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.
Research Notes
Section 61.60 is a straightforward administrative requirement: certificated airmen must keep the FAA Airman Certification Branch updated with their current mailing address within 30 days of any change. The requirement applies to all pilot certificate holders, flight instructors, and ground instructors.
How to notify the FAA: The written notification may be submitted through the FAA's online Airman Inquiry system at FAA Airmen Inquiry or by written letter to Airman Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Online update through FAA's Airmen Services portal (accessible via faa.gov/licenses_certificates) is the most efficient method.
Physical certificate vs. registry: The airman certificate itself does not display the address — it is the FAA's Airman Registry that maintains the address record. A pilot's certificate remains valid even if the registry address is outdated, but the pilot is in violation of § 61.60 if they fly after the 30-day window without updating the registry.
Why this matters beyond administrative compliance: The FAA uses the registry address to mail enforcement correspondence, medical certificate renewal reminders, and airman safety information. A pilot with an outdated address may miss time-sensitive FAA communications. Additionally, FSDO investigators and law enforcement agencies use the registry to locate airmen — an outdated address can complicate FAA safety investigations.
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.
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.