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
GP Report requirement (This is really important please do this ASAP)
The first thing you need to do is obtain your GP Report, We do not accept applications without a completed GP Report. Please print off and submit a GP Report Proforma to your GP or other private supplier as soon as you can but please not more than 6 months prior to expiry. You will be able to apply 16 weeks prior.
Since November 2021, a GP report is required for all applications, including renewals. You are responsible for arranging your GP report and ensuring it has been submitted in time.
If not using your GP for this report please contact your preferred shooting organisation for information of other private companies that can supply the report.
GP report pro-forma: GP PROFORMA
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
Supporting Documents you will need prior to Appling
GP Report: This needs to be a single file preferably PDF containing all pages of the report max file size 4MB.
Photo: This needs to be a passport-style photo which is no larger than 1MB in size and is a .jpg/.jpeg
Referees
Two referees are now required for all firearm and shotgun applications. You will need the folowing information to complete the application.
Title
Full name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Full address
Contact details
Occupation of the referee
In what capacity do you know them
How long have you known them
They will also need to be made aware of their responsibilities, please make them aware of this form on our website or print it off and present to them
When should I apply?
We recommend applying as early as possible.
This office issues a GP report prompt approximately 6 months prior and renewal reminders approximately 16 weeks prior to expiry. You can not apply more than 16 weeks in advance of 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: GUN TRANSFER FORM
I No Longer Have a Certificate.
If you have previously disposed of your guns and informed us, unless you also returned your certificate for cancellation at the same time you still have a live certificate and that will be why we have contacted you. If you no longer wish to have a certificate and you no longer have the guns and have previously informed us of their disposal to an RFD or other holder or surrender than you do not need to do anymore. If our record do not reflect this you will receive further contact from us prior to expiry asking for information about the whereabouts of the guns.
Further Information and Help
Our main Firearms Licensing Website Firearms Licensing - Devon and Cornwall Police Firearms contains all the information you need including a FAQ PAGE