How to apply for a firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate

How do I apply?

You can apply online or by post.

Whichever one you choose you will need to have read the guidance notes before making your application. 

How much does it cost?

It costs £79.50.

Please note: If you apply online your payment will also be an online payment, we can't accept cheques with an online application. 
 

How long does it take?

It can take up to 20 weeks to grant a new certificate. 

This is dependent on the application being complete. If the Firearms Licensing Team have to contact you to follow up on anything then your application could take longer to process.

You'll need the following to complete your application (either by post or online)

Your 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 
• a completed occupants list of who lives at your current address

Health and medical information:

• details of any relevant conditions you have which need to be disclosed (you’ll find a list of those in the guidance notes)
• your GP or practice address, postcode and phone number
• previous GP or practice information if you haven’t been registered with your current GP or practice for ten years or more
• if, during the last ten years, 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 GP form - you'll need to download this and have your GP fill it in. Then send it to us with your application.

Details about any offences or written cautions (including speeding but not parking offences or fixed penalty notices):

• details of the offence, including the date (month and year)

You can find out about your conviction history by making a Subject Access Request to ACRO.

Details about the shotgun(s) and ammunition you intend to acquire:

• security arrangements - how and where the shotgun(s) will be stored, whether the arrangements are shared (and, if they are, the details of who they are shared with)

The details of one referee you've known for more than two years, including:

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

Please note: referees can't be a member of your family, a serving police officer or staff, or a registered firearms dealer.

Photo:

• one passport-style photo which is no larger than 1MB in size and is a .jpg/.jpeg

Payment:

• credit or debit card details to make your online payment

Please note: It’s an offence under section 28A(7) of the Firearms Act to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement for the purpose of procuring the grant or renewal of a certificate, the maximum penalty for which is six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine.

Apply online

Step 1: Complete the online version of the form.

Step 2: Upload your photo with your application.

Step 3: Make your payment online.

Step 4: Email your completed GP form and occupants list to the firearms team.

The form will take about 20 minutes to complete and you won't be able to save your application as you go, so it will need to be done in one sitting. 

Click the 'Start' button below to start your online application.

Apply by post 

Step 1: Download the firearm certificate application form (Form 201), occupants list and GP form

Step 2: Print, complete and sign the forms.

Step 3: Attach one passport-style photo (45mm high x 35mm wide).

Step 4: Make out a cheque for £79.50 payable to GMCA GMP.

We can’t accept cash.

Step 5: Post your completed form 201, occupants list and GP form with your cheque or postal order to:

Greater Manchester Police
Box 06
Nexus House
Ashton-Under-Lyne
OL7 0QP

What happens after I apply?

We'll get in touch within two weeks if we have any questions about your application or need to ask for more information.