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State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
Pursuant to California Penal Code section 30105, an individual may request that the Department of Justice perform a firearms eligibility check on that individual. Authorized state records shall be examined to determine if the individual is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.
You must submit a completed PFEC application, pdf, a copy of your California Driver’s License or Identification Card, and fees in the amount of $20. The application must be signed and notarized, and include an impression of your right thumbprint. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you must also submit a copy of your Alien Registration or I-94 Card.
The fee for the PFEC is $20, payable to the Department of Justice by check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Many websites provide area searches for notaries public. Notaries public can also be found in the yellow pages of your local telephone directory.
The results will be sent via U.S. Mail. The Department of Justice makes every effort to process requests for PFECs within 60 days of receipt.
The Department of Justice will review the relevant California state databases it is authorized to check.
Any person who has been convicted of a felony, certain misdemeanors, certain firearms offenses, who is addicted to narcotics, who is the subject of a domestic violence restraining order, or has been committed to a mental institution pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 8100, may not possess or have under his or her control any firearm. See Prohibiting Categories, pdf. Certain federal statutes impose lifetime and other more restrictive prohibitions on firearm possession. Additionally, certain statutory conditions exist that allow for the possession of firearms but preclude the acquisition or purchase of additional firearms, such as the subjects of certain restraining orders and those under state or federal indictment.
No. The Personal Firearms Eligibility Check Notification will indicate you are either: 1) eligible to possess and purchase firearms as of the date the check was completed; 2) eligible to possess firearms as of the date the check was completed, but ineligible to purchase firearms, as of the date the check was completed; 3) ineligible to possess and purchase firearms as of the date the check was completed; or 4) ineligible as your firearms eligibility determination could not be confirmed as of the date the check was completed, possibly due to an open arrest charge without a disposition.
Your status would change to ineligible to possess if you become lawfully prohibited from possessing firearms. See Prohibiting Categories, pdf.
Certain statutory conditions exist that allow for the possession of firearms but preclude the acquisition or purchase of additional firearms, such as persons who are subjects of certain restraining orders and those under state or federal indictment. Therefore, persons falling into this category may retain possession of firearms they currently own, but may not apply to purchase additional firearms. Additionally, because a valid California Driver’s License or Identification Card is required to purchase a firearm, someone with a suspended or expired driver’s license is not prohibited from possessing firearms but is unable to purchase a firearm without a valid driver’s license or identification card.
Yes. If you are found to be eligible to possess but ineligible to purchase firearms, you may keep the firearms you currently own, but cannot purchase additional firearms as of the date of the check.
No. If you are found to be ineligible to either possess or purchase firearms as a result of the PFEC, you must relinquish any firearms you may have in your possession to a law enforcement agency or designate a power of attorney to take control and possession of them for you. Furthermore, firearms may not stay in the constructive possession of a prohibited person (e.g. you may not transfer possession to a person sharing the same household). The Power of Attorney, pdf form can be downloaded from this website.
No. California law prohibits the transfer of registered assault weapons between 2 parties. You may either sell the assault weapon to a licensed firearms dealer who holds an assault weapon permit, or relinquish the assault weapon to your local law enforcement agency. Be sure to contact the agency prior to delivering the weapon.
Non-U.S. citizens that are in the country legally can have a PFEC conducted. You must include your Alien Registration or I-94 number on the PFEC application, and include a copy of your Alien Registration or I-94 card with your application package. A valid Alien Registration or I-94 card is required at the time of purchase of any firearm. Non-U.S. citizen applicants must also meet certain federal requirements to purchase a firearm, unrelated to the firearms eligibility background check.
No. Another background check and the 10-day waiting period will apply.
A temporary or invalid driver’s license is acceptable for the purposes of conducting a PFEC. However, a valid California Driver’s License or Identification Card is required at the time of purchase of any firearm.
Penal Code section 12077.5(g) prohibits persons or agencies from requesting or requiring another person to have a PFEC conducted. However, effective January 1, 2004, California Licensed Firearms dealers are authorized to require their employees to possess a Certificate of Eligibility as evidence that the employee is not prohibited from possessing firearms. For more information on Certificates of Eligibility please refer to the dealer FAQs.
Incomplete application submissions will be returned to the applicant allowing the applicant to resubmit a complete package for processing.
Applicants lacking the ability to complete the application may have assistance with the completion of the application. The application must be signed by the applicant. The notary public will certify the applicant is who is stated on the application.