Subscribe to Our Newsletter
State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
California firearms dealers must obtain and maintain the following:
To apply to be put on the Centralized List of Firearms Dealers, complete and submit an Application for Centralized List of Firearms Dealers (BOF 4080) to DOJ. For more information on dealer licensing, please call (916) 210-2750.
(Pen. Code, §§ 26700, 26705, 26715, and 30395. Revenue and Taxation Code sections 236035 and 36036)
The Centralized List annual renewal application and fee must be submitted to DOJ by January 31st of each year regardless of the date of initial placement on the Centralized List. The Centralized List portion of the annual fee is $20.00 per licensee at each dealership. There is also an annual inspection fee of $95.00 per dealership location. Dealerships located in jurisdictions that have a local firearms dealer inspection program are exempt from the $95.00 inspection fee. Upon request, a list of such jurisdictions is available from DOJ.
(Pen. Code, § 26720)
The CFD number is a unique number assigned by DOJ to each fully licensed firearms dealer location in California pursuant to Penal Code section 26700. The CFD number serves as the dealer's identifier for submitting DROS information and for other business dealings with DOJ.
Yes. It is your ongoing responsibility to provide DOJ with current copies of all required licenses and copies of renewals within thirty days of a license expiration date. Any dealer who fails to provide copies of renewals will become inactive in the Centralized List and the DES.
Once listed on the Centralized List of Firearms Dealers, DOJ will forward you documentation on how to enroll and access the DROS Entry System (DES) using a computer, magnetic card swipe reader and printer. The dealer collects the DROS information and documentation from the purchaser and submits it to DOJ electronically via the DES. When the DROS is accepted, a unique DROS number is assigned to the transaction and the required 10-day waiting period begins.
(Pen. Code, § 28205)
Copies of the current DROS worksheet may be downloaded and printed from the DROS Entry System.
Within 60 days of submission, a DROS may be corrected or cancelled via the DROS Entry System (DES). To correct or cancel a DROS after 60 days, a DROS Cancellation/Correction for Firearms form (BOF 958) must be submitted to DOJ as instructed on the form. The BOF 958 can be downloaded via DES from the "forms" link.
Please note: Only one data field (e.g., make, serial #, and caliber) may be corrected. If more than one field requires a correction, the DROS must be canceled and a new DROS submitted. A DROS must also be cancelled if the firearm is not delivered within 30 days. All correspondence and documentation must be retained for three years for inspection purposes.
(Pen. Code, § 28220, subd. (e))
Clear evidence of identity and age is defined as a valid California driver license or a valid California identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Military identification is also acceptable if accompanied by permanent duty station orders indicating a posting in California, but the dealer must retain copies of both documents.
Temporary driver licenses and temporary identification cards are not accepted forms of proof of identity and age.
(Pen. Code, § 16400)
If DROS information conflicts with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver license files or if the license is suspended or invalid, DOJ will cancel the transaction and notify the firearms dealer. The purchaser should contact DMV to correct or update information in DMV's files. Once the DMV issue has been cleared, a new DROS may be initiated.
(Pen. Code, § 26815, subd. (c))
The waiting period for the purchase of a firearm is ten (10) 24-hour periods from the date and time the DROS is accepted by DOJ, and a unique DROS number is issued.
(Pen. Code, §§ 26815, 27540)
As with any exemption, the dealer must maintain the documentation with the DROS paperwork. The most common exemptions to the 10-day waiting period include:
(Pen. Code, §§ 26950, 26955, 26960, 26965, 26970, 27650, 27655, 27660, 27665, 27670)
The NTN for a seller will only be provided when the purchaser from a Private Party or a Peace Officer Non-Roster Handgun Private Party transaction has a status of "Undetermined," "Rejected," or "Denied" associated with the background of that particular DROS transaction. The dealer must contact the Customer Support Center at (855) 365-3767 for assistance to request the NTN number. The dealer will need to provide the associated transaction(s) DROS number and verify the purchaser’s first and last name. If the corresponding DROS transaction is cancelled, or past the 30 calendar day/24-hour delivery/return period, the associated seller NTN will no longer be valid. The firearm will need to be transferred back to the seller as a “Return to Owner” DROS transaction.
Each firearm sold by a firearms dealer must be accompanied by a child safety warning label. The DOJ has certified independent laboratories to test safety devices for compliance with the adopted standards. Any manufacturer of firearm safety devices who wants to have a particular device certified for sale in California must submit the device to a DOJ-certified testing laboratory. The DOJ-certified laboratory will test the device and forward the test results to DOJ. Subject to DOJ application and fee requirements, qualifying devices may be approved by DOJ for inclusion on the Roster of Firearm Safety Devices.
For more information, please see the frequently asked questions for Firearm Safety Devices.
(Pen. Code, § 23620, et seq.)
"Utility bill" means a statement of charges for providing service to the individual's residence by either a physical connection (i.e., hard wired Internet, telephone connection or cable connection, or a water or gas pipeline connection) or a telemetric connection (i.e., satellite television or radio broadcast service) to a non-mobile, fixed antenna reception device.
"Residential lease" means either of the following:
“Property deed" means either or the following:
Examples of acceptable proof of residency:
Examples of documents that are NOT acceptable proof of residency:
Note: Proof of residency must be valid at the time of delivery. (Pen. Code, § 26845, § 28160 and Cal. Code Reg., tit. 11, § 4045)
Peace officers, including reserve and retired peace officers, may present valid credentials issued by a California law enforcement agency in lieu of the other required residency documentation. This consideration is given to peace officers who do not want to provide documentation of their residential address for security reasons and who otherwise do not object to having their credentials copied by the firearms dealer for inclusion with the DROS record. Peace officers may have the dealer associate remove his/her residential address from the DROS transaction and include his/her agency address.
(Pen. Code, § 26845 and Cal. Code Reg., tit 11. Div 5. Ch 4., § 4045)
Prior to purchasing or acquiring a firearm, unless exempted, you must have a valid Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC). You must present your FSC to the firearms dealer at the time you begin a transaction to purchase or acquire a firearm and at delivery. The dealer must maintain the documentation with the DROS paperwork for the FSC or the exemption. For more information, please see the frequently asked questions for the FSC program.
(Pen. Code, §§ 26840, 31615)
No handgun may be sold, manufactured, etc., in California unless it has been safety tested by a DOJ-certified laboratory, found to have passed safety/reliability standards, and approved for sale by DOJ. Firearm manufacturers and importers, who wish to certify a handgun model for sale or manufacture within California must submit three copies of the handgun model directly to a DOJ-certified laboratory for testing.
Upon approval of the test report and payment of listing fees, the handgun is listed on the DOJ Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. The roster lists qualifying handguns according to: make/model/caliber/barrel length. A change in any one of the roster categories is considered a new model and requires a new certification.
Only handgun models listed on the roster may be manufactured, imported for sale, or sold in California. Private party and law enforcement transactions are exempt.
A listing of certified handgun models is currently available on this website at http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/.
(Pen. Code, §§ 32000 through 32015)
Yes. A person is generally limited to making no more than one application to purchase a handgun within any 30-day period. Handgun transactions related to law enforcement, private party transfers, returns to owners, and other specified circumstances are exempt from the one-handgun-per-30-day restriction.
(Pen. Code, § 27535)
The purchaser must sign the DROS printout. For private party transactions, the seller must also sign the printout. The salesperson is required to sign as a witness to the purchaser's signature and identification.
(Pen. Code, §§ 28160, 28165)
In addition to the state's $31.19. DROS fee, you must also charge a $1.00 Firearms Safety fee, and a $5.00 Safety and Enforcement fee. If the transaction being processed is a dealer sale, consignment return, or return from pawn, you may impose other charges as long as this amount is clearly shown as a "dealer fee" and not misrepresented as a state fee.
(Pen. Code, §§ 28233, 23690, 28300)
In addition to the state fees ($37.19), the dealer may charge up to $10.00 per firearm for conducting a Private Party Transfer or a Peace Officer Non-Roster Handgun Private Party Transfer.
(Pen. Code, § 28055)
The DROS printout signed by the purchaser and dealer must be retained for three years. Please contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) for information regarding federal documentation requirements.
(Pen. Code, § 28215, subd. (c))
Upon request, the dealer must provide the purchaser a copy of the signed DROS printout. In private party transactions, the seller is also entitled to a copy of the DROS record upon request.
(Pen. Code, § 28215, subd. (e))
If DOJ determines that a purchaser is ineligible to possess a firearm, the dealer will be notified not to deliver the firearm electronically via the DROS Entry System, via telephone, and a letter via U.S. Mail.
The same process is used to notify dealers when a DROS has been placed on delay.
(Pen. Code, § 28220)
Yes. If a purchaser does not take physical possession of the firearm within 30 days of submission of the DROS information, the dealer must cancel the DROS via the DROS Entry System. If the purchaser still wants the firearm, the dealer must submit a new DROS including fees.
(Pen. Code, § 26835)
The 30-day delivery restriction begins upon notification from DOJ that the delay has been lifted and that the dealer is authorized to deliver the firearm within 30-days of the notification date. The firearms dealer must retain all notifications and correspondence.
Yes. If DOJ denies a firearm transaction, the firearms dealer is required to provide the prohibited individual with a General Notice of Firearm Prohibition and Power of Attorney for Firearms Relinquishment, Sale, or Transfer for Storage (BOF 110). The BOF 110 form allows a person who is prohibited to designate another person to relinquish, sell or dispose of the firearm(s) on his or her behalf.
(Pen. Code, § 26815)
If a firearm is brought to you for service or repair, you may return it to the person who submitted it for repair without undergoing the DROS process. If the firearm (or a serialized part) must be replaced, a new DROS is required.
(Pen. Code, § 28100, subd. (b)(10))
An employee COE is issued to employees of a licensed California firearms dealer or ammunition vendor found to be eligible to possess firearms and/or ammunition. A person who has a current COE may be associated and disassociated with a licensed firearms dealer or ammunition vendor by accessing their account at https://cfars.doj.ca.gov or by submitting either an Employee Certificate of Eligibility Report of Employment form (BOF 117) or an Employee Certificate of Eligibility Termination of Employment form (BOF 118). to the DOJ.
(Pen. Code, §§ 26915, 30347.)
An employee COE is issued to employees of a licensed California firearms dealer or ammunition vendor found to be eligible to possess firearms and/or ammunition. A person who has a current COE may be associated and disassociated with a licensed firearms dealer or ammunition vendor by accessing their account at https://cfars.doj.ca.gov or by submitting either an Employee Certificate of Eligibility Report of Employment form (BOF 117) or an Employee Certificate of Eligibility Termination of Employment form (BOF 118). to the DOJ.
(Pen. Code, §§ 26915, 30347.)
Yes, commencing January 1, 2018, a firearm dealer shall require any agent or employee who handles, sells, delivers, or has under his or her custody or control any firearms or ammunition to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Justice.
(Pen. Code, §§ 26915, 30347)
California law does not address the issue of who is responsible for COE fees.
To close a dealership, you must submit written notification to:
By Email: CL-AVL@doj.ca.gov
And include the following information:
All completed DROS forms must be retained for three (3) years from the date of sale. Dealers who are also Certified Instructors and have issued Firearms Safety Certificates (FSC)'s must retain FSC documentation for five (5) years. Once the retention period has been met, all documentation can be destroyed.
Contact the BATFE regarding federal requirements for closing a firearms business and documentation requirements per federal law.
(Pen. Code, §§ 28215, subd. (c)(2), 31655. Cal. Code Reg., tit. 11, § 4253, subd. (j).)
A Large-Capacity Magazine Permit allows licensed California firearms dealers to import and export large capacity magazines (ammunition feeding device that have the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds) from/to an out-of-state source.
Permits are issued, upon request, to licensed firearms dealerships that have a marketplace for the sale, import, or export of large capacity ammunition feeding devices. To apply for a DOJ Large-Capacity Magazine permit, complete and submit a Large-Capacity Magazine Permit Application (BOF 050) to DOJ.
(Pen. Code, §§ 16740, 32315 and 32430)
As a dealer processing destruction of a firearm(s), you must show proof of the destroyed firearm(s) with pictures before and after the destruction of the firearm(s) with the serial number visible. Submit the firearm(s) photos with a copy of the Acquisition and Disposition (A&D) book displaying the entry on the destroyed firearm to appsunitdoj@doj.ca.gov. If the firearm(s) is destroyed on behalf of the firearm owner, the firearm owner need to submit a No Longer In Possession (BOF 4546) form to DOJ.
Other ways to destroy the firearm(s) are:
The DES is a web-based application that can be used with most common web browsers. You will need the following equipment:
You will need the following software:
The reports generated by the DES will be in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), which will require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view, save, or print a report. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be obtained from Adobe's website.
Yes, you will need internet service to access a web browser that will then enable you to use DES.
Yes, DES will work with other browsers. However, some web browsers are not fully compatible with specific web applications. The DOJ is aware of potential compatibility issues with DES and Internet Explorer 8. Therefore, the DOJ recommends the following up-to-date browsers:
Please note: System requirements vary for each Internet web browser, please refer to the web browser system requirements to determine compatibility with your computer. Other browsers might work with DES; however, we can not guarantee that features will work as expected. Also, if your web browser blocks pop-up windows, then DES must be added to the list of sites from which pop-ups are allowed; also known as "Exceptions."
You may obtain a magnetic stripe card reader from retail outlets or through online websites. The DES is designed to work with most magnetic stripe card readers that meet California Department of Motor Vehicle specifications (based on AAMVA standards – card design 2009) which read 3-tracks, magnetic stripe data, and 2D barcode data. Please note: the DOJ is not liable for any issues related to the purchase and/or operation of magnetic stripe card readers.
You can download a copy of the DES Firearms Dealership and Ammo Vendor User Guide from the Bureau of Firearms page under Forms and Publications.
You will need the following information:
You will need the following information:
You must submit a DROS transaction through DES. Once the DROS has been submitted successfully, the system will automatically generate a DROS number and a completed copy of the DROS (with the DROS number) will display on your computer screen.
Yes, you may initiate a DROS at a gun show using a paper DROS worksheet. The worksheet can be found on the DES main page under "Forms." Upon return to your business location, you must enter the DROS information in DES.
Note: The 10-day waiting period (10, 24-hour periods) does not begin until you submit the DROS to DOJ via DES and receive a DROS number.
Additionally, prior to the delivery of the firearm, you must swipe the purchaser's DMV issued driver's license/identification card through your magnetic stripe card reader. Then, print out and attach the information to the copy of the DROS that is retained in your dealership records. Following this process complies with the requirement as long as the information on the purchaser's DMV printout matches the same information recorded on the DROS.
Detailed instructions for this process are as follows:
If your computer has the Windows operating system, click on the Windows "Start" menu (or "Window" icon) located in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. From this menu, choose "Programs" then select "Accessories" then select "WordPad" (or "Notepad"). Next, swipe the purchaser's CA Driver's License/Identification card through the reader and the information will automatically transfer to the WordPad screen on your computer. Finally, to print the information, choose "File" from within the WordPad program application and select "Print" and then click "OK" (or "Print").
Penal Code section 28180, subdivision (b)(2) specifically authorizes dealers to obtain a photocopy of the purchaser's CA Driver's License/Identification card in the event the card cannot be swiped through the reader due to technical limitations. However, there are no statutory/legal exemptions from this requirement for transactions that occur at gun shows.
If your magnetic card swipe reader malfunctions, or if the CA Driver's License/Identification card's magnetic stripe is defective, you may manually enter the information using your keyboard. However, you must retain a photocopy of the purchaser's CA Driver's License/Identification card along with the original DROS.
The Peace Officer Non-Roster Private Party Handgun Transfer should be used when transferring a non-roster handgun that was purchased by a sworn member who is exempt pursuant to Penal Code section 32000 (b)(4), (b)(6), or (b)(7) to another sworn member who is exempt under these same provisions
(Pen. Code, § 32000)
Yes, dealers may acquire non-roster handguns, but may only re-sell the non-roster handgun to an exempted purchaser.
(Pen. Code, § 32000)
Yes. Effective December 1, 2021, the DES was enhanced to allow a dealer to enter the purchaser’s and seller’s unsafe handgun exemptions.
(Pen. Code, § 32000(c)(1), (e))
It is recommended that copies of the exemption for the purchaser and seller be maintained by the dealer.
No. The BOF 1009 form does not need to be submitted to the Department of Justice. It may be used as a tool to assist with the processing of transferring non-roster handguns between exempted purchasers described in Penal Code sections 32000 (b)(4), (b)(6), and (b)(7).
No. Peace officers must submit the Peace Officer Assault Weapon Registration form (BOF 023p) to the Department of Justice with verifiable written authorization from the head of their employing agency.
(Pen. Code, §§ 30625, 30630)
No. The sale or transfer of ownership of a firearm that is self-assembled or self-manufactured is prohibited.
(Pen. Code, § 29180)