Airspace Distributors

FAA Form 8130-3: What It Is and What It Isn't

Ask an aviation parts buyer what paperwork they want and the answer is often "an 8130." FAA Form 8130-3 is one of the most recognized documents in the parts world, and one of the most misunderstood. This guide from Airspace Distributors explains what the form is, who can issue it, what it does and doesn't certify, and what to check when you get one.

What it is

FAA Form 8130-3 is titled Authorized Release Certificate, Airworthiness Approval Tag (FAA form page; form PDF). It's a release document: a signed statement that identifies a specific article and certifies something about it at a specific time.

The FAA's instructions for completing it are in Order 8130.21J, Completion of FAA Form 8130-3 under Part 21 (order page; PDF). The order covers using the form for new articles under 14 CFR Part 21, for example airworthiness approvals by production approval holders, conformity determinations, and export approvals. Maintenance organizations also use the form to approve articles for return to service after maintenance under 14 CFR Part 43; the FAA moved those instructions out of Order 8130.21 and into AC 43-9D, Maintenance Records and FAA Form 8130-3 Return to Service (AC page). In short: for a new article the form is an airworthiness approval (or a conformity or export approval); for a used article it is an approval for return to service, not an airworthiness approval.

What the form says, in broad terms

Each form identifies the article (description, part number, serial or batch number, quantity), the organization issuing it, and a status or work statement, such as new, overhauled, repaired, inspected/tested or modified. It then carries a certification signed by an authorized person. Block 13 (13a–13e) is used for Part 21 releases of newly produced or prototype articles, and Block 14 (14a–14e) is used for return to service after maintenance. The block-by-block meaning is set out in Order 8130.21J (Block 13) and AC 43-9D (Block 14).

What it isn't

It isn't a full history. An 8130-3 certifies one event: production, or a specific maintenance action. It doesn't show the part's chain of ownership, past incidents, or total time and cycles. For that, you need traceability documents (see our traceability guide).

It isn't a guarantee for life. The form reflects the article's condition when it was released. Storage, handling and time since then still matter, especially for parts with a shelf life.

It isn't required for every part in every situation. Whether an 8130-3 is needed depends on the article, its source and the installer's quality system. Other acceptable documentation may exist. Your quality manual and the applicable regulations decide.

It isn't proof of authenticity on its own. Forms can be altered or attached to the wrong part. The document must match the part, and the issuer must be traceable.

It doesn't replace the installer's eligibility determination. The person installing the part is responsible for confirming it is eligible.

It isn't something a supplier creates on its own. Only appropriately authorized persons or organizations, such as production approval holders, FAA designees or certificated repair stations within their authority, can issue it.

What to check when you receive an 8130-3

  1. Part number and serial/batch number match the part's data plate or markings exactly.
  2. Status/work (Block 11) matches what you ordered (for example "overhauled" if you ordered OH).
  3. Remarks (Block 12): read it. It may list ADs or service bulletins complied with, or limitations.
  4. Issuing organization is identified, with its certificate or approval number where applicable.
  5. Signature, name and date are present and legible.
  6. No alterations: watch for corrections, white-out or inconsistent fonts.
  7. Dual release, if you need one: under the US-EU bilateral agreement (BASA) and its Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG, currently Change 10, effective 10 October 2025), an FAA Part 145 repair station that also holds an EASA Part-145 approval can issue a single 8130-3 that serves as both the FAA and the EASA maintenance release. No separate EASA Form 1 is issued. The EASA release statement and approval number appear in Block 12, and Block 14a has "Other regulation specified in Block 12" checked (together with "14 CFR 43.9 Return to Service" for a full dual release). If you need that, ask before you order.

Where it fits in a buyer's paperwork

Think of the 8130-3 as one strong link in the chain, not the whole chain. A typical package for a used part might include the 8130-3 from the most recent overhaul, earlier releases, a non-incident statement, and a supplier certificate of conformity. The ASA guidance on completing and interpreting its statement shows how suppliers document the rest of the history.

FAQ

Who can issue an FAA Form 8130-3? Only authorized persons and organizations, such as production approval holders, FAA designees and certificated repair stations, within the scope of their approvals. Order 8130.21J covers Part 21 issuance; AC 43-9D covers maintenance releases.

Does an 8130-3 mean the part is new? No. The Status/Work block (Block 11) tells you whether it's new, overhauled, repaired, inspected/tested or modified.

Is an 8130-3 the same as an EASA Form 1? They are similar release documents from different authorities. For maintenance done by a US repair station holding both FAA and EASA approvals, a dual-release 8130-3 is used instead of a separate EASA Form 1. Whether one is acceptable in place of the other depends on the applicable agreements and your authority's requirements.

Can a distributor issue an 8130-3? A distributor can't issue one simply because it sells the part. Issuance requires appropriate FAA authorization.

Does an 8130-3 expire? The form itself has no expiry date, but it describes the part's condition at release. Shelf life, storage and later events still matter.

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