How to Verify FAA 8130-3 Airworthiness Certification on Aircraft Parts

Compliance & Certification · 10 min read · Published 2026-03-12

The FAA 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag is the primary document certifying that an aircraft part meets FAA airworthiness standards and is approved for installation. Verifying the authenticity and accuracy of 8130-3 tags is essential for preventing the installation of unapproved or counterfeit parts. This guide explains every field on the form, how to verify it with the FAA, and what red flags indicate a fraudulent tag.

Key Takeaways

The FAA 8130-3 tag certifies that a part has been manufactured, inspected, tested, or overhauled in accordance with approved data and is approved for return to service.
Key fields to verify include Block 1 (approving authority), Block 12 (status/work description), Block 13 (remarks), and Block 14 (certification/approval).
You can verify a repair station's certificate number through the FAA's online database at av-info.faa.gov.
Red flags include missing or illegible signatures, incorrect form versions, mismatched serial numbers, and repair station certificates that don't match FAA records.
International equivalents include EASA Form 1 (Europe), TCCA Form One (Canada), and ANAC Certificate (Brazil) — each has bilateral agreements with the FAA.

What Is the FAA 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag?

The FAA Form 8130-3, officially titled "Authorized Release Certificate, Airworthiness Approval Tag," is a dual-purpose document issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. It serves as both a manufacturing approval tag for new parts and a maintenance release document for repaired or overhauled components.

When you receive an aircraft part with an 8130-3 tag, it means an FAA-authorized entity — either the manufacturer, a certified repair station, or an FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) — has certified that the part conforms to its approved design and is safe for installation on a type-certificated aircraft.

The 8130-3 is not just paperwork — it's a legal document. Installing a part with a fraudulent or invalid 8130-3 violates 14 CFR Part 43 and can result in enforcement action, certificate suspension, and criminal prosecution.

Key Fields on the 8130-3 Form Explained

The 8130-3 form contains 14 blocks, each serving a specific purpose. Here are the most critical fields to verify:

Block 1 — Approving Civil Aviation Authority: Should state "Federal Aviation Administration" for FAA-issued tags or the applicable foreign authority for bilateral releases.

Block 4 — Part Name: Must match the part you received exactly. Verify against the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) for the applicable aircraft.

Block 5 — Part Number: Must match the part marking on the component itself. Any discrepancy is a major red flag.

Block 6 — Serial Number: Must match the serial number stamped or engraved on the part. For serialized components, cross-reference with maintenance records.

Block 12 — Status/Work: Describes what was done — manufacture, overhaul, repair, or inspection. This tells you the part's condition code.

Block 14 — Certification/Approval: Contains the authorized signature, certificate number of the repair station or manufacturer, and date. This is the most critical field for verification.

How to Verify an 8130-3 Tag Step by Step

Follow these steps to verify the authenticity of any 8130-3 tag you receive with an aircraft part:

Step 1: Visual inspection. Check that the form is the current revision, printed clearly, and free of alterations or whiteout. The FAA periodically updates the form — older versions may not be acceptable.

Step 2: Verify the repair station certificate. Go to the FAA's online database at av-info.faa.gov/repairstation.asp and search for the certificate number listed in Block 14. Confirm the repair station is active and holds the appropriate ratings for the work performed.

Step 3: Cross-reference part details. Verify that the part number (Block 5), serial number (Block 6), and description (Block 4) match the physical part markings exactly. Check these against the applicable IPC.

Step 4: Verify the signature. Block 14 must contain an authorized signature — not a stamp or photocopy of a signature. For electronic 8130-3 tags, verify the digital signature meets FAA Order 8130.21 requirements.

Step 5: Check the date. The release date should be consistent with when the work was reportedly performed. An 8130-3 dated years before the sale with no storage documentation raises questions about the part's storage conditions.

Red Flags for Fraudulent 8130-3 Tags

The aviation industry takes documentation fraud seriously because unapproved parts pose direct safety risks. Watch for these warning signs:

Repair station certificate not found in FAA database — The most definitive red flag. If the certificate number doesn't exist or has been revoked, the tag is invalid.
Mismatched part or serial numbers — The numbers on the tag must exactly match the physical part markings.
Photocopied or stamped signatures — Block 14 requires an original signature from an authorized individual.
Outdated form version — Using an obsolete revision of the 8130-3 form may indicate the tag was created from an old template.
Vague or missing Block 12 entries — The work description should be specific. Entries like "inspected and found serviceable" without detail are suspect.
No accompanying work order or shop report — Legitimate repair stations maintain detailed records and can provide supporting documentation on request.

International Equivalents: EASA Form 1 and Others

Authority	Form	Region	FAA Bilateral Agreement
FAA	8130-3	United States	N/A
EASA	Form 1	European Union	Yes — mutual acceptance
TCCA	Form One	Canada	Yes — BASA agreement
ANAC	SEGVOO 003	Brazil	Yes — bilateral
CAAC	AAC-038	China	Limited

Under bilateral agreements, an EASA Form 1 can be accepted in lieu of an FAA 8130-3 for parts manufactured or maintained in EASA member states, and vice versa. However, the accepting authority may require additional documentation or inspections depending on the specific agreement terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FAA 8130-3 tag and why is it important?

The FAA Form 8130-3, titled 'Authorized Release Certificate, Airworthiness Approval Tag,' is an official FAA document that certifies an aircraft part has been manufactured, repaired, or overhauled in accordance with approved data and meets airworthiness standards. It serves as the primary proof that a part is legal for installation on a type-certificated aircraft. Without a valid 8130-3 tag, a part is considered unapproved and cannot be legally installed under 14 CFR Part 43.

How can I verify if an 8130-3 tag is authentic?

To verify an 8130-3 tag, start by checking the repair station certificate number listed in Block 14 against the FAA's online database at av-info.faa.gov. Confirm the station is active and holds ratings for the type of work described. Then cross-reference the part number and serial number on the tag with the physical markings on the component. Verify the signature in Block 14 is original (not photocopied). If any information doesn't match or the repair station can't be found in the FAA database, do not accept the part.

Can an EASA Form 1 be used instead of an FAA 8130-3?

Yes, under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between the FAA and EASA, an EASA Form 1 can be accepted as equivalent to an FAA 8130-3 for parts manufactured or maintained in EASA member states. The accepting operator or repair station must verify that the bilateral agreement covers the specific type of part and work performed. Some components may require additional documentation or an FAA-issued 8130-3 depending on the applicable Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS).

What should I do if I receive a part with missing or suspicious documentation?

If you receive an aircraft part with missing, incomplete, or suspicious documentation, do not install the part. Quarantine it immediately and contact the supplier to request proper documentation. If the documentation cannot be verified, you can have the part inspected and recertified by an FAA-authorized repair station, which will issue a new 8130-3 tag upon approval. Report suspected fraudulent documentation to the FAA's Safety Hotline at 1-800-255-1111 or through the FAA's online Hotline Complaint Form.

Do all aircraft parts require an 8130-3 tag?

Not all parts require an 8130-3 tag. Standard hardware (AN, MS, NAS bolts, nuts, washers), raw materials, and consumable items like safety wire, lubricants, and sealants do not require individual 8130-3 tags. However, they must still be procured from approved sources with appropriate conformity documentation. All serialized components, life-limited parts, and major assemblies require 8130-3 tags or equivalent documentation for legal installation on type-certificated aircraft.

New vs Overhauled vs Serviceable Aircraft Parts: Which Condition Should You Buy? — Aircraft parts are sold in several condition codes — New (NE), Factory New (FN), Overhauled (OH), Serviceable (SV), As-Removed (AR), and Pro...
How to Read Aircraft Parts Trace Documentation — Aircraft parts trace documentation is the collection of records that establishes a component's complete history from manufacture to its curr...
The Complete Guide to Aircraft Parts Sourcing in 2026 — Aircraft parts sourcing is the process of locating, evaluating, and procuring certified aviation components from OEMs, authorized distributo...