(a) The FCC Registration Number (FRN) is a 10-digit unique identifying number that is assigned to entities doing business with the Commission.

(b) The FRN is obtained through the Commission Registration System (CORES) over the Internet at the CORES link at www.fcc.gov or by filing FCC Form 160.

(a) The FRN must be obtained by anyone doing business with the Commission, see 31 U.S.C. 7701(c)(2), including but not limited to:

(1) Anyone required to pay statutory charges under subpart G of this part;

(2) Anyone applying for a license, including someone who is exempt from paying statutory charges under subpart G of this part, see §§ 1.1114 and 1.1162;

(3) Anyone participating in a spectrum auction;

(4) Anyone holding or obtaining a spectrum auction license or loan;

(5) Anyone paying statutory charges on behalf of another entity or person; and

(6) Any applicant or service provider participating in the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Program, part 54, subpart F, of this chapter.

(b)(1) When registering for an FRN through the CORES, an entity's name, entity type, contact name and title, address, valid email address, and taxpayer identifying number (TIN) must be provided. For individuals, the TIN is the social security number (SSN).

(2) Information listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must be kept current by registrants either by updating the information on-line at the CORES link at www.fcc.gov or by filing FCC Form 161 (CORES Update/Change Form).

(c) A business may obtain as many FRNs as it deems appropriate for its business operations. Each subsidiary with a different TIN must obtain a separate FRN. Multiple FRNs shall not be obtained to evade payment of fees or other regulatory responsibilities.

(d) An FRN may be assigned by the Commission, which will promptly notify the entity of the assigned FRN.

[66 FR 47895, Sept. 14, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 36818, May 28, 2002; 68 FR 66277, Nov. 25, 2003; 69 FR 55109, Sept. 13, 2004; 70 FR 21651, Apr. 27, 2005; 86 FR 59868, Oct. 29, 2021]

The FRN must be provided with any filings requiring the payment of statutory charges under subpart G of this part, anyone applying for a license (whether or not a fee is required), including someone who is exempt from paying statutory charges under subpart G of this part, anyone participating in a spectrum auction, making up-front payments or deposits in a spectrum auction, anyone making a payment on an auction loan, anyone making a contribution to the Universal Service Fund, any applicant or service provider participating in the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Program, and anyone paying a forfeiture or other payment. A list of applications and other instances where the FRN is required will be posted on our Internet site and linked to the CORES page.

[69 FR 55109, Sept. 13, 2004]

(a) Electronic filing systems for filings that require the FRN will not accept a filing without the appropriate FRN. If a party seeks to make an electronic filing and does not have an FRN, the system will direct the party to the CORES website to obtain an FRN.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section or in other Commission rules, filings subject to the FRN requirement and submitted without an FRN will be returned or dismissed.

(c) Where the Commission has not established a filing deadline for an application, a missing or invalid FRN on such an application may be corrected and the application resubmitted. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section or in other Commission rules, the date that the resubmitted application is received by the Commission with a valid FRN will be considered the official filing date.

(d) Except for the filing of tariff publications (see 47 CFR 61.1(b)) or as provided in other Commission rules, where the Commission has established a filing deadline for an application and that application may be filed on paper, a missing or invalid FRN on such an application may be corrected with ten (10) business days of notification to the filer by the Commission staff and, in the event of such timely correction, the original date of filing will be retained as the official filing date.

[66 FR 47895, Sept. 14, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 36818, May 28, 2002]