How to Report a UFO Sighting

Overview

If you've witnessed something unusual in the sky that you cannot identify after reasonable verification attempts, several organizations accept and investigate UFO/UAP reports. This guide covers the main reporting channels, what information to document, and best practices for making your report useful to investigators.

Official Reporting Channels

AARO (Department of Defense)

Website: aaro.mil/Submit-A-Report

The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office accepts reports from:

Current or former U.S. government employees
Current or former military service members
Current or former government contractors

Scope: AARO's reporting mechanism is specifically for individuals with direct knowledge of U.S. government programs or activities related to UAP dating back to 1945. It is not designed for general public sighting reports.

For Military Personnel: Active-duty military and DoD civilian personnel must report UAP encounters through their command or service chain, not directly to AARO.

For Civilian Pilots: Report UAP sightings promptly to air traffic control. The FAA forwards relevant reports to AARO through official channels.

FAA (For Pilots)

Civilian and commercial pilots should report unusual aerial phenomena to:

Air traffic control (during flight)
Flight Service Stations
FAA Safety Hotline: 1-800-255-1111

Reports can also be submitted through the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), which provides legal protection for good-faith safety reports.

Civilian Reporting Organizations

NUFORC (National UFO Reporting Center)

Website: nuforc.org

Hotline: 206-722-3000 (primarily for recent sightings)

Email: [email protected]

NUFORC has served as the central civilian agency for UFO reports in the United States for over 50 years. Key features:

Online report form is the preferred submission method
Contact information is optional but helpful for follow-up
Contact details kept strictly confidential unless you opt for release
Can upload photographs, videos, and illustrations
Reports are reviewed and posted to a public database

MUFON (Mutual UFO Network)

Website: mufon.com

Phone: 513-871-8367 (membership/orders only, not for reports)

MUFON is the world's oldest and largest civilian UFO investigation organization. Report features:

Reports submitted online through their Case Management System
Each report receives a unique MUFON case number
Reports forwarded to State Directors for investigator assignment
Field Investigators may contact you for additional information
Note: MUFON does not accept reports by phone

Important: Media uploaded to MUFON may be publicly viewable. Do not include personal information in photos, videos, or drawings.

Americans for Safe Aerospace

Website: safeaerospace.org

Founded by former Navy pilot Ryan Graves, this organization focuses on:

Reports from military veterans and commercial pilots
Aviation safety concerns related to UAP
Providing a confidential path for professional pilots

What Information to Record

Essential Details

Date and Time: As precise as possible, including time zone
Location: City, state, GPS coordinates if available
Duration: How long the sighting lasted
Direction: Compass heading where the object was observed
Elevation: Angle above horizon (degrees, or relative terms like "overhead")
Weather Conditions: Clear, cloudy, visibility, wind

Object Description

Shape: Disc, sphere, triangle, cigar, light, other
Size: Angular size (compared to Moon, star, held coin at arm's length)
Color: Including any color changes
Brightness: Compared to stars, Moon, Venus
Sound: Silent, humming, roaring, etc.
Movement: Stationary, steady, erratic, speed estimates

Witness Information

Number of witnesses
Your activities at time of sighting
Any optical aids used (binoculars, telescope, camera zoom)
Your experience level (pilot, astronomer, casual observer)

Documentation Best Practices

Photography and Video

Avoid excessive zoom: Digital zoom on phones creates artifacts and distortion
Include reference points: Trees, buildings, or horizon help establish scale
Keep camera steady: Use a tripod or brace against a stable surface
Record continuously: Don't stop and start; continuous footage is more valuable
Preserve original files: Don't edit or enhance before submitting
Note equipment used: Camera model, lens, settings if known

Written Notes

Write down details immediately while fresh in memory
Note any attempts to identify the object (apps checked, calls made)
Record emotional state and physical effects, if any
Document independently from other witnesses before comparing notes

Sketches

Draw what you saw, even if photography was possible
Include relative positions of reference points
Mark compass directions and estimated angles
Do NOT include personal information in drawings

Before Reporting: Verification Steps

Consider ruling out common explanations before submitting a report:

Check satellite tracking: Heavens-Above.com, N2YO.com for Starlink, ISS, etc.
Check sky maps: Stellarium, SkySafari to identify bright planets or stars
Check flight tracking: FlightRadar24, FlightAware for aircraft in the area
Check local events: Nearby airports, military bases, or celebration events
Check launch schedules: SpaceX, NASA, and other launches visible from long distances

Privacy Considerations

Contact information is typically kept confidential by reporting organizations
You can usually report anonymously, though this limits follow-up
Photos and videos may be shared publicly by some organizations—read their policies
Consider whether you want your name associated with the report

What Happens After You Report

NUFORC: Reports reviewed and posted to public database; may be contacted for clarification
MUFON: Assigned case number, forwarded to State Director for investigator assignment
AARO: Staff may reach out to request additional detail or arrange interview (government personnel only)

Investigation timelines vary. Most organizations have volunteer investigators and limited resources, so not every report receives personal follow-up.