Airman Certification Branch in writing. After 30 days from the change, certificate privileges may not be exercised without that notification.
Research Notes
Common Questions
How long is allowed to report an address change to the FAA?
A certificate holder has 30 days; after that, certificate privileges may not be exercised until the FAA is notified in writing.
“The holder of a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate who has made a change in permanent mailing address may not, after 30 days from that date, exercise the privileges of the certificate unless the holder has notified in writing the FAA, Airman Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125, of the new permanent mailing address...” — 14 CFR § 61.60
What if the mailing address is a post office box?
If the permanent mailing address includes a post office box number, the holder must also provide the current residential address when notifying the FAA.
Who must comply with § 61.60?
The rule applies to holders of a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate who change their permanent mailing address.
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
Angle of Attack is an aviation flight-training brand founded by Chris Palmer, a two-time Master Aviation Educator and Gold Seal CFI. We decode the FARs so pilots understand not just the words, but what they mean in the cockpit.
AOA's Decoded pages are plain-English interpretation for training and reference. They are not legal advice and do not replace the official regulation. Always confirm current requirements against the authoritative source before acting.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.