New concealed weapons permitting applications delayed amid coronavirus closures
The Florida Department of of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing regional is delaying concealed weapons license application during the statewide COVID-19 crisis.
The move comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis recommended state offices temporarily close to the public from March 19 through April 19.
That means regional office personnel will not be available to fingerprint concealed weapons permit applicants, which is required to issue licenses.
Local law enforcement agencies and tax collector offices throughout the state have also begun to suspend fingerprint services. Halting those services makes first-time concealed weapons permit applicants unable to obtain fingerprints from those providers.
Only fingerprints submitted through an official law enforcement agency, a tax collector’s office or the Division of Licensing are valid for concealed weapons permits.
In order to prevent unnecessary financial burden or frustration to applicants, the state is delaying applications beginning Monday, March 23.
Existing concealed weapons permit holders with licenses set to expire will be automatically extended for 30-days pursuant to an elective order issued by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
Qualifying security officers can still submit renewal applications online or through the mail and will not be affected.
Application Processing
Mail-inEach participant will receive a complete application packet.
Each packet contains:
- application
- fingerprint card
- concealed weapon license reference brochure
- copy of state statute 790 weapons and firearms
- copy of state statute 776 justifiable use of force
- envelope for mailing your application
Fill out the application, (must be notarized), include a passport style photograph, a completed fingerprint card done by a law enforcement agency, a copy of the certificate you will receive for completing our firearm training course. (keep the original).
Be sure to include a check or money order for $117.00 payable to the Division of Licensing to cover the cost of processing your application.
Attention!
We will notarize your application for free!
Average time to process your application by mail-in option is approximately six (6) weeks.
* The maximum return time on CWL licenses is ninety (90) days
In person electronic submission
You can go to a regional Division of Licensing office and have your application electronically processed.
All you need to bring is a copy of your certificate for completing our firearm training course (keep the original) and a government issued picture I.D. such as a drivers license.
Palm Beach County Office
400 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 240
West Palm Beach Florida 33401
Phone : (561) 681-2530 Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm M-F
Miami-Dade County Office
7743 NW 48th Street, Suite 100
Doral, Florida 33166
Phone: (305) 639-3501 Hours:8:00am-4:30pm
Attention!
An appointment is required for electronic processing
Average time to process your application by electronic submission is approximately 10-12 business days.
Fingerprinting must be done by a law enforcement agency or by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Division of Licensing per Florida statute 790.06 section 5, paragraph C. The two closest regional offices of the Division of Licensing are listed above. Click here for a complete list of statewide locations.You can also submit your fingerprints electronically at the Broward Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Building located at 2601 West Broward Boulevard Fort Lauderdale 33311. They will give you a receipt which you include with your mail-in application. Fingerprinting at BSO is on Thursdays and requires an appointment. There is no charge for this service. Call BSO at 954-321-4400 for additional information. Most Florida sheriff offices offer livescan fingerprinting. Call the agency nearest you for additional information.Click here for a list of other Broward County law enforcement agencies. If you do not see your local law enforcement agency listed call them as most agencies offer hard copy fingerprinting.
Electronic submission can expedite the processing procedure
The state must mail your hard copy fingerprint card to the FBI for a background check and in turn the FBI mails back the results. Livescan fingerprints are forwarded via electronic mailing thus reducing the time for sending and returning the results.
