Firearm and Shotgun Grant applications
Please use our secure web form to submit your application.
As your Grant progresses along the application stage we will contact you to arrange a visit / inspection.
We are unable to give a timescale, however we aim to contact you as soon as you reach the appropriate stage.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Fee Increases
Firearms licensing applications received by the police on or after 5 February 2025 will incur the new fees. If an application and related payment has been received by the police on or before 4 February 2025, the police will honour the fee that has been paid. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has advised that most forces accept renewals up to four months before expiry date. Devon and Cornwall Police will be adhering to this 16 week / 4 month timescale.
Circular 001/2025: Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025 - GOV.UK
Please DO NOT apply for a Grant or Renewal of a Firearm or Shotgun certificate if you do not either have your GP Report in hand or have confirmation from your GP that the form has been completed and submitted directly to the Firearms Licensing Unit. Please ensure your report covers at least the last 10 years, all boxes are completed, it has been stamped by the surgery and is signed. Your Application will be rejected if we do not have a complete, signed and stamped GP Report.
Following the publication of changes to the Home Office Statutory Guidance in Nov 2021 for the granting and renewal of certificates, applicants are now required, at their own expense, to obtain a GP report as part of this new application process.
Please allow plenty of time to obtain your GP report, your application will not be accepted without a completed GP report. Please ensure you submit your renewal application a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the expiry date of your certificate. This will ensure an automatic 8 week extension is granted to your original expiry date in case we are unable to complete your application prior to the original expiry date.
Please note: When the medical information is being provided to the police by a doctor from a private company, the doctor must receive the applicant’s medical information direct from the GP practice and not via the applicant.
The application will only be accepted upon receipt of both the application and GP report.
The Firearms Licensing Department will be in contact with you as soon as we start to process your application. Before we contact you, unless absolutely necessary please do not make further enquiries with us about your application as this administration may cause further delays.
Firearm and Shotgun Renewal applications
Please use our secure web form to submit your application. Please ensure you submit your renewal application a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the expiry date of your certificate to ensure that you comply with legal requirements and remain in lawful possession of your guns and ammunition.
Please DO NOT apply for a Grant or Renewal of a Firearm or Shotgun certificate if you do not either have your GP Report in hand or have confirmation from your GP that the form has been completed and submitted directly to the Firearms Licensing Unit. Please ensure your report covers at least the last 10 years, all boxes are completed, it has been stamped by the surgery and is signed. Your Application will be rejected if we do not have a complete, signed and stamped GP Report.
Transfer of Shotguns and Firearms
If you have transferred, sold or purchased any shotguns or firearms, please complete our online form. The attached form is for Devon & Cornwall licence holders only. Failure to notify of such changes may result in prosecution. Please note that this forms one of the conditions on firearm and shotgun certificates.
Change of address for existing certificate holders
If you have just moved or know the impending date of your house move you will need to notify the Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit without undue delay. The attached form is for Dorset, Devon & Cornwall licence holders only. Failure to notify of such changes may result in prosecution. Please note that this forms one of the conditions on firearm and shotgun certificates.
Please make sure that full details of the address change are given to prevent any follow-up call.
Application for a Variation to a Firearm certificate
Application for a Variation to a Firearm certificate
Please download, print and complete the below form, you will need to enclose your current firearm certificate with the completed form. Currently variations can only be completed via postal applications. At question 13 enter all the firearms you wish to acquire including any unused variations from a previous request. Unused authorities are not automatically carried forward unless you request this.
If you are applying to increase the number of firearms you hold (including sound moderators) the fee is £47.00. A card payment can be made and the Firearms Licensing department will contact you directly for payment when dealing with your application.
UK Visitors permits
This form should be used to apply for a shotgun and/or firearm visitor permit. A sponsor on behalf of the visitor should complete the application. The sponsor does not need to be a certificate holder. The completed application form should be forwarded to the police force area under which the sponsor resides. A fee is payable, for more details please see our FAQ section around Travelling with a gun.
If the visitor is resident in an EU country, their original (a photocopy is acceptable) European Firearms Pass will be needed with the application form. If the visitor is resident in a country which is not registered as part of the EU, another form of supporting documentation will be required such as a firearm certificate or hunting certificate. As a last option a letter from the visitor’s local police authority will be required stating that the police are happy for the visitor to use firearms/shotguns whilst in this country.
Section 11(6) Authority – clay pigeon exemption
Use this form if you are organising a clay pigeon shooting event where non-certificate holders may be participating. The attached form is for your convenience only and is not an official form.
Replacement Firearm / Shotgun certificate
If you have lost or had stolen your firearm or shotgun certificate you will need to apply for a replacement (fee payable). The attached form is for your convenience only and is not an official form.
We will contact you for payment on receipt of the form. Please do not send cash.
Privacy Notice
Devon and Cornwall Police handle personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 – for more detail please see the Privacy Notice on our website or this can be sent to you on request. Link - Privacy Notice
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