What you need to apply

You’ll need to provide a passport-style photo of yourself.

Your photo must:

  • show your true likeness
  • show your full face without a head covering (unless for religious or medical reasons)
  • have a plain cream or grey background (without objects or people in the background)

You must:

  • look straight at the camera
  • have a neutral expression with your eyes open and mouth closed
  • not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
  • not have 'red eye'

A digital photo must be used for online applications.

Your digital photo must:

  • be in .jpg or .jpeg format
  • be no larger than 1MB file size

We'll ask you for details of two referees.

You'll need to provide their

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

Before you apply, you need to:

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 

For information on how we handle data, read our application Firearms form 201 - Guidance notes

You'll need to provide the following information:

  • details of any relevant conditions you need to disclose (you’ll find a list of those in Firearms form 201 - Guidance notes)
  • your GP name, practice address, postcode, email and phone number
  • any previous GP or practice information (within the last 10 years)
  • if 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 Forearms form 201 - GP proforma - you'll need to download this and have your GP fill it in. Then submit it as part of your application. If submitting online, it should be in PDF or .jpeg/jpg format

If you're applying for a firearms certificate, we'll ask you for:

  • calibre
  • type
  • good reason for having
  • calibre and quantity of ammunition
  • how and where the firearm(s) will be stored

Please note - For a grant applications you must supply at application the details above for the firearms you intend to hold. You must supply good reason for all firearms you are intending to hold.  Your application may be rejected if all the above details you not supplied at application stage.

We'll ask you for details of any:

  • convictions
  • written cautions
  • out of court disposals
  • bindovers
  • reprimands
  • fixed penalty notices (including speeding, but not including parking offences)

We'll ask for the date (month and year).

For more information, read the application Firearms form 201 - Guidance notes

We'll ask you for details of anyone who could have access to where you'll store your firearm or shotgun. For example, housemates or relatives.

You'll need to provide their:

  • name
  • previous names
  • date of birth
  • place of birth
  • relationship to you

We'll ask you for the details of any private land or registered club where you'll be using your firearm.

Private land

You'll need to provide:

  • landowner contact details
  • description of the land, including size
  • reason you wish to shoot on the land
  • information on whether the land has been authorised by the police

Shooting club

You'll need to provide:

  • the club name
  • details of the nominated officer
  • Home Office approval number
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