Georgia Weapons Carry License
General Information
Weapons Carry Licenses are issued in the Vital Records Division of the Probate Court, which is in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center located at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. The office is located on the courtside wing (left side of the building when you are facing the front entrance from the outside) on the first floor and is the first office on the right past the elevators. Forms and space for writing are located outside of the office.
Applying for a Weapons Carry License and a Renewal License
What is required and what documents do I need when I apply for a Weapons Carry License?
To apply for a Weapons Carry License, you must be 21 years of age or older, unless you are age 18 or older and provide proof that you have completed basic training in the armed forces of the United States and can provide proof that you are actively serving in the armed forces of the United States or have been honorably discharged from such service, and you must be a legal resident of Gwinnett County. To prove you are a resident of Gwinnett County, you must present a valid Georgia Driver's License or State issued I.D. with your Gwinnett County address. If your Gwinnett County address is not on your Driver's License or I.D. card, you may present alternate proof of your Gwinnett County address by providing documents such as a utility bill, lease, or closing documents, if buying a home. In order to qualify for a Georgia Weapons Carry License, you must also:
- Be a citizen of the United States; or,
- Be a Resident Alien and provide a valid Georgia Driver's License or State issued picture I.D. card, a valid Resident Alien card, and a Georgia Hunting License (which can be obtained by logging onto www.georgiawildlife.com) ; or,
- Be a Permanent Resident and provide a valid Georgia Driver's License or Georgia State issued picture I.D. card, a Permanent Resident Card; or,
- Employment authorization with a valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia State issued picture I.D. and a Georgia Hunting License (which can be obtained by logging onto www.georgiawildlife.com).
What is acceptable proof of my completion of basic training, active service or an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces?
Proof of completion of basic training and being on active duty in the U.S. armed forces would be presentation of a Military ID card (also known as a United States Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card or Geneva Conventions Identification Card) with the notation “Active Duty”; or
Military orders that identify specific dates of being on active duty; or
A letter from the active duty service member’s Commanding Officer or JAG (Judge Advocate General) office, stating that he was currently on active duty, serving in Georgia, with an honorable character of service.
Proof of an honorable discharge would be presentation of a form DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), identifying the veteran's completion of basic training and honorable character of service at discharge.
Will the Probate Court take my application?
Yes. To apply, complete the weapons carry license application form, see the link below or get the paperwork outside of the probate court office, and present it to a clerk in the vital records division of the probate court. You will be required to take an oath, offer a specimen signature and have your picture made. You must then have your fingerprints captured and submit to a criminal history report based upon your fingerprints and your name.
What are the requirements for getting my fingerprints?
After completing the application process in the Vital Records division of the Probate Court, you will be fingerprinted. The law requires that you must be fingerprinted within five (5) business days of the date your application is filed. If you are not fingerprinted within five (5) business days, your application will be administratively dismissed and you will be required to reapply and pay full filing fees.
How much does it cost to apply for a Weapons Carry License?
The total cost of a Weapons Carry License is $73.25 payable to the Gwinnett County Probate Court by cash, personal check made (no starter checks, third party checks, or business checks are accepted), or credit card (the court accepts Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards). A processing fee of 2.5% is charged separately per card transaction. There are no refunds for these fees.
If you are a retired law enforcement officer who had arresting powers and who worked ten (10) of the twelve (12) years prior to your retirement, the Weapons Carry License fees are waived. Proof of retirement and a completed affidavit (link below) are required upon application.
What if I lose my Weapons Carry License?
If your Weapons Carry License is lost, damaged, or stolen, you are required by law to notify the Gwinnett County Probate within 48 hours to receive a duplicate. The fee for a duplicate is $6.00.
Renewal Application for a Weapons Carry License
What is required and what documents do I need when I renew my Weapons Carry License?
To renew a Weapons Carry License in this court, you must be 21 years of age or older, unless you are age 18 or older and provide proof that you have completed basic training in the armed forces of the United States and can provide proof that you are actively serving in the armed forces of the United States or have been honorably discharged from such service, and you must be a legal resident of Gwinnett County. To prove you are a resident of Gwinnett County, you must present a valid Georgia Driver's License or State issued I.D. with your Gwinnett County address. If your Gwinnett County address is not on your Driver's License or I.D. card, you may present alternate proof of your Gwinnett County address by providing documents such as a utility bill, lease, or closing documents, if buying a home. In order to qualify for a Georgia Weapons Carry License, you must also:
- Be a citizen of the United States; or,
- Be a Resident Alien and provide a valid Georgia Driver's License or State issued picture I.D. card, a valid Resident Alien card, and a Georgia Hunting License (which can be obtained by logging onto www.georgiawildlife.com); or,
- Be a Permanent Resident and provide a valid Georgia Driver's License or Georgia State issued picture I.D. card, a Permanent Resident Card; or,
- Employment authorization with a valid Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia State issued picture I.D. and a Georgia Hunting License (which can be obtained by logging onto www.georgiawildlife.com).
Will the probate court take my application?
To renew, complete the weapons carry license application form, see the link below or get the paperwork outside of the probate court office. A criminal history report based upon your name will be requested from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
What is considered to be a renewal application?
A renewal applicant is one who can provide proof that they have a valid weapons carry license, issued by any county in the State of Georgia, and they are reapplying within 90 days or less until their weapons carry license expires or not more than 30 days after their weapons carry license expired. Proof of such a valid license includes producing the original weapons carry license for the clerk or providing an original letter from the probate court in Georgia that issued the weapons carry license that indicates the weapons carry license is valid and the letter is not more than 10 days old.
How much does it cost to apply for a renewal Weapons Carry License?
The total cost of a renewal Weapons Carry License is $30.00 payable to the Gwinnett County Probate Court by cash, personal check (no starter checks, third party checks, or business checks are accepted), or credit card (the court accepts Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards). A processing fee of 2.5% is charged separately per card transaction.
If you are a retired law enforcement officer who had arresting powers and who worked ten (10) of the twelve (12) years prior to your retirement, the Weapons Carry License fees are waived. Proof of retirement and a completed affidavit (link below) are required upon application.
Can the Court issue a “Temporary Renewal License”?
Yes. Any person who holds a weapons carry license under this Code section may, at the time he or she applies for a renewal of the license, also apply for a temporary renewal license if less than 90 days remain before expiration of the license he or she then holds or if the previous license has expired within the last 30 days. A $1.00 fee shall be charged by the probate court for issuance of a temporary renewal license.
What if I lose my Weapons Carry License?
If your Weapons Carry License is lost, damaged, or stolen, you must notify the Gwinnett County Probate within 48 hours to receive a duplicate. The fee for a duplicate is $6.00.
Weapons Carry License Application Form
