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General Information
You must apply with, and attest under oath, that the jurisdiction to which you are applying is the primary location in California where you intend to travel or spend time. Please review the information on this page and on the issuing agency website for full instructions on what you will need to apply for a CCW.
Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the firearm is to be used.
In California, the Sheriff and his staff are required to follow strict state and local guidelines when performing the necessary background checks for issuing Concealed Carry Weapon licenses. Due to the detailed nature involved with conducting these background checks, appointment times and processing times can take multiple weeks. During the application process, the applicant will be asked to schedule an interview appointment for a new Concealed Carry Weapon license.
A CCW renewal course must be satisfactorily completed every two years in conjunction with the renewal of your CCW license. To remain in compliance with our guidelines, training certificates are valid for 90 days, and your renewal training may be completed at any time within the 90 days prior to the expiration of your current permit. To prevent a lapse in your CCW permit, it is strongly recommended that you submit your renewal application 90 days before your current permit expires. You may access our list of approved CCW training providers on our Sheriff's Office website.
Pricing
- The total cost for a New Concealed Carry Weapon Standard license is $809.00 . An applicant will pay an initial non-refundable fee, and if approved, be asked to pay an additional approval fee prior to receiving their Concealed Carry Weapon license.
- A Standard Renewal of a Concealed Carry Weapon license costs $187.00 plus Dept. of Justice fee $52.00 totaling to $239.00 .
- Any Modification (e.g. residence or firearm change) to a Concealed Carry Weapon license costs $122.00.
- For credit card transactions a nominal credit card transaction fee will be charged for each transaction. Charges will be viewable prior to transaction completion.
- Appointments for Concealed Carry Weapon licenses will be processed on Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Click the appropriate button on the left of the screen to proceed with an application for a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
Please visit the below website for further information regarding a Concealed Carry Weapon License in Sonoma County:
Gaining competency with firearms is like learning to drive a car or fly an airplane. You need expert instruction and practice. There is no shortcut. If you are not willing to invest the time and effort to become competent, then having a firearm and trying to use it can, in many instances, be more hazardous than any impending threat.
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Concealed Carry Weapon License Requirements: must meet ALL requirements
Authority
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a Sheriff of a county or the Chief or other head of municipal police department of any city, or city and county, shall issue or renew a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (Concealed Carry Weapon license).
Who Shall be Issued a License
The licensing authority specified in Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 shall issue a license to persons who are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202, meet residential requirements, and have completed a course of training. All applicants for a Concealed Carry Weapon license will be fingerprinted and state and federal records will be checked to determine if they are eligible to possess firearms. Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
Completing the Application
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county shall issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to prescribe a statewide standard application form for a CCW license. Answering all the questions on the Application does not guarantee the issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. The determination whether to issue the license is at the discretion of the licensing authority. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority will have a written policy summarizing their requirements for issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. In addition, prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:
- The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
- The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400;
- The applicant is a resident of that city or city and county. Prima facie evidence of residency within the county or a city within the county includes, but is not limited to, the address where the applicant is registered to vote, the applicant’s filing of a homeowner’s property tax exemption, and other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the county or a city within the county is more than temporary or transient. The presumption of residency in the county or city within the county may be rebutted by satisfactory evidence that the applicant’s primary residence is in another county or city within the county;
- The course of training prescribed by the licensing authority has been completed.
- The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.
Non-California Resident Applicants
Prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:
- The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
- Attest, under oath, the intention that they intend to spend time within the subsequent 12 months in the California jurisdiction to which they are applying;
- The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400;
- In connection with Penal Code section 26150, subdivision (a)(2) or section 26155, subdivision (a)(2), a Nonresident Applicant may present a valid driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Nonresident Applicant’s state of residence, in lieu of a valid California driver’s license or identification card. If the Nonresident Applicant’s driver’s license or identification card does not set forth the applicant’s current address, the applicant can—consistent with the policy for state resident applicants—submit other reliable documentation, including current utility bills, current out‐of‐state CCW license with a correct address, or other reasonable indicia of ongoing residency matching the address provided on the application;
- The course of training prescribed by the licensing authority has been completed.
- The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.
Character References
You will need to provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references. One of the three must be a person described in Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (b) (your spouse, or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child), if applicable. At least one of the three must be your cohabitant if applicable.
Training Required
If applying for a NEW Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be a minimum of 16 hours.
If applying for a RENEWAL Concealed Carry Weapon license, a 8 hour course approved by the County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance.
If applying for a MODIFICATION to your current Concealed Carry Weapon license that includes a firearm change, you will need to submit training certifications from a traning vendor approved by the County Sheriff’s Office.
Prior to Filling Out This Application
- Be prepared to scan a copy of your valid California driver’s license, or state issued ID, which has your current address in Sonoma County.
- The firearm also cannot be registered as a “single shot.”
For More Information, Contact:
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
Address:
2796 Ventura Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Telephone: (707) 565-8995
Fax: (707) 565-2414
Email: Sheriff-CCW@sonoma-county.org
For Technical Support, Contact:
Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com