How to Apply for or Renew a Florida CCW Permit

Winter Haven Florida Shooting

Trying to find out how to apply for your Florida concealed weapons license? Or did you get a letter in the mail saying your permit was about to expire? In this article I will go over the ways to apply for your Florida CCW permit for the first time, or renew if yours is about to expire.

How Much Does a Florida CCW Permit Cost?

The right to defend your life isn’t free. Here is a breakdown of the cost:

Essentially the cost is the same for first time CCW applicants. You only need to get fingerprinted a single time if you are a Florida resident, but out of state residents must get new fingerprints every time they renew their concealed weapons permit which adds an additional $42 to the $45 renewal fee for a total $87 for each renewal.

What you will need:

  1. A driver license or other form of state issued photo ID
  2. A copy of the certificate of training you completed and confirming firearm proficiency.
  3. Money. Bring a way to pay the fees detailed above but remember that the FDACS Regional Offices do not accept cash, so make sure to bring an alternative form of payment.
  4. Any documentation with the details of name changes (marriage, divorce, etc).
  5. Certified copies of the court documentation reflecting the final disposition of the charge(s) filed against you if you have ever been arrested.
  6. If born outside the U.S. bring the appropriate documentation showing your citizenship status. If unsure whether or not you are eligible to receive your Florida CCW permit, check the eligibility info located here.
  7. Active duty law enforcement, correctional or probation officers with a Florida law enforcement agency will need to provide evidence of employment. If you are one of these and retired, have a copy of an official document that includes your date of retirement and the agency from which you retired. But note that this does not apply to Federal, or out of state law enforcement retirees.

Renewal

Florida concealed weapons permits are good for 7 years. Around 95 days prior to the expiration of your permit, FDACS will send you a notification form complete with a renewal application and instructions for filling it out.

If you fill out the application and return it before you license expires there are no fees beyond the $45 renewal fee. However, if you wait until after your license expires, you must pay an additional $15 late fee.

Don’t wait too long though. If you want to renew your Florida CCW permit after it’s been expired for 6 months or more, you must complete the entire process like it was your first time. This means you will need to get fingerprinted again and pay the $42 fee associated with that.

Online

Submitting your application online is generally the most popular way to get a CCW permit. All required fees already discussed apply to this method of application so have all that on hand when you are ready to begin.

To submit online, you will first need to gather the following:

  1. Your CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION from a firearms training class or other document that evidences your competency with a firearm. Your training must include live fire using a firearm and ammunition.
  2. A digital, passport-style photo taken within the last 30 days.
  3. Your photo and all documents should be uploaded to your computer prior to starting this online application.
  4. A credit card, debit card, or electronic check for payment. All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

When you are ready, click the green button located here to begin your application.

By Mail

If you would prefer to submit your application by mail you may do so by first downloading and following the Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License Application Instructions and filling out the application. Your application will be given a unique tracking number at this point.

After you have finished this part you will then need to make an appointment for fingerprinting at your local Sheriff’s office or police department.

Then mail your completed application with all the required documentation to:

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Licensing
P.O. Box 6687
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6687

All the fees are the same as well as the processing time it takes to approve your application.

In Person

To submit your application in person, you need to make an appointment at one of the 9 regional offices of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). You can find the closest one to your area by following this link.

After clicking on the correct regional office, click the tab for Concealed Weapon License then pick the date and time when you want your appointment scheduled.

You are also able to take your application to an authorized Florida Tax Collectors office near you, but you may pay an additional $22 for a “convenience fee.”

Make sure you take with you all required forms and documents needed to complete the appointment.

When you arrive at the Regional office, ask to use a computer station where you will complete the online application form. When you are finished, a staff member will review your application then take you for fingerprinting and a picture for your permit.

Then you will be asked to, “swear and affirm that you have been furnished with a copy of Chapter 790, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and that you are knowledgeable of its provisions.” Chapter 709 is about the laws surrounding the legal carrying of a concealed weapon and it’s recommended that you read these prior to your appointment so you know exactly what it is you are swearing to.

 

It should take around an hour from start to finish to finish your application and then FDACS is required to send you your confirmation or denial within 90 days, providing there are no other delays and the application has been satisfactorily completed.

You can check on the status of your permit by going here. You will need your tracking number which begins with the letter T and is followed by 9 numbers.

Now for the disclaimer: I am not currently, nor do I intend to become a lawyer. Seek out your own expert opinion in the law. If you have information that can clarify or reform the article, please feel free to leave a comment below so it can be addressed.

Visit Concealedccarry.com for everything you need relating to CCW.

39 Comments

  1. John W.Day on January 8, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    I am renewing my carry permit from Maryland, but the fingerprinting isn’t done at police stations any longer, it is done at Absolute Investigative Fingerprinting and Security Services though out the state. Is this satisfactory for my renewal? Thank you.

    • Mitch C on March 7, 2020 at 11:35 am

      I believe FL requires a law enforcement agency to do printing.

    • Sanje Harrell on July 20, 2021 at 1:19 pm

      To clarify, if I’m a veteran and have my DD214, do I need the training for a permit??

      • Jim D on March 3, 2023 at 2:07 pm

        No. You will need to have a certified copy of your DD214 when applying. They also expedite processin for veterans.

  2. Christina on February 25, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    I have a concealed weapons permit, however I was arrested. However I was faulsly charged and they dropped all charges and they told me I could get my card back. They said it was their fault and it never should of happened. $5000 later and embarrassed beyond measures and mad as I finally got it taken care of. Now I do not know how to go about getting g my card back. I should of done this a long time ago but life has been crazy and just never got around to it. However I need to figure it out. What do I need to do? Please can someone help me?? I dont even know my lisence number. Thank you in advance.

  3. Wayne Weaver on March 26, 2020 at 5:22 pm

    I lost my wallet, which had my CWP card in it. How do I get a replacement?

  4. Ryan on March 30, 2020 at 9:25 am

    I moved from a different city still in Florida, my cow is about to expire in 45 days And never received a renewal letter to my new address. How do I renew ? Thank you

  5. PL on June 7, 2020 at 7:57 am

    I am a Florida Resident and NEVER got my renewal form. Trying to re new on line is horrible without it. Thank you COVID.
    I have my CC license card but I do not have a renewal number to final the form on line.
    NOW what!? Call Tallahassee? Jesus will make a second coming before that happens.

    • Richard on January 11, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      Did you ever figure this out? I am in the same boat and can’t get a hold of anyone.

  6. Samuel Tyler on July 7, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    Can you renew from Georgia if your original came from Florida? It’s suppose to renew in August but I’ve not received any paperwork to fill out.

  7. Damon on July 16, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    I realized my permit expired 2 days ago. Our address changed and we didn’t receive our renewal information. I don’t have the tracking number needed in order to renew online. Do you have any idea how I could possibly renew online to avoid going to any offices to complete the renewal?
    Thanks!

  8. Veronica Harden-Franklin on July 22, 2020 at 9:18 pm

    How can I obtain an application to be mailed or downloaded to me?

  9. Veronica D Aaron on November 9, 2020 at 8:19 pm

    What if my license expired but I didn’t get my renewal application

  10. JENNIFER STREIBICK on November 20, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    I am an RN and have fingerprints on file in the State of Florida already. Do I need to get fingerprinted again?

    • steve on January 8, 2024 at 4:00 pm

      yes

  11. Cledith Coleman on November 25, 2020 at 1:56 pm

    I applied for my renewal on 11/15/20 my wife applied for hers same day a she received hers back yesterday. What is going on with mine.

  12. Thomas Daniel on December 3, 2020 at 5:35 am

    I am in South Carolina taking care of my aging mother and did not receive my renewal for my concealed permit for Florida. How do I renew it without this?

  13. Debra on December 20, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    I applied for a new conceal & carry in Florida September 10th!! With my father on the same day in Fort Myers Florida, He received his card a month ago & I keep checking & mine says it hasn’t started to be processed yet. You can’t get through to Tallahassee at all. They just hang up on you bc no one is available. I’ve tried their online chat & they tell me they have received my application & it could take up to 6 months by Florida law. Has anyone else heard of this 6 months? Sad to say I’m almost at 6 months w no communication

  14. Betty Barreto on February 12, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    I moved from a different city still in Florida, my Firearm has expired past the 45 days. I never received a renewal letter to my new address. How do I renew? My fingerprints have been sent to Tallahassee Florida. Please advise Thank you

  15. Arlene Jacques Hennessey on February 23, 2021 at 11:22 am

    I have a carry permit and have changed my address from Delray Beach Fl to Melbourne Fla,
    How and who do I notify of this change

    • Melanie on June 24, 2021 at 10:08 am

      I faxed a notarized letter over to the Florida tax collectors office, with my new address.

    • Kenneth Kennedy on December 20, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      Call your local agriculture department and make an a that’s what I did I was on hold for over 30 minutes but I got through and got an appointment.

  16. Cayla on April 17, 2021 at 2:20 am

    I 21 one year old I never have gun license but I have my D security license so will be hard to get my gun license even If I move to different state can I keep the Florida license

    • Marcus Hosea on May 24, 2021 at 6:06 pm

      You can apply for a ccw which will only be good for the state of Fla. Once you cross state lines you are no longer able to carry concealed unless you are licensed for that specific state. Now you already have a “D” license correct? If so if you want to 1 save money and 2 kill two birds with one stone then i would look at getting your “G” license which is armed security guard. With that you are automatically eligble to submit your CCW application along with your “G” application once you complete the 28hr course and you will get both licenses. so you wont have to pay for a separate CCW class you just have to pay the licensing fee. If you have any questions i wolud have no problem helping you get all the required info. But remember if you leave the state of fla you no longer are allowed to carry concealed. You can have your firearm with you but you have to follow whatever states laws that you are in.

      • David on November 7, 2022 at 12:57 pm

        Marcus; The licenses you are talking about are for security guards.
        The Florida CCW license is good for a majority of States with some minor conditions or categories. When you cross the Sate lines you are subject to other provision within that State, but as a Florida license holder you are only allowed to carry a firearm and no other weapons….

        Thanks: David

      • Irvin Flores on May 17, 2023 at 11:07 am

        What about reciprocity for some states?

  17. Michael on June 3, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    I’ve just moved from TX to FL and I currently have a TX CCL. What is the process for getting a FL CCL?

  18. Jake on October 15, 2021 at 7:54 am

    That’s not true you can carry concealed as long as the state you are traveling to honors the Florida concealed carry permit. You can even look on Florida’s website and it gives you a list of states in which you can conceal with your Florida concealed license.

  19. Duane Allen Cantler on November 9, 2021 at 1:24 pm

    I never got my renewal packet, and you cannot get through by phone for 10 straight days now. I was supposed to receive the renewal packet last month in october 2021 , and now i will have to pay a late fee. Not fair.

    • Kenneth Kennedy on December 20, 2021 at 3:15 pm

      ICan you still carry a weapon with a expired concealed weapon permit in Florida

  20. Kenneth Kennedy on December 20, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Can you still carry a weapon with a expired concealed weapon permit in Florida

  21. Garrett on January 23, 2022 at 8:00 pm

    Do you need to do fingerprinting John to renew your Florida CCW permit from another state again or is fingerprinting only done once with the initial application?

  22. Thomas on April 13, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    Waited on hold for 40 minutes today to ask a simple question (if new photos are required for renewals). But it just stayed on hold. Finally, it offered to call me back– which I accepted. But they never did call. If Nikki really plans on running for Governor, I shiver to think she’ll bring the same quality of service to our state that she has brought to the Dept. of Ag.

  23. adrian shuman sr. on June 14, 2022 at 11:25 am

    i wan’t to renew my license today

  24. Cindy on June 15, 2022 at 8:30 am

    I never received the renewal notice in the mail, how do I proceed?

    • Darin on November 19, 2022 at 11:00 am

      You can go onto the website an utilize the “Live Chat” feature to obtain the, I think it’s called the “Tracking Number” that comes with your renewal notice. They will find your number for you that you can use along with your CWP number to renew via their website. I just did it and they are very helpful.

  25. David on November 7, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    If you relocated to an new address, You must update your address on MyFlorida Concealed Weapons License webpage so that when your renewal time comes the notice will be sent to your new address.. You will not be sent a new license if you change your address until its expiration. In the mean time you will be able to carry until your renewal if and only if you updated your new address in the system. This will be reflected in the system so that if the FDLE run your information you won’t be arrested or fined…

    Hope this helps everyone….

  26. Edward on December 6, 2022 at 1:46 am

    During COVID, I never received my renewal form. I couldn’t reach the office by phone. Time slipped away. Now it’s been too long. Do I need a new training certificate if it is already on file? New fingerprints?

  27. Loren Lea Polkinghorne on April 9, 2023 at 9:07 am

    I lost my CWP and I have moved and need to change my address and I also got married and need to change my name. My CWP is under my maiden Name Loren Lea Polkinghorne.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply