More than 45,000 drone owners have registered them since the process began on Monday,
the Federal Aviation Administration reports.
The number would likely have been higher, but the agency took down the registration website for maintenance in anticipation of 400,000 drones being sold during the Christmas season.
In light of fears that small drone aircraft could be used for terrorism, invasions of privacy or interfering with larger aircraft, the FAA instituted the registration of all unmanned aircraft weighing between .55 and 55 pounds.
"Registration will foster a greater awareness on the part of users to learn the rules about flying safely in the National Airspace System," the FAA website says."Registration will also enable the FAA to trace the ownership of an aircraft in the event of an incident."
Those who register will receive a sticker with their registration number to affix to the drone.
People who already owned drones and model aircraft before December 21 have until February 19 to register. All others must register before the craft's first flight.
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