How do you report a UFO sighting?

In the United States, file a report with NUFORC (nuforc.org) or MUFON (mufon.com) using their online forms. In France, report to GEIPAN (the official CNES agency, geipan.fr). You can also submit the case to Vigi-Sky for the citizen database. Note immediately the date, exact time (to the minute), location (GPS coordinates if possible), duration, number of witnesses, trajectory, weather and any obstacles. Preserve original photos and videos with EXIF metadata intact.

NUFORC (the National UFO Reporting Center) is the largest UFO sighting database in the United States. Founded in 1974 and based in Washington State, it has logged more than 170,000 reports. NUFORC accepts reports through an online form or a 24/7 phone hotline. The database is fully public and searchable by state, date, shape and duration.

MUFON (the Mutual UFO Network) is a U.S. nonprofit organization founded in 1969. Unlike NUFORC, MUFON has a network of trained Field Investigators who follow up on reports in person. Members can submit cases through mufon.com, with photos, videos and witness statements. MUFON publishes a monthly journal and an annual case report.

What should I do with multiple witnesses?

Sightings with multiple witnesses are far more valuable for investigation. Collect each person's testimony separately, BEFORE any discussion among witnesses, to avoid contamination of memory. Take everyone's contact information (with consent), and ask each witness to write down or record their version within 24 hours. Convergence on objective details (time, duration, trajectory) = strong signal. Divergences are also useful.

Should I call law enforcement to report a UFO?

It can be a good idea, especially with a striking sighting or multiple witnesses. In the United States, do not call 911 unless there is an immediate danger; for non-emergency reports, contact your local police department or sheriff's office during business hours. Officers will typically log the call. In France, GEIPAN has had a formal agreement with the Gendarmerie Nationale since 1974: officers collect testimony using a standardized UFO sighting form and forward it to GEIPAN. Do NOT call the emergency line (17 in France) unless there is an immediate threat.

How do I track the status of my report?

NUFORC publishes most reports on its public database within a few days; you can also contact the case manager. MUFON assigns a Field Investigator and provides a case number you can follow. France's GEIPAN sends an acknowledgment within 7-15 days and assigns a case number. Investigation time ranges from a few weeks to several months depending on complexity. Findings (PAN A/B/C/D classification) are then published on geipan.fr (anonymized) and shared with the witness.

Why also submit to Vigi-Sky in addition to NUFORC, MUFON or GEIPAN?

The platforms are complementary. The official agencies provide formal recognition, long-term archiving and institutional credibility. Vigi-Sky offers real-time citizen correlation: automatic cross-referencing with other sightings within a defined geographic and temporal radius, integration of satellite passes (Starlink, ISS), weather and astronomical data (planet positions, ISS pass times). Filing to multiple platforms maximizes the chances of identification or validation.

What is the difference between a civilian and a military report?

Civilian reporting is open to anyone and is handled by NUFORC, MUFON, GEIPAN or volunteer associations, with publicly available testimony. Military reporting follows a classified chain of command: pilot → command → authority (Air Force, U.S. Navy, etc.). Military data (radar, FLIR, telemetry) is often qualitatively superior but access is restricted. Since 2020, the international trend (USA, France, United Kingdom) has been toward gradual declassification.

How to Report a UFO Sighting

Q: What information should I collect to report a sighting?

Always note: the full date, the exact time (to the minute), the precise location (address + GPS coordinates if possible), the total duration of the phenomenon, the number of witnesses, the direction of view (azimuth + elevation), the trajectory, the apparent speed and size (compared with the full Moon), colors, sounds, weather conditions, obstacles in the field of view, and the emotions felt. Temporal and geographic precision is critical for correlation.

Q: How do you photograph a UFO with a Nikon P900 or super-zoom camera?

The Nikon Coolpix P900 (83x zoom) and the P1000 (125x zoom) are go-to choices for citizen UFO photography at long range. Use manual mode: ISO 400-800, shutter speed of at least 1/250s, continuous autofocus (AF-C). Stabilize on a tripod. Enable GPS time-stamping. Shoot in 4K if you can. Above all, keep the original RAW files and DO NOT crop the original image. Preserve the EXIF data (date, time, GPS, camera model, focal length).

Q: How do you preserve photo and video evidence?

Golden rule: NEVER alter the original file. Immediately make several raw copies (cloud + external drive + USB stick). Keep EXIF metadata intact (it contains date, time, GPS, camera model — proof of authenticity). To share, make a COPY and work on the copy. Avoid edits that may undermine credibility. Videos must remain in their raw format (.MOV, .MP4 source).

Q: Can I report a UFO anonymously?

NUFORC and MUFON accept named reports as well as confidential reports: your name will not appear in publicly published summaries unless you request it. France's GEIPAN requires a real identity to process a case file (French regulations) but guarantees confidentiality. On Vigi-Sky, you can choose a public pseudonym while keeping an authenticated account for traceability. Fully anonymous reports are rarely credible: confidentiality is not the same as anonymity.

Q: How do pilots and military personnel report UAPs?

U.S. airline pilots can report through their carrier and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), or via the volunteer organization NARCAP (National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena). U.S. military pilots, since 2022, route reports through AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office), which has a dedicated portal and explicitly guarantees no career stigma. In France, civilian pilots use their carrier and the BEA (Bureau of Civil Aviation Investigations); military pilots go through their chain of command and the French Air and Space Force.

A practical step-by-step guide: where to file your report (NUFORC, MUFON, GEIPAN, Vigi-Sky), what information to collect, how to photograph cleanly, when to call law enforcement, anonymity, and case follow-up — everything you need to know in 2026.

TL;DR — Short Answer

In the U.S., file UFO sightings with NUFORC (nuforc.org) and/or MUFON (mufon.com); in France, with GEIPAN (CNES, geipan.fr). You can also report on citizen platforms like Vigi-Sky. Note the date, the exact time (to the minute), the location (GPS if possible), the duration, the number of witnesses, and capture photos and videos with EXIF preserved. The more precise and timely the report, the more valuable it is.

Vigi-Sky Team · May 3, 2026 · 11 min read · Official guide

Where do you report a UFO and why?

In the United States, two main organizations collect public UFO reports: NUFORC (the National UFO Reporting Center, founded in 1974) and MUFON (the Mutual UFO Network, founded in 1969). NUFORC has the largest open public database, with over 170,000 reports indexed and a 24/7 phone hotline. MUFON adds value through its network of trained Field Investigators, who follow up on the most credible reports in person.

In France, the GEIPAN (Group for Study and Information on Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena) is the official agency in charge of UFO/UAP reports. Attached to the CNES (the French national space agency) and based in Toulouse, it was created in 1977 under the name GEPAN, became SEPRA in 1988 and finally GEIPAN in 2005.

Their mission is threefold: collect testimony, analyze cases with a team of volunteer investigators (pilots, engineers, meteorologists, astronomers), and publish the findings on a public database. Each sighting in France is classified using a standardized nomenclature:

PAN A — identified: The phenomenon has been identified unambiguously (aircraft, satellite, planet, balloon...).
PAN B — probably identified: Identification is highly likely but with residual uncertainty.
PAN C — not identifiable: Insufficient information to draw a conclusion (testimony too vague, no images).
PAN D — totally unexplained: Robust cases, multi-witness or with material evidence, that remain without a conventional explanation after investigation.

What information should I collect to report a sighting?

The quality of a report depends almost entirely on the precision of the contextual data. Always note, as soon as possible (ideally within minutes of the sighting):

Sighting checklist

Full date (day/month/year)
Exact time to the minute (your phone's GPS clock = synchronized)
Precise location: address + GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude)
Duration of the phenomenon (from when to when, in seconds/minutes)
Number of witnesses and their contact details (with consent)
Direction of view: azimuth (compass) + elevation (degrees above horizon)
Trajectory: straight line, zigzag, arc, motionless, sudden acceleration
Apparent speed and apparent size (compared with the full Moon)
Colors, brightness, any flashing patterns
Sounds heard or complete silence
Weather conditions: clear sky, clouds, wind, humidity
Obstacles in the field of view (buildings, trees)
Emotions felt (fear, astonishment, curiosity)

How do you photograph a UFO with a Nikon P900 or super-zoom?

The Nikon Coolpix P900 (83x optical zoom) and its successor the P1000 (125x zoom) have become the go-to citizen tools for photographing UFOs at long range. Reaching the equivalent of 2000 mm focal length, they can capture details that are impossible to see with the naked eye — including the Moon's surface, Saturn's rings, and distant objects in the sky.

Recommended manual settings:

ISO: 400-800 (up to 1600 in very low light, beware of noise)
Shutter speed: 1/250s minimum to freeze a moving object
Aperture: the widest available (f/5.6 to f/6.5 at maximum zoom)
Autofocus: continuous AF-C, center point
Stabilization: tripod required beyond 800 mm equivalent
Format: RAW + JPEG (the raw file is essential)
Video: 4K UHD at 30 fps, audio enabled
GPS: enabled for automatic geographic time-stamping

P900 Section — Vigi-Sky

Vigi-Sky has a dedicated P900 section for pooling super-zoom citizen sightings. Tutorials, settings, and shared captures.

What should you do with multiple witnesses?

Sightings with multiple witnesses have far more investigative value than solo sightings. But beware: human memory is notoriously vulnerable to contamination through discussion. To preserve the value of a collective testimony, follow this protocol:

Before any discussion, ask each witness to write down or record their own version individually (phone, paper, voice memo).
Collect everyone's contact details (with explicit consent): first name, last name, phone, email.
Note the angle of observation for each witness (where they were standing, which way they were looking).
Only discuss the details AFTER each person has written their own version. Note any divergences: they are just as useful as convergences.
If possible, have each witness sign their own version for authentication.

How do you preserve photo and video evidence?

Absolute rule: NEVER alter the original file. Any retouching (cropping, contrast adjustments, Instagram filters) destroys the evidentiary value of the image and fuels suspicions of tampering.

Immediate backup: Three raw copies: 1) cloud (Google Drive, iCloud), 2) external drive, 3) USB stick or second device.
Preserving EXIF: EXIF metadata contains the date, UTC time, GPS, camera model, focal length and ISO. These are critical authenticity proofs. Never strip them (some social networks remove EXIF automatically on upload — hence the importance of keeping the raw copy).
Cryptographic hash: For important cases, compute a SHA-256 hash of the original file and write it down. This lets you prove later that the file has not been modified.
Work on copies: To share or improve readability, make a COPY and work on it. Always disclose any edits you make.

Can I report a UFO anonymously?

NUFORC and MUFON accept both named reports and confidential reports: your name will not appear in publicly published summaries unless you choose otherwise. France's GEIPAN requires a real identity to process a case file (French administrative procedure), but guarantees confidentiality: your name never appears in public reports, which are systematically anonymized.

On Vigi-Sky, the model is more flexible: you can choose a public pseudonym while still keeping an authenticated account for traceability. The distinction is critical:

Confidentiality = your identity is known to the agency (proof of good faith) but not to the public.
Anonymity = no one knows who you are. This makes the testimony far less credible and very difficult to investigate.

How do pilots and military personnel report UAPs?

In the United States, airline pilots can route reports through their carrier and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), or via NARCAP (National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena), an independent volunteer organization specialized in aviation safety.

In France, airline pilots file with their carrier (ATL — Aircraft Technical Log) and the BEA (Bureau of Civil Aviation Investigations). The BEA can forward the case to GEIPAN depending on its nature.

Military pilots in France go through their chain of command and the French Air and Space Force, which has a classified internal procedure and may or may not forward the case to GEIPAN.

In the United States, since July 2022, AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) at the Pentagon has centralized all military reports. A dedicated portal explicitly guarantees that pilots will not be stigmatized for filing — a major cultural shift after decades of professional ridicule.

Should you call law enforcement to report a UFO?

It can be helpful, especially after a striking sighting or one with multiple witnesses. In the United States, do not call 911 unless there is an immediate danger. For non-emergency reports, contact your local police department or sheriff's office during business hours; the call will typically be logged. Some departments will send a patrol car if multiple residents report at the same time.

In France, GEIPAN has had a formal agreement with the Gendarmerie Nationale since 1974: gendarmes collect testimony using a standardized UFO sighting form and forward the report to GEIPAN automatically.

Important

Do NOT call 911 (or 17 in France) unless there is an immediate danger. For a UFO report, contact the local non-emergency line during business hours (typically 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays).

How do you track the status of your case?

The follow-up process depends on the agency:

NUFORC: most reports are published on the public database within a few days. You can contact the duty case manager via the website.
MUFON: a Field Investigator is assigned, you receive a case number, and you can follow the progress through the member portal.
GEIPAN (France): acknowledgment within 7-15 days with a case number (e.g., 2026-0123). Investigation by volunteers takes 1-3 months (longer for complex cases). Conclusions (PAN A/B/C/D) are sent to the witness and published on geipan.fr (anonymized).

Why also submit to Vigi-Sky alongside the major agencies?

The platforms are complementary, not competing. Our recommendation: file with several outlets in parallel.

Official agencies (NUFORC, MUFON, GEIPAN) provide: Formal recognition, long-term archiving, institutional credibility, and forwarding to aviation/military authorities when relevant.
Vigi-Sky provides: Real-time citizen correlation: automatic cross-referencing with other sightings within a defined geographic and temporal radius, integration of satellite data (Starlink and ISS passes), weather, and astronomical data (planet positions, active meteor showers). You can see whether someone else witnessed the same phenomenon 30 miles away.

What is the difference between civilian and military reporting?

Civilian reporting (citizen, NUFORC, MUFON, GEIPAN, Vigi-Sky) is open to everyone, handled by public agencies or nonprofits, with publicly available testimony (anonymized). The data is mostly visual: photos, videos, descriptions.

Military reporting follows a classified chain of command: pilot → command → authority. Military data is qualitatively superior (primary and secondary radar, FLIR infrared, telemetry, ESM electromagnetic emissions) but access is restricted for reasons of national security and source protection.

Since 2020, the international trend (USA, France, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Chile) has been toward gradual declassification. The U.S. Navy videos (FLIR1, GIMBAL, GOFAST), declassified in April 2020, marked a turning point.