To get a replacement gun license after a loss, theft, or damage, contact the agency that issued your permit, file a police report if the license was stolen, and submit a duplicate application with a government-issued photo ID, any required affidavit, and a fee that in most states runs between $5 and $25. If the license is still within its valid dates, you usually will not need new fingerprints or a new background check. Processing typically takes one to four weeks.
Report the Loss or Theft First
If your license was stolen, or you think it might have been, call your local law enforcement agency before you do anything else. File a report and keep the incident number. Many states require that number on the replacement application, and even where it is optional, the report protects you if someone tries to misuse your license.
Several states also require you to notify the agency that issued the permit, separately from any police report. Deadlines vary widely. Some states give you as little as 24 hours, others up to a week. Missing the window can bring fines or, in some jurisdictions, misdemeanor charges. Check your state’s rule the day you discover the license is gone, not later.
One more obligation is easy to overlook. More than a dozen states require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within a set timeframe, with deadlines ranging from immediate reporting to seven days. That is a separate duty from reporting a lost license, and the penalties for ignoring it can be more serious. If your firearm and your license were taken together, you may need to file two reports.
Replacement or Renewal: Which One Applies
A replacement, sometimes called a duplicate, is for a license that is still valid but physically unavailable because it was lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. A renewal is for a license that has expired or is about to. These are different processes with different forms and different fees.
If your license expired while it was missing, you will almost certainly need to go through renewal rather than request a duplicate. Renewals cost more and may require updated fingerprints or a fresh background check. If the license is still within its valid dates, the duplicate route is simpler, because the issuing agency already has your information on file. Some states do require a sworn affidavit or notarized statement describing how the license was lost or damaged, so check the agency’s website before assuming you can skip that step.
What to Gather Before You Apply
Specific paperwork varies by state, but most replacement applications ask for the same core items:
- A current, unexpired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID card.
- Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease, especially if your address has changed since the original license was issued.
- A police report or incident number if the license was lost or stolen. Some states accept a self-sworn affidavit instead.
- Your original license number, if you have it. This speeds up processing. Old photos, photocopies, or email confirmations from your first application are worth digging up.
- Name-change documentation, such as a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree, if you are also updating your name.
Some states require the affidavit to be notarized, particularly for a lost or stolen license rather than a damaged one. Many issuing offices offer notary services on site, but call first to confirm.
How to Submit and What It Costs
Most states offer at least two ways to file, and a growing number handle the whole process online.
- Online portals are the fastest option where available. You log into the same system used for your original application, choose the duplicate option, upload documents, and pay electronically. Some states let you report the loss and request the replacement in a single online session.
- Mail is still accepted in most states. Send the completed application, supporting documents, and payment, usually a check or money order, to the issuing agency. Use a trackable shipping method.
- In-person submissions are available in some states at sheriff’s offices, county clerks, regional licensing offices, or authorized tax collector locations. Going in person is useful if you need notarization or have questions about the application.
Replacement fees are modest compared with original application costs. Most states charge between $5 and $25 for a duplicate. That fee usually covers only the card itself. If your situation also calls for updated fingerprints, a new photo, or a background check, expect to pay more.
Can You Carry While You Wait?
This is where people get into trouble, and the answer depends entirely on your state.
Some states explicitly allow you to keep carrying during the processing period as long as your permit has not expired and you can verify your status if stopped by law enforcement. Others require the physical card on your person whenever you carry, which means that if the card is gone, you cannot legally carry until the replacement arrives, even though your permit is still active in the system. A handful of states issue a temporary receipt or confirmation that stands in for the card while you wait.
If you cannot get a clear answer from your issuing agency, do not carry until the replacement arrives. A few weeks of inconvenience is far cheaper than a charge for carrying without valid documentation.
How Long It Takes
Processing a duplicate is generally faster than processing an original application, because the agency already has your background check and prints on file. Most states turn around replacements within one to four weeks, though peak periods or additional review can stretch that.
Many agencies send a confirmation email or a tracking number when they receive your application, letting you check status online. The card is usually mailed to the address on file, so confirm that address is current before you submit, or update it as part of the request. Some states issue the replacement with a new license number for security reasons, which matters if other records reference the old one.
If the estimated window passes with no card in hand, follow up with the agency directly. Replacement applications sometimes stall on something as small as a missing signature or an unreadable document scan.
Do You Even Need a Replacement?
Twenty-nine states now allow some form of permitless concealed carry, meaning residents who meet the age and eligibility requirements can carry a handgun without a license. If you live in one of those states and only used the permit to carry at home, you may not need to replace it just to keep carrying legally.
There are still reasons to keep an active permit. Reciprocity with other states that honor out-of-state licenses usually depends on you holding a valid one from your home state. Many states also waive the point-of-sale background check at licensed dealers for current permit holders, which speeds up firearm purchases. If either matters to you, the replacement is worth the effort.
Making the Next Loss Less Painful
Once the new card arrives, spend a few minutes making a future loss easier to handle. Photograph both sides and store the images somewhere secure, such as a password-protected folder, an encrypted cloud drive, or a home safe. Write the license number down separately. Some states are starting to offer digital or electronic versions of carry permits; if yours does, setting that up gives you a backup that cannot be physically lost.