The FCC accepts changes and renewals electronically via their Universal Licensing Service (ULS) system. You may file for electronic renewal at 90 days or less before your license will expire, or up to two years after expiration. License changes may be filed at anytime. The FCC's URL for electronic filing is: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/ . To use the on-line ULS system, you must first be sure you are registered in the Commission Registration System (CORES) and have a Federal Registration Number (FRN) and CORES password to work with your FCC license record. To receive a FRN you must supply your Social Security Number (SSN) to FCC. As part of their compliance with the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, FCC must collect SSN's. Once registered, you may then choose the ONLINE FILING "LOG IN" link to perform your on-line transaction with FCC (for password help or on-line filing questions contact FCC Tech Support weekdays at: 1-877-480-3201).
If you are applying for a New Vanity Call Sign or if you have a Vanity License Renewal, remember to have your credit card accessible to pay the FCC Regulatory Fee. You may request a sequentially issued call sign at the time of your vanity renewal, if you do not wish to pay the mandatory fee. There are no filing fees for standard license renewals or changes (address, name, sequentially issued call sign). Step by step instructions for on-line filing follow:
If you are Renewing a Vanity license you must continue on to the FCC Form 159 payment application.
When applying for a New Vanity Call Sign, Select your Eligibility, and fill in the requested call sign(s) in the Vanity Call Sign Preference List. Continue to the certification page, type in your name, then hit "Submit Application". On the Confirmation page be sure to print a copy of your on-line application for your records and then you must continue on to the FCC Form 159 payment application.
Vanity Renewals/New Vanity Calls: Before leaving the confirmation page, you must click on the "Continue to Form 159" button which is near the bottom of the page. This action will attach your payment to ensure proper fee association and to avoid possible dismissal of this application. To enter Electronic Form 159 payment you must again enter your FRN and Cores password. On Payment Summary page click on box "Pay by Credit Card". On the Online Payment page, Step 1 is to fill in all required fields. Select the "Continue with Plastic Card Payment" button to continue. Step 2: is to authorize the payment. On the bottom of this page, you must check the box that reads, "I authorize a charge to my card account for the above amount in accordance with my card issuer agreement". You can also edit any incorrect information and enter your email address to receive a confirmation from FCC. Then press the "Submit Payment" Button. Only press it once or it could result in multiple transactions. On the Payment Confirmation page, be sure to print a copy of Form 159 for your records. That's it --you're done!
Your FCC license renewal or change(s) should be in place
within the next three FCC business days, or less.
FCC takes 18 days to process and issue a New Vanity License.
After being processed, a new hardcopy license will arrive by mail from FCC within a couple of weeks.
The FCC may be reached by telephone at 1-888-225-5322.
Processing time can vary depending on the FCC's workload. If you file your change or renewal electronically or via ARRL, the process may take only a few days in order to renew your license. If you file by hardcopy via mail to FCC, the FCC might take several weeks to process your change or renewal. You may file your license change or NON-Vanity license renewal by mail directly to the FCC. ONLY "FCC" Form 605 is accepted by FCC. Download FCC Forms from http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html . After completing the form, you can mail your FCC Form 605 to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245.
Vanity Renewals will also need to submit FCC Payment Form 159 and the FCC Regulatory Fee, along with the "FCC" Form 605. If you do not wish to pay the mandatory fee, you may request a sequentially issued call sign at the time of renewal. New Vanity Call sign requests also require FCC Payment Form 159 as well as FCC Form 605 "Schedule D" to be completed along with the "FCC" Form 605. When submitting fees, payments or applications to the lockbox bank, filers should specifically reference the Government Lockbox number - 979097 -- on the 159 Payment form. After completing the required forms, you can mail your FCC Form 605 (FCC Form Schedule D for New Vanity requests), FCC Form 159 and payment to: Federal Communications Commission, PO Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.
FCC Contact Information:
General Information: 1-888-225-5322.
Fax: 1-717-338-2696
Tech Support (for password help or on-line filing questions): 1-877-480-3201
Web Address: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/
This procedure must be done directly with the FCC and requires a Regulatory Fee. Filing for a Vanity License with the associated Fee can be done electronically via the FCC ULS web site. For additional information see the ARRL Vanity Call Sign page. For detailed filing instructions, please refer to the License Changes and Renewals Electronically with FCC Via the WEB section above.
The NCVEC Form 605 must be sent to the ARRL VEC. If sent directly to the FCC, it will be rejected. The ARRL charges a fee to process the NCVEC Form 605 to amateurs who are not current ARRL members. ARRL Members should refer to the Member Instructions Page for ARRL Procedures.
License modifications/changes or NON-Vanity renewal procedures will be Processed for $15.00.
Vanity license renewals require a Processing Fee (includes required FCC Regulatory Fee and ARRL $15 processing Fee). See payment information below.
A license can be renewed no sooner than 90 days before the expiration of the license. License changes can be done anytime.
The NCVEC Form 605 does not have a space for obtaining a duplicate license, but you can simply write 'Duplicate' on the form and it will be processed.
Please complete the NCVEC Form 605 application (remember to include your Social Security Number or FRN number), payment form (see below) and return them back to us at ARRL HQ.
If you file via ARRL, the process may take only a few days in order to change or renew your license, once ARRL receives it. A new hardcopy license will arrive by mail from FCC within a couple of weeks. If you have any questions, contact the ARRL VEC by phone: 1-860-594-0300 or e-mail: vec@arrl.org .
Our address is ARRL VEC, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111.
VANITY License Renewals: The FCC requires a FCC Regulatory Fee to renew Vanity licenses. If you do not wish to pay the mandatory fee, you may request a sequentially issued call sign at the time of renewal.
TOTAL DUE ARRL
o $15.00 (ARRL processing Fee for license changes and NON-Vanity renewals)
o $28.40 (Vanity Renewals: includes required FCC Regulatory Fee and ARRL $15 processing Fee)
o Payment enclosed (Checks payable to "ARRL VEC" in US funds only).
o Charge order to MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, Discover (circle one)
Card No._________________________________________ Exp. date mm/year _______________
Cardholder Name _________________________ Cardholder Signature ______________________