Firearm, shotgun and explosives certificates

How do I apply?

You can apply online.

You'll need to have read the guidance notes before making your application.

How much does it cost?

It costs £90.

How long does it take?

It can take up to 16 weeks to grant a new certificate.

This is dependent on a home visit and our team having the information they need in your application to process it.

You'll need the following to complete your application:

Your contact details, including:

• email address
• phone number
• work contact details (if not unemployed or retired)
• previous addresses if you haven’t lived at your current address for more than five years 

Health and medical information:

• details of any relevant conditions you have which need to be disclosed (you’ll find a list of those in the guidance notes)
• your GP or practice address, postcode and phone number
• previous GP or practice information if you haven’t been registered with your current GP or practice for ten years or more
• if, during the last ten years, there have been times when you haven’t been registered with a GP or practice in the UK, we’ll need to know about this and will ask why this was and if there is any information you can give us about this, for example if you’re in the armed services and were posted abroad
• your completed GP proforma - you'll need to download this and have your GP fill it in. Then re-upload it as part of your online application

Details about any offences or written cautions (including speeding but not parking offences or fixed penalty notices):

• details of the offence, including the date (month and year)

 

Details about the firearm(s), shotgun(s) and ammunition you own and intend to acquire:

• calibre, type and reason for having the firearm(s)
• calibre and quantity of ammunition
• security arrangements - how and where the firearm(s) and shotgun(s) will be stored, whether the arrangements are shared (and, if they are, the details of who they are shared with)

The details of two referees you've known for more than two years, including:

• their date and place of birth
• their occupation
• contact details

Please note: referees can't be a member of your family, a serving police officer or staff, or a registered firearms dealer.

Photo:

• one passport-style photo which is no larger than 1MB in size and is a .jpg/.jpeg

Payment:

• credit or debit card details to make your online payment

Please note: if you feel you can't make a digital payment because you have a characteristic protected by the Equality Act 2010, please tell us using our contact us form before making your application and we'll assess your requirements on an individual basis.

Overseas applicants:

• if you're not a UK national you'll need to supply a criminal record check from your country of origin with your application. You'll need to pay for this. Find out how to get a criminal record check. We'll contact you to discuss this as part of your application.

Application steps:

Step 1: Complete the online version of the form.

Step 2: Upload your GP proforma and your photo as part of the online application.

Step 3: Make your payment online.

Step 4: Email a copy of your existing certificate; including Table 2, to the firearms team

The form will take about 20 minutes to complete and you won't be able to save your application as you go, so it will need to be done in one sitting. 

Click the 'Start' button below to start your online application.

What happens after I apply?

We'll get in touch as quickly as possible if we have any questions about your application or need to ask for more information.

 

Start