Any lien for labor or materials provided for in this chapter may be assigned by written instrument accompanied by delivery of possession of the aircraft subject to the lien and the assignee may exercise the rights of a lienholder pursuant to this chapter. Any lienholder assigning a lien shall at the time of the assignment give written notice, either by personal delivery or by registered mail with return receipt requested, to the legal owner of the property covered by the lien, including the name and address of the person to whom the lien is assigned.
§ 1208.63.Assignment of Lien For Labor and Materials
Title 4. Of the Enforcement of Liens · Chapter 5. Liens on Aircraft · Enacted 1953 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1208.63 lets an aircraft lien for labor or materials be assigned by written instrument along with delivery of possession, giving the assignee the same lienholder rights, but only if the assignor gives the legal owner written notice, by personal delivery or registered mail, identifying the assignee.
Full Text of § 1208.63
Plain-English Summary
A lienholder who wants to transfer an aircraft lien to someone else can do so, as long as two things happen together: a written instrument of assignment, and delivery of possession of the aircraft itself, since the lien depends on possession under § 1208.61. Once both occur, the assignee steps into the assignor's shoes and can exercise all the rights a lienholder has under this chapter.
The assignor doesn't get to make this transfer quietly. At the time of assignment, the assignor has to give the legal owner of the aircraft written notice — delivered personally or by registered mail with return receipt requested — identifying the name and address of the person the lien is being assigned to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an aircraft lien be transferred to someone else?
Yes, by a written instrument of assignment accompanied by delivery of possession of the aircraft.
What rights does the assignee get?
The same rights a lienholder has under this chapter, including the right to sell the aircraft to satisfy the lien.
Does the legal owner need to be told about the assignment?
Yes. The assignor must give the legal owner written notice, by personal delivery or registered mail with return receipt requested, naming the assignee.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1953, Ch. 52.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: assigning aircraft lien california