Why Some FAA Agent Services Cost Less — And What It Could Cost You Later

Let's Talk About the Price Question

If you've been looking into Agent for Service providers, you've probably noticed something: prices are all over the place. And maybe you’ve wondered, why does Jet Verge cost more than some of the other options?

It’s a fair question. When a new FAA regulation drops out of the sky and suddenly requires every international certificate holder to appoint a U.S. Agent, it's natural to look for the quickest, cheapest fix.

But staying compliant with the FAA isn’t just a box to check. It’s a responsibility with real consequences.

This post breaks down what you're actually buying in an FAA Agent, and what many "budget" services leave out.

What You’re Really Buying in an FAA Agent

An Agent for Service isn’t just a name on a form.

Under FAR Part 3 Subpart C, your agent becomes your official point of contact with the FAA. When the FAA needs to send you anything, a compliance request, a registration issue, or a Notice of Certificate Action, they send it to your agent. Legally, it’s treated the same as handing it to you in person.

That means your agent is responsible for:

• Receiving and handling time-sensitive FAA mail
• Notifying you immediately of any action
• Forwarding documents fast enough to meet legal response windows
• Representing you as the official contact inside the U.S

Some services treat this role like a glorified PO box. But the FAA doesn’t. And neither should you.

Breaking Down the “Cheap” Model

We get it, lower prices catch eyes. But when it comes to FAA compliance, a “basic” service often leaves out the things that actually keep your certification safe.

Here’s what many low-cost providers don’t tell you:

No Mailing Costs Included:

Most budget services don’t include the cost of forwarding documents. International expedited shipping alone averages $75 one-way. Need to respond quickly? That’s $150 round trip, just for postage. And that doesn’t include handling, scanning, or translation.

No Legal Compliance with International Treaties:

Here’s the part most cheap providers don’t even know to mention:

All legal documents sent across borders, like those from the FAA, must comply with international treaties like the Hague Service Convention and the Inter-American Convention (IACAP). These agreements outline how government documents must be formally served. That means your agent isn’t just dropping an envelope in the mail, they’re triggering an entire process of certified international service.

Failing to follow these steps? It’s not just a technicality, it could mean the FAA’s communication doesn’t legally count, which opens you up to enforcement actions with no way to prove you were even notified.

Hidden Processing Fees:

On top of mailing, many countries impose reciprocal service fees, translation requirements, and central authority processing costs.

• The U.S. Central Authority charges $95.
• Many countries charge equal or higher fees.
• Remote or hard-to-reach regions can add hundreds more per mailing.

And if your agent doesn’t handle those steps? Guess who the cost and consequences fall on: you.

No FAA-Specific Knowledge:

A generic mail-forwarding company isn’t equipped to recognize what a “Notice of Certificate Action” means, or the deadline printed in fine print. They won’t flag a time-sensitive document, and they won’t know who at the FAA to contact if things go sideways.

Total Cost of Ownership Adds Up:

In its official 2023 rulemaking notice, the FAA estimated the real annual cost of compliance, including proper document handling, international service, and translation, to fall between $150 and $300 per certificate holder.

If your provider charges well below that, ask yourself: Where are they cutting corners?

Because if it’s on mailing, legal processing, or document alerts...
It’s not a bargain.
It’s a risk.

What Jet Verge Includes (and Why It Matters)

Jet Verge was built by FAA-certified pilots, mechanics, and aviation professionals. We understand what compliance actually requires because we live it.

Here’s what you get with us:

• All Mailing Fees Included
     No surprise charges. No per-letter shipping bills. It's all part of your plan.
• Fastest Processing Time in the Industry
      We use DocuSign and digital tools to respond same day.
• Online Dashboard Access
      View documents, upload forms, request actions, and track everything in one place.
• Real Human Support
      Need help understanding a notice? You’ll talk to a real expert, not a call center.
• Full FAA Representation
      We handle all FAA contact on your behalf, not just the mail.

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Final Word — For Those Who Want It Done Right

Jet Verge isn’t the cheapest, and we’re not trying to be. We’re here for the certificate holders who want it done right the first time.

For pilots, mechanics, aircraft owners, and remote operators living outside the U.S., we’re the trusted partner that helps you stay legal without losing sleep over missed mail or confusing notices.

We’re aviation professionals helping aviation professionals. Not a mailbox. Not a middleman.

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If that’s what you’re looking for, we’d be honored to represent you.

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