The FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) is the international governing body that regulates and homologates space and aviation world records. The FAI’s International Parachuting Commission determines the criteria required to set an official FAI World Record involving parachuting and skydiving.  In the case of the category for the Largest Freefall Formation, the rules have changed many times since 1973.  At times, the burden of proof was upon the beholder; at others, only verified by film; for many years, the formation was required to be 'held' in position for varying specific numbers of seconds. 

Currently, all skydivers who exit the aircraft intending to be in the record formation must not only be in the formation with pre-designated 'grips' on their neighbors, but must also be in their pre-designated positions in the formation, as declared before taking off in the aircraft.   Video and film are the unforgiving proof, and all positions, grips, and the pre-defined formation are verified by no less than three credentialed FAI Judges. 

The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes space and aviation World Records as official if they have been homologated by FAI.