How long are NOTAMs kept?

Operational retention vs archive

Public NOTAM search tools (including FAA NOTAM Search) are designed for current operations, not multi-year retention. Once a NOTAM is no longer active, it is typically removed from those interfaces within a short period. Briefing distributors prioritise a clean, current feed for the next departure.

Some national authorities maintain longer internal records, but those are not always accessible to investigators, lawyers, or insurers without formal processes. A commercial archive layer — queried by ICAO and date — provides practical access for professional retrospective work.

NOTAM History archive window

NOTAM History queries an external authoritative archive with approximately two years of historical NOTAM data, searchable by ICAO location and validity date. Coverage depends on what the provider holds for the requested aerodrome or FIR on that date.

If no snapshot exists, no result is returned. Users should treat archive output as one evidence layer and verify critical legal conclusions against primary authority records where required. See data sources and accuracy for limitations.

Why two years matters in practice

Most accident investigations, insurance claims, and regulatory enquiries involving NOTAM evidence occur within months or a few years of the event. A two-year archive window covers the majority of professional retrospective needs without the cost and complexity of maintaining a global perpetual public database.

For events beyond available archive depth, contact the relevant national AIS or authority. NOTAM History does not claim to replace official long-term national archives where those exist.

Retrieving expired NOTAMs today

If you need a NOTAM that has expired from FAA or briefing feeds, use NOTAM History with the ICAO code and historical date. Results are emailed in ICAO plain-text format. Pricing: €9.99 one-off, €29.99/year (ten searches), €29.99 top-up packs.

For background on removal from public sites, read why expired NOTAMs disappear. For archive product overview, see NOTAM archive.

Planning evidence collection timelines

Organisations should define internal deadlines for capturing retrospective NOTAM evidence well inside the two-year NOTAM History archive window. Waiting until year two risks provider gaps for specific dates.

National authorities may retain NOTAM issuance records longer than public briefing sites display them, but obtaining those records can require formal requests. Commercial archive access provides immediate email results for supported ICAO locations.

Document retention policies for emailed archive results should align with litigation hold and SMS requirements. Store messages in case files with search parameters noted.

Professional use summary

NOTAM History delivers archived NOTAMs by ICAO aerodrome or FIR and historical validity date, with approximately two years of archive depth via professional aviation data APIs. Pricing: €9.99 one-off, €29.99/year (ten searches), €29.99 top-up. Email output uses ICAO plain-text format for investigators, lawyers, insurers, safety officers, and operators. Not for pre-flight briefing — use FAA NOTAM Search or approved operator systems for current US and international operations before flight.

NOTAM History queries professional archive APIs by 4-letter ICAO aerodrome or FIR code and historical validity date, returning ICAO plain-text NOTAM output by email within seconds. Archive depth is approximately two years where supported. Pricing is €9.99 per one-off search, €29.99 per year including ten searches, or €29.99 top-up packs. The service is designed for investigators, aviation lawyers, insurers, safety officers, and operators who need expired NOTAMs no longer shown on FAA NOTAM Search or briefing apps — and is not for pre-flight operational briefing.