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Amateur     Extra   7 Query tools (since 2003-2004)

Vanity Application Process

The following strategy is recommended for obtaining a vanity callsign:

1. Learn the rules about what callsign FORMATS are available to you:

   • The general rules are described in the FCC rules, US Title 47 CFR §97.19. Note particularly section (d)(4), which describes restrictions based on geographical location. Put simply, you can be assigned any available callsign in regions 1-10, but you will not be assigned a callsign reserved for regions 11-13 unless you live there.
   • The available formats are restricted, based on your class of license and geographical location; see the Call Sign Systems. Note that prior holders are exempt from these restrictions.
   • Note that there are several ranges of callsigns that are RESERVED; see the Call Sign Availability.
   
   

2. Research which callsigns are actually available:

   • For 1x2 and 2x1 callsigns reserved for Amateur Extra licensees, finding ANY available callsign can be difficult. Use this and/or other web sites to view lists of potentially available Amateur Extra callsigns. The license data here is usually current as of 02:10, 06:10, 10:10, 14:10, & 18:10 ET that day. Note that on most other non-FCC databases, the data is normally one day out of date.
   • Note that the callsigns of deceased amateurs are available to anyone after TWO YEARS AND ONE DAY beyond the date of death. If you submit satisfactory evidence of death to the FCC, they will cancel the callsign effective as of the date of death. Read about Silent Key Callsign Harvesting.
   • Verify that the callsign you want is currently available by checking the FCC's online ("Universal Licensing System").
   • Use this and/or other web sites to check if there is already a pending application for the callsign. Note that using the FCC's to search for other applications & retrieve the data is complex, sometimes doesn't work, and is not for the faint of heart.
   
   

3. Learn about the FCC's vanity application process:

   • While the FCC takes 18 or more days to actually process your vanity application, you must meet all of the FCC's requirements as of the official receipt date by the FCC (see below for details). In particular, the following requirements must be met on the receipt date:

     • You must hold the proper class of operator license appropriate to the callsign(s) you are applying for, as SHOWN IN THE AT THE EXACT TIME OF FILING (as distinct from when you received any temporary operating authority upon passing a license class upgrade examination).
     • All of the callsigns that you are applying for, must have an expired or cancellation date at least TWO YEARS AND ONE DAY earlier, unless you are filing with a request type of "Former Holder" or "Relative of Deceased" (see next item).

   • There are several vanity request types; see the Request Types (use the links on the right margin of that page). The normal application request type to use is "Primary Station Preference List" (meaning that you are requesting that the FCC select an eligible & available callsign from a prioritized list that you provide). If your request type is other than "Primary Station Preference List", make SURE you have supporting documentation in case the FCC asks for it. Note that it is a common error when applying to accidentally select "Former Primary Station Holder" instead of "Primary Station Preference List". In such cases, the application is routinely granted, and then the FCC investigates the claim of "Former Primary Station Holder". If the licensee cannot provide adequate documentation of his claim, the FCC will reverse the vanity callsign grant. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !

   • For a successful vanity application, the FCC will issue a new license with an expiration date ten years in the future. Despite the appearance of being a "renewal", your application is (in the FCC's mind) a "modification" of your present license. Even if your present license expires within 90 days, don't file your application as a "renewal" or a "renewal/modification"; file your renewal as a separate (concurrent) application if expiration of your present license is imminent.

4. File an application for the callsigns of your choice (see The Story of Zero). Follow the Obtaining a Vanity Call Sign instructions. Note that your application will be posted to the ULS at the end of the first Federal workday after you filed (officially, the receipt date).

   If you find that you made a mistake:

   • Before your application is posted to the ULS (at the end of the first Federal workday after you filed): File another application, and then delete the first one. As of 2003-08-01, you cannot change a completed application, once it is accepted but before it is posted to the ULS (see same day changes).
   • After your application is posted to the ULS: Amend your application in the . Note that this resets the receipt date of your application.

   Note that applicants occasionally file one application without paying, and then file a second application with payment. If you do this without then deleting or withdrawing the first application, both applications will be dismissed: the first one for non-payment, and the second one as a duplicate!

5. It does not matter what time of day you file, so long as AT THE EXACT TIME OF FILING, the shows you hold the proper class of operator license appropriate to the callsign(s) you are applying for. Except for duplicate applications (which will be dismissed), vanity applications with the same receipt date will be processed in a random order, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONTENT, ORDER, TIME OF FILING, OR ANY OTHER FACTOR (see Vanity Callsign Filing Procedures). Note that the practice of filing duplicate (multiple same-day) applications from the same applicant, in order to increase the chances of being granted a desireable callsign, has long been considered to be an unfair practice by most of the amateur community, and is now a violation of US Title 47 CFR §97.19(d)(1).

   Note that you can pay online by credit card either at the time of filing, or later. If you filed online, you may want to delay paying for a couple Federal workdays days to verify that your application has been entered correctly (see the following step), and if you are applying for a popular callsign, in order to view any competition for your chosen callsigns. The FCC license (not application) fee is:

   As of 2015-09-08	$0.00
   As of 2014-09-11	$21.40
   As of 2013-08-23	$16.10
   As of 2012-09-04	$15.00
   As of 2011-09-09	$14.20
   As of 2010-08-17	$13.30
   As of 2009-09-10	$13.40
   As of 2008-09-25	$12.30
   As of 2007-09-17	$11.70
   As of 2006-09-06	$20.80
   As of 2005-09-08	$21.90
   As of 2004-08-10	$20.80
   As of 2003-09-09	$16.30
   As of 2002-09-09	$14.50
   As of 2001-09-10	$12.00
   As of 1999-09-10	$14.00
   As of 1998-09-14	$13.00
   As of 1997-09-16	$50.00
   As of 1996-05-31	$30.00

6. Wait until a Federal workday has passed, and then use the FCC's to check on the status of your application: Search for your present callsign; any pending applications from you are shown there. Once your application shows up (typically on the day after the receipt date), verify that it appears correct.

7. If you have applied for a callsign that you need to cancel because the previous holder has been deceased for more than two years, NOW is normally the time to fax or otherwise send the FCC the notice of death (see Silent Key Callsign Harvesting). Note that the FCC must RECEIVE AND PROCESS your notice BEFORE your application is processed. If it appears that the FCC will not process your notice before the FCC "batches" your application (see below), you may want to amend your application (e.g., add another vanity callsign to your list) using the ; this will reset the "receipt date" to the date of the amendment.

8. If you filed your application online but did not pay for your application at the time of filing, now is the time to pay. You must pay the FCC within 10 calendar days of the receipt date of your application (see below). Use the secure payment site.

9. Valid applications are normally processed on the following schedule:

   1. Applications are considered "received" on the first Federal workday on or after the day the FCC (or their bank, if you file a paper application with a payment) actually receives them (for online applications, up until 23:59 ET). This means that applications filed on a Federal holiday or weekend are considered to be filed on the next Federal workday.
   2. The FCC waits 10 calendar days to receive everyone's payments. During this time, the FCC enters into their computer all paper applications (some forwarded by the FCC's bank).
   3. The FCC waits seven more calendar days (presumably for everyone's payments to clear the bank, if necessary). Even if you immediately pay online and there are no other applicants, the FCC still waits a total of 17 days.
   4. On the first Federal workday after 17 days beyond the receipt date, the FCC batches for its nightly processing, all vanity applications with that same receipt date.
   5. Early the next morning, between 00:00 & 02:00 ET, that batch of vanity applications with that same receipt date are processed. Duplicate applications are dismissed, and the remaining applications are then processed in a random order (without regard to content, the order or time of day that the application was received, or any other factor). Successful applications are immediately recorded with the current date as the date of license grant. At this point (around 02:00 ET) you can verify in the if your application has been granted, and if so, immediately start using your new callsign. Your new license grant will usually show up here within minutes of being granted. Note that it will not show up in most other non-FCC databases until at least the FOLLOWING day.
   6. Note that FCC no longer automatically prints and mails a copy of your license to you, because your true license is legally the data in the ULS (see FCC rules, US Title 47 CFR §97.5(a) & US Title 47 CFR §97.7(a)).

   This table summarizes the above (assuming no Federal holidays):

   Submitted on:	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
   Receipt date:	Mon	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Mon
   (wait 17+ days)
   Batch date:	Thu	Thu	Fri	Mon	Mon	Mon	Thu
   Process date:	Fri	Fri	Sat	Tue	Tue	Tue	Fri
   Days of delay:	19	18	18	20	19	18	20

   
   

10. If your application is rejected, you can apply for a refund of the vanity license fee. See the following FCC web pages:

    • FAQ: How do I get a refund
    • License Refunds

    Send a written request including the following information:

    • Applicant name & address.
    • "Taxpayer Identification Number" (TIN, also known as your Social Security Number).
    • "FCC Registration Number" (FRN).
    • "ULS File Number" for your application. You can find this on the (search for your current license, and then click on the "Admin" tab and note the ULS file number for your application). The ULS file number is also on the Form 159 which you filed with your payment (you DID print and keep a copy, didn't you?).
    • Indicate the "Radio Service" (e.g., "Amateur Radio/Vanity").
    • Your present callsign.
    • Check number (if applicable) or method of payment.
    • Date application was filed.
    • Date refund request was filed (when checking status).

    Use one of the following methods of communication:

    U.S. Postal Mail	Facsimile (FAX)	Electronic mail
    Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 1270 Fairfield Rd. Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245	717-338-2850	ulshelp@fcc.gov

    Expect a two to three month delay in receiving your refund.

For further help, or if you have any problems or suggestions, please use the AE7Q  message board.