Supporting documentation for private pilot licensing applications

You need to provide a copy of your Flight Crew licence for all pilot licensing applications. This can be a photocopy or a photograph of your licence, as long as the photo is of a high enough resolution that it can be zoomed into and all text can be clearly read.

Unless the photo is of high enough quality (sufficiently sharp and not blurry), we will be unable to accept it and will therefore request a better copy, which will delay your application.

These copies do not need to be certified.

If you sat your theoretical knowledge examinations abroad and are applying to the UK CAA to have your licence issued, you will need to provide a copy of your examination results. Similarly, if you have sat part of your exam set abroad and wish to continue taking the rest of your exams with the UK CAA, you will need to provide a copy of your exam results.

These copies do not need to be certified.

Please note that you do not need to provide a copy of your examination results if you sat your exams with the UK CAA, as the results are already held on our system.

You will be asked to submit proof of ID with certain licensing applications.

There are two ways to provide your ID document:

• by providing a photograph of you holding your photo ID
• by providing a certified copy of your photo ID

Providing a photograph of you holding your photo ID

The option to provide a photo of yourself holding your ID is provided as an alternative to obtaining a certified copy.

How to take the photo:

• take the photo in a room with enough light
• select the highest photo quality on the device you are using to take the photo
• hold up your ID document next to your face
• make sure both your head and shoulders are visible in the picture
• make sure your ID is clear in the photo. Nothing on the ID can be covered. The picture on your ID must be clear and all text must be legible

If your photo is not of high enough quality (sufficiently sharp and not blurry), we won’t be able to accept it and will therefore request a better or certified copy, which will delay your application.

We are unable to accept a photo where the passport image is reversed. Please ensure your ID document is the right way around so it is readable, before submitting your photo.

Example

Providing a certified copy of your photo ID

Alternatively, you can provide a photocopy of your photo ID that has been certified by someone working in a 'recognised profession'.

Certification format

The certifier should write the following on each copy:

• the declaration “I have seen the original document and I certify that this is a complete and accurate copy of the original passport for (applicant name)”
• their signature
• their name (in block capitals)
• their position/job title (for example, "Head of Training at [company name]")
• their CAA reference number (where applicable) or their professional qualification number
• the date

It does not matter where on the page the certifier enters the certification text, as long as they don’t write over the photo or passport details.

Example

If you need to change the name on your licence, we may ask for a certified copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll certificate to be submitted with your change of details application. 

Who can certify your marriage certificate or a deed poll

Your certificate can be certified by someone working in a 'recognised profession'.

Certification format

The certifier should write the following on each copy:

• the declaration “I have seen the original document and I certify that this is a complete and accurate copy of the original [marriage certificate] for [applicant name]”
• their signature
• their name (in block capitals)
• their position/job title and company(for example, "Head of Training at [Company name]")
• their CAA reference number (where applicable) or their professional qualification number
• the date

Please see our guidance on submitting logbooks for further information on how to send us copies of your flying logbooks.

In order to certify a document for a licensing application, the certifier must meet the following criteria:

The certifier must:

• be 18 or over
• work in (or be retired from) a ‘recognised profession’

The certifier cannot be someone:

• you’re related to by birth or marriage
• you’re in a relationship with or live with

The following are considered to be a ‘recognised profession’.

Aviation professionals:

• Airline Pilot - must hold a UK issued pilots’ licence
• Base Captain
• Chief Flying Instructor (CFI)
• Engineer - must hold a UK issued engineers’ licence
• Fleet Manager
• Head of Flight standards at an Air Operator Certificate holder or authorised signatory
• Head of Training at your Approved Training Organisation
• UK-approved examiner

Non-aviation professionals:

• Accountant
• bank or building society official
• Barrister/Solicitor
• commissioner for oaths
• Councillor, for example local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• Dentist
• Doctor
• financial services intermediary, for example a Stockbroker or Insurance Broker
• fire service official
• justice of the peace
• local government officer
• Member of Parliament
• Minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
• Nurse (RGN or RMN)
• Officer of the Armed Services
• Optician
• paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
• Pharmacist
• Police Officer
• Post Office official
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers