Drones are finding their way into the hands of hobbyists and business people, and are increasingly being used for policing and surveillance, aerial filming and competitions.

Federal law is now requiring the registration of drones for safety purposes, and just in case it gets lost. Anyone who owns an unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 lbs. must register with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft System.

Anyone who operated their machine before Dec. 21, 2015 must register it by Feb. 19, 2016. If the machine was purchased after Dec. 21, 2015, it must be registered before it is operated outdoors.

If you fail to register your drone, you could face civil and criminal penalties. The aviation administration may give civil penalties up to $27,500, while criminal penalties include fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

You must be at least 13 years old and a U.S citizen or legal resident to register your drone. It costs $5 to register aircrafts with the federal government.

 Drones must be registered even if they are a gift, homemade, or just flown for fun in the backyard.

Registration must be done online if your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs. or 250 grams, and less than 55 lbs. or 25 kg. If your drone weighs more than 55 lbs., you must register it by paper.

This policy does not apply to children’s toy airplanes. The FAA states that most toys costing $100 or less are not at the weight limit.

When registering your drone online make sure you register it at the FAA website. All other registration websites are scams.

Once you have registered your drone, you receive a confirmation number and you have to engrave it, write it with permanent marker, or put a label on the drone to indicate that it is registered.

Registration numbers must be visible, but you can mark it in the battery compartment if a tool is not needed to open the compartment.

If you have more than one drone you can put that same confirmation number on all the drones you have. Registration is valid for three years, and is renewable by paying the fee again.

After you’ve completed your registration, you would also receive a certificate. You don’t have to print it, if anyone asks you for the certificate you may show it electronically.

If someone borrows your drone, you have to give that person the certificate of registration.

Anyone who visits the United States and brings a drone must register it, even if it’s for a competition or a business purpose. Foreign nationals will receive a recognition of ownership, instead of the recognition of registration that U.S. citizens and permanent residents receive.

Drones have a flying limit of 400 feet; basically once you cannot see your drone it has passed the limit.

Aircrafts can be used for commercial operations and/or businesses, but it has to go through a different process called Section 333.

The Section 333 allows business-marketing companies to have the usability of drones safely and legally. Industries included are: Aerial filming and photography, precision agriculture, Flare stack monitoring, and Critical infrastructure inspection.

It is required for you to have a pilot with an airman certificate from the FAA. The administration analyzed that this activity will bring economic benefits and demand for civil operations. The FAA can deny your application for the section 333, but you can place another application within 60 days.

You are prohibited from: flying your aircraft near airports or any manned aircrafts, near people or stadiums, flying beyond line of sight, and endangering people.