Firearm, shotgun and explosives certificates

How do I apply?

You can apply online or by post.

You'll 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 six months to grant a new certificate.

You'll need the following to complete your application

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
  
  

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 proforma - you'll need to download this and have your GP fill it in. Then send it to us with your application or re-upload it as part of your online 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)
  
  

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
  
  

Overseas applicants:

• if you're not a UK national you'll need to supply a criminal record check from your country of origin with your application. You'll need to pay for this. Find out how to get a criminal record check. Once you have it, email it to the firearms team after you've submitted your application.
  
  

Apply online

Step 1: Complete the online version of the form.

Step 2: Upload your GP proforma and your photo as part of the online application.

Step 3: Make your payment online.

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 application form (Form 201) and the GP proforma.

Step 2: Print and complete the forms.

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

Step 4: Make out a cheque or postal order for £79.50 payable to Northants PCC. We can't accept cash.

Step 5: Post your completed form and cheque or postal order to:

Firearms Licensing Unit
Police Headquarters
Wootton Hall
Northampton
NN4 0JQ

Please note: Our offices are on a secure site that's not open to the public. Reception staff will only accept post delivered by the Royal Mail. We can't accept items delivered personally or by courier.

What happens after I apply?

We'll get in touch as quickly as possible if we have any questions about your application or need to ask for more information.

Start