What We Evaluate

Every provider is scored across 9 categories, each rated 1–5. Those category ratings are then weighted into an overall score out of 100. Pricing is not a separate rated category — it is factored directly into the overall score weighting, where Price / Value accounts for 30% of the total score, so you can choose the best FAA U.S. Agent for Service USAS provider.

Pricing Transparency Is pricing clearly published? Are there hidden fees? Can you determine your total annual cost before signing up — or do you have to contact them first?

Aviation Credentials & Knowledge Does the provider demonstrate genuine aviation industry knowledge? Are staff pilots, mechanics, A&P-IAs, DPEs or aviation attorneys? Or is this a generic registered agent company that added FAA services as a secondary offering?

Physical U.S. Address Does the provider maintain a legitimate, verifiable U.S. street address for the receipt of FAA correspondence? Under FAA regulations 14 CFR Part 3 Subpart C, a valid U.S. Agent for Service address must be a physical street address — not a P.O. box or unmanned virtual office. The address must be staffed and attended during regular USPS delivery hours and process server business hours, so that FAA correspondence and legal process can be received, signed for and acted upon without delay. Providers who list addresses that do not meet this standard are flagged.

Mail Handling & Processing How does the provider handle physical FAA mail once it arrives? Is there a documented intake process — logging, time-stamping, secure storage? Or does your correspondence sit untracked in a pile until someone gets to it?

Scanning & Digital Delivery Are documents scanned promptly and delivered digitally? What resolution and format? How quickly after physical receipt? Is delivery automated or manual?

Dashboard & Client Portal Is there a secure online portal where you can log in, view your account status, access scanned documents and track your correspondence history? Or do you have to email and ask?

Notification Systems How quickly and how are you notified when FAA mail arrives? What channels are available — Email, SMS, WhatsApp, phone call? Is the notification process documented and consistent or informal and variable?

Physical Mail Forwarding Can the provider forward original physical documents to you internationally when required? What are the shipping options, costs and turnaround procedures? Are mailing costs included in the annual fee or billed separately?

Support Quality & Expertise Can you reach someone who actually understands FAA regulations, the Agent for Service requirement and the specific situation of an international certificate holder — or are you dealing with a generic customer service team reading from a script?

Additional Services & Extras Does the provider offer genuine value beyond the baseline requirement — aviation attorney referrals, N-registration trust services, multi-certificate coverage, multi-year pricing discounts, IACRA guidance or other meaningful add-ons?

Full Criteria Transparency

We publish the complete evaluation criteria so you can assess the methodology yourself. If you believe a category is missing, weighted incorrectly or could be improved, we want to hear from you.

The criteria matrix is a living document — it is reviewed at the start of each quarter and updated if the aviation community identifies meaningful gaps. Any changes to the matrix are announced publicly before the next quarterly review runs, so providers and readers alike know what’s changing and why.