The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office provides several firearms services as required
by State and Federal law. These services include Pistol Purchase Permits, Concealed
Handgun Permits, and the disposal of unwanted firearms.
If you know of someone who is illegally in possession of a firearm, or someone that
is a convicted felon who carries a firearm, please contact us.
If you have unwanted firearms, you may obtain a court order to have the the Sheriff's
Office dispose of these firearms for you.
Information
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
8:30 am – 11:30 am
Fees
Pistol Purchase Permit
Concealed Handgun Permit
- New Application - $95.00 (includes notary fee and fingerprinting fee)
- Renewal Application - $80.00 (includes notary fee)
- Duplicate - $15.00
Method of Payment
Cash, Debit or Credit Cards are accepted
*Processing fees are included on the
Debit/Credit Card transactions.
Application Requirements for Pistol Permits
- Pistol Purchase Permit applicants may apply online or in person.
- Must be able to properly complete application process.
- Must be 21 years of age for retail purchase.
- Must be at least 18 years of age for private transfers.
- Must provide current/valid identification in the form of a State issued Driver’s
License or State issued Identification Card.
- Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal residency if born outside the United
States.
- Must be a resident of Forsyth County for a minimum of 30 days.
- Must be of good moral character.
- Must pass criminal history background check.
- Must be eligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of State
and Federal Law. See N.C. Firearm Laws.
Processing Information for Pistol Permits
Please know that due to recent circumstances across our nation, the demand for firearms
has substantially increased. This increased demand has affected all Sheriff's Offices
in North Carolina. We now have a backlog of applications to process due to this
significant increase in volume. Applications are processed in order in which they
are received. You will promptly be notified upon approval of your application. The
Sheriff's Office would like to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation
as we all deal with this situation.
Pistol Permit applications are processed in the order as they are received. The
Sheriff's Office is experiencing a large increase in applications, causing extended
process wait times. Letters of denial are sent via email to the email address provided
at the time of application. If no email address is provided, a letter will be sent
to the address provided on the application. Any individual receiving a denial notification
may appeal the denial to the Chief District Court Judge.
Applicant must provide proper identification when permit is picked up.
Applicants will be notified via email when permit(s) are ready for pick up. Letters
of denial are sent via email to the email address provided at the time of application.
If no email address is provided, a letter will be sent to the address provided on
the application. Any individual receiving a denial notification may appeal the denial
to the Chief District Court Judge.
General Information for Pistol Permits
- Handgun permits are for the purpose of making a purchase, and does not entitle the
applicant to carry a concealed weapon.
- Once the permit is approved, it will be valid for a period of 5 years.
- Handgun Permits are not renewable or replaceable if lost or stolen.
- For further assistance or questions, email us at permits@fcso.us.
Application Requirements for Concealed Weapons Permit
- Concealed Weapons Permit applicants must apply in person.
- Must be able to properly complete application process.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
- Must provide current/valid identification.
- Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal residency if born outside the United
States.
- Must be a resident of Forsyth County for a minimum of 30 days.
- Must provide a list of previous addresses for the past 20 years.
- Must pass criminal history background check.
- Must be eligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of State
and Federal Law. See N.C. Firearm Laws.
General Information for Concealed Carry Weapons Permit
- Permit applications are taken under oath and notarized. False or fictitious information
provided during the application process may cause the applicant to be criminally
charged.
- Permit is valid for a period of 5 years.
- Renewal of existing permit can be submitted up to 90 days before the expiration
date. Failure to renew an existing permit prior to the expiration date may result
in requiring a new firearms safety certificate.
- If a permit is lost or stolen, the applicant must immediately notify the Permits
Unit in person and sign an affidavit. A duplicate card will be initiated at the
fee listed above.
- When a change of address occurs, applicant must notify the Permits Unit in person
within thirty days. There is no fee incurred for this process, unless the individual
requests a duplicate permit. If a duplicate permit is not obtained, the Change of
Address Form must be kept with existing permit at all times.
- Fingerprints are submitted to the SBI and FBI for criminal background checks, rejection
of fingerprints may result in the denial of an application.
- There is no fingerprint requirement on renewals if prints were submitted electronically
via AFIS machine after June 30, 2001.
- State Law now allows individuals who possess a Carry Concealed Weapon Permit to
make handgun purchases without a gun permit (but it is also at the dealer's discretion
to require a purchase permit).
- For further assistance or questions, contact our office at permits@fcso.us