---
title: Aircraft Registration and N-Number Assignment for Your RV
description: How to register your RV, reserve an N-number, and handle change-of-ownership paperwork with the FAA and Van's Aircraft.
---
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October 5, 2026
# Aircraft Registration and N-Number Assignment for Your RV
## FAA registration, N-number reservation, and change-of-ownership paperwork for your RV
Registering an experimental amateur-built RV with the FAA is a multi-step paper trail that runs in parallel with the back end of your build. This article walks through the major touchpoints and where Van's Aircraft fits in.
## Who needs this
Any builder approaching airworthiness inspection, anyone buying or selling a partially built kit, and anyone whose name on the Van's customer account does not match the eventual aircraft owner.
## Reserve an N-number early
You can reserve an N-number through the FAA registry well before first flight. Reservations are inexpensive, renewable annually, and let you order placards, panels, and paint with the final number already locked in. Apply at the FAA Civil Aviation Registry online portal at [registry.faa.gov](https://registry.faa.gov).
## Builder paperwork from Van's
For your airworthiness package the DAR will typically want:
- A bill of sale or kit invoice from Van's showing you as the buyer of the major components (empennage, wing, fuselage, finishing kits)
- Your builder number, which appears on the original kit acknowledgement and on your *My Aircraft* page on the Van's webstore
- Documentation of any second-hand kit transfer (see below)
Van's can re-send purchase confirmations and kit acknowledgements on request if originals are lost. Contact Builder Support with the builder number and serial number.
## Change of ownership on a partial or completed kit
When a kit changes hands before first flight, Van's needs a change-of-ownership notice so the builder number transfers to the new owner. This is important because:
- The new owner gets access to plans, revisions, and the *My Aircraft* webstore section
- Service Bulletins and Service Letters are routed to the current owner of record
- Replacement parts pricing and eligibility depend on builder-of-record status
Submit a signed bill of sale between buyer and seller, along with the kit serial number, to Van's Builder Support. Note that FAA registration is a separate process you handle directly with the FAA — Van's cannot file it on your behalf.
## FAA registration steps
1. File AC Form 8050-88 (Affidavit of Ownership for an Aircraft) for the experimental airframe you built
2. File AC Form 8050-1 (Aircraft Registration Application)
3. File AC Form 8050-2 (Aircraft Bill of Sale) if applicable
4. Pay the registration fee and wait for the pink-slip temporary registration before flight
The DAR will use these forms during your airworthiness inspection along with builder logs and weight-and-balance data.
## Common gotchas
- Builder name on Van's account does not match the FAA registrant - update the Van's account before paperwork is filed
- N-number reservation expires before first flight - set a renewal reminder
- Buying a "started" kit without paperwork - request a bill of sale from the previous builder and notify Van's
- International builders must follow their own civil aviation authority's registration process; Van's documentation supports that process but does not replace it
## Where to go next
For DAR selection and inspection preparation, see the [EAA's Technical Counselor and DAR resources](https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/build-your-aircraft/before-you-build-your-aircraft/technical-counselors). For *My Aircraft* webstore access or kit ownership transfer questions, contact [Van's Builder Support](https://www.vansaircraft.com/contact/).
*Source tickets: builder registration, N-number assignment, change-of-ownership, and builder-number transfer cases from Builder Tech Support.*
- [Wing](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/wing?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Ailerons](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/wing?hsLang=en#ailerons)
- [Spars](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/wing?hsLang=en#spars)
- [Flaps](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/wing?hsLang=en#flaps)
- [Fuel System](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/fuel-system?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Senders, Vents and Fittings](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/fuel-system?hsLang=en#senders-vents-and-fittings)
- [Fuel Tanks](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/fuel-system?hsLang=en#fuel-tanks)
- [Fuselage](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/fuselage?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Fuselage Structure](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/fuselage?hsLang=en#fuselage-structure)
- [Canopy and Windows](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/fuselage?hsLang=en#canopy-and-windows)
- [Finishing Kit](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/finishing-kit?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Wheels and Tires](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/finishing-kit?hsLang=en#wheels-and-tires)
- [Fairings](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/finishing-kit?hsLang=en#fairings)
- [Firewall Forward](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/firewall-forward?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Engine Mounts and Isolators](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/firewall-forward?hsLang=en#engine-mounts-and-isolators)
- [Oil System](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/firewall-forward?hsLang=en#oil-system)
- [Engine Selection and Installation](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/firewall-forward?hsLang=en#engine-selection-and-installation)
- [Cowling and Baffles](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/firewall-forward?hsLang=en#cowling-and-baffles)
- [Avionics](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/avionics?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [EFIS and Displays](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/avionics?hsLang=en#efis-and-displays)
- [Wiring, Harness and Panel](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/avionics?hsLang=en#wiring-harness-and-panel)
- [Finishing](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/finishing?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Primers, Paint and Corrosion](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/finishing?hsLang=en#primers-paint-and-corrosion)
- [Registrations](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/registrations?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Registration and Ownership](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/registrations?hsLang=en#registration-and-ownership)
- [Inspection and First Flight](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/registrations?hsLang=en#inspection-and-first-flight)
- [General](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Materials, Sealants and Composites](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#materials-sealants-and-composites)
- [Tools and Workshop](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#tools-and-workshop)
- [Rivets and Fasteners](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#rivets-and-fasteners)
- [Plans, Manuals and Drawings](https://support.vansaircraft.com/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#plans-manuals-and-drawings)
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