Licensing
Obtaining a Vanity Call Sign
10-year license fee: Reviewed annually.
For the current fee amount, see Wireless Fee Filing Guide

There are two ways of filing an application to request a vanity call sign:

Using the Universal Licensing System (ULS)
Manually using a paper FCC Form 605

The FCC offers licensees the opportunity to request a specific call sign for their primary station and for their club station. To make the request, you can use either the Universal Licensing System or the document Forms 605 (edition date of March 2001 or later) Schedule D and 159.

Using the Universal Licensing System

Go to the Universal Licensing System, select Online Filing, and do the following:

1. 1. Login to the ULS License Manager with your FCC Registration Number (FRN). Note: Tax Payer Identification Numbers (TINs) can no longer be used to login to ULS, effective December 14, 2003.
   2. From your License At A Glance page, choose the Request Vanity Call Sign link on the right hand menu called Work on this License.
   3. Answer the Applicant Questions, and click Continue.
   4. Select Eligibility Click in the radio button to the left of the eligibility requirement under which you wish to apply for a vanity call sign:
      • Former primary station holder You are eligible to have the call sign which appears on your primary license displayed on your new vanity license if you are a former primary station holder.
      • Close relative of former holder You may display the call sign of a deceased spouse, child, grandchild, stepchild, parent, grandparent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or in-law on your primary station license.
      • Primary station preference list You may request one or more call signs that you provide in the correct Commission format in the order of your preference. ULS will validate the format of each call sign on your list in turn and select the first call sign in the correct format which is not already assigned to another licensee.

      Note: You cannot receive a vanity call sign from a call sign group for which your operator class is not eligible. For example, if you are operator class T (technician), you can only receive call signs from groups C & D. If you request a call sign from groups A or B, your application will be dismissed by the Commission.

      After making your choice, click the Continue button.

   5. On the Licensee Information page, review and update all of your licensee information. Make any corrections that are necessary. You must keep your address of record current with the FCC. This address will be used to mail you all official correspondence including your license and related information. When ready select Continue.
   6. On the Summary page review the information you have entered. If you wish to make additional changes, click the Edit button next to the section of your application you wish to Edit. You will be able to return to that page of the application. Make the desired change(s) and select the Return to Summary button.
   7. When ready to submit your application to the Commission, choose the Continue to Certify button.
   8. After reading the certification, enter your first and last names and title if appropriate in the boxes at the bottom of the page. You MUST sign the application. When finished choose the Submit Application button.
   9. From the ULS Confirmation screen, we recommend you print a copy of your application and/or the Confirmation screen itself from your web browser.

      Note: The address and contact information you have entered in CORES registration will not be automatically associated with your licenses. To change the address or other contact information on your license, you must update your information in ULS or submit Form 605 (edition date of March 2001 or later) manually.
      

   After submitting the application form, you will receive a file number and the filing fee will be displayed. Click on View Form 159, select Form 159 button, and then choose to pay by credit card online. If you are not paying online, print out and mail Form 159 along with your payment by check or credit card to:

   Federal Communications Commission
   Wireless Bureau Applications
   P.O. Box 358994
   Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5994
   

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   Manually Filing Using Paper Form 605

   You can request forms 605 (edition date of March 2001 or later) and 159 by calling (800) 418-FORM (3676), download the form or call our Fax Information System at (202) 418-0177.

   Your application package--completed documents Form 605 (edition date of March 2001 or later) and Form 159, and the proper fee in a sealed envelope--must show this mailing address:

   Federal Communications Commission
   Wireless Bureau Applications
   P. O. Box 358130
   Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5130

   If your application package is delivered by hand or courier, it must be prepared as described above and sealed within a second, outer envelope showing the following courier address:

   Federal Communications Commission
   c/o Mellon Client Service Center
   500 Ross Street, Room 670
   Pittsburgh, PA 15252-0001
   Attn: FCC Module Supervisor

   Related Notes

   • Fee Payment is accepted by check (payable to "FCC"), bank draft, money order or credit card. DO NOT SEND CASH.

   • If you submit an application in ULS and do not make fee payment online, the rules require that the FCC receives your payment within 10 days of your submission date.

   • If you do not use the Form 159 provided on the ULS website when making a fee payment, you must provide the ULS generated file number for your application in the field labeled 'FCC Code 2'. (Blank copies of the Form 159 will not have your file number printed on them.) If you do not include your file number, the FCC will not be able to match your payment to your application and your application will be dismissed.
     

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   Last reviewed/updated on 12/16/2003.