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If your firearm and/or shotgun certificate is due to expire and you wish to continue to hold firearms/shotguns, you must apply to renew your certificate before the expiry date.
Renewal is not guaranteed. All applications are assessed in line with current Government guidance and Force policy, which has changed in recent years and now applies stricter criteria.
What do I need to do to renew my certificate?
To renew your certificate you must:
1. Obtain your GP report (see below)
2. Apply online using our secure renewal application form
3. Upload your supporting documents (including the GP report) where required
4. Submit your renewal in good time before expiry
Apply to renew online:
ONLINE RENEWAL APPLICATION FORM
GP Report requirement (important)
Since November 2021, a GP report is required for all applications, including renewals.
Before completing your online renewal application, you must either:
• have your GP report ready to upload with your online application, or
• have confirmation that the report has been completed by your GP (or designated private company) and returned directly to the Firearms Licensing Administration Unit.
If we do not have a GP report, your application will be rejected as incomplete.
You are responsible for arranging your GP report and ensuring it has been submitted in time. We strongly advise that the GP report pro-forma is presented to your supplier for completion as soon as possible.
GP report pro-forma:
GP PROFORMA
When should I apply?
We recommend applying as early as possible.
This office issues renewal reminders approximately 16 weeks prior to expiry.
If your renewal application is received a minimum of 8 weeks prior to expiry, an 8-week extension will automatically be applied to your certificate (where applicable). This means you can keep possession and use of your guns if we have not completed your renewal prior to the original expiry date.
If you do not apply more than 8 weeks in advance and we cannot complete your renewal prior to expiry, you will need to arrange to lodge your guns to avoid being in illegal possession.
What happens if my certificate expires?
If your certificate expires and you are still in possession of your guns(s) you will be committing an offence under the Firearms Act 1968 Section (1). This may affect any future certificate application that you may wish to make.
It is your responsibility to ensure you remain in lawful possession of any firearms, shotguns and ammunition at all times.
What if I do not want to renew?
If you do not intend to renew your certificate you must ensure that you have disposed of all your guns and/or ammunition before it expires.
You must notify this office, within 7 days of disposal, to avoid being in illegal possession of firearms.
You can notify us using our online form:
Online Gun Transfer / Disposal Notification Form:
GUN TRANSFER FORM
Renewal applications – online
To speed up and assist with the application process we encourage everyone to complete the application online.
If you feel you are unable to apply online, we encourage applicants to get assistance in completing the online application as this is the most efficient way to process an application.
Apply to renew online:
ONLINE RENEWAL APPLICATION FORM
Further details can be found on our FAQ page:
FAQ PAGE