Conceal Carry

As of December 1, 1995, certain residents of North Carolina may be eligible to obtain a permit which would allow them to carry a concealed handgun under certain conditions. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.11 No other weapons may be carried concealed pursuant to such permit. The following information will be needed to complete the Concealed Carry Permit Application Process:

  • Original Firearms Safety Training Course Certificate
  • $90.00 cash or certified check or money order
  • Valid North Carolina Drivers License or Identification Card with current address
  • Copy of DD214 (military discharge papers)
  • Copy of Birth Certificate
  • Name, address and phone number of family physician
  • Name, address, phone number of closest relative outside of household
  • Copy of United States Passport or Citizenship papers if born outside of the United States

You must have an appointment to submit your Concealed Carry Permit Application. Please call for an appointment. Please allow up to 1 hour to complete paperwork.

Once your application is received the process may take up to 90 days. If your application is approved you will be notified by phone when your permit is ready for pickup.

To set up an appointment call: (336) 641-6356 or (336) 641-3449.

Click here - North Carolina Firearms Laws

Concealed Weapon Permits

Do not sign the application upon completion. All applications must be signed in front of Sheriff's Office personnel.

New Applications (Complete all Four Forms)

  • Address Attachment
  • Application for Concealed Handgun Permit
  • Employment Information for Concealed Weapon Permit
  • Mental Health Records Authorization of Release

Renewal Applications (Complete all Five Forms)

  • Address Attachment
  • Application for Concealed Handgun Permit
  • Employment Information for Concealed Weapon Permit
  • Mental Health Records Authorization of Release
  • Renewal Affidavit

Information

  • Reciprocity States
  • Procedure for Receiving Confiscated Weapons
  • List of Disqualifying Criminal Offenses, Carrying Concealed Weapons
  • Change of Address

Location and Hours of Operation

Application for a concealed weapon permit takes place at the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building located at 301 North Church Street in downtown Winston-Salem.

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)

8:30 am - 11:30 am

Fees

New Application - $90.00 + $5.00 Notary Fee (includes fingerprint fee)
Renewal Application - $75.00 + $5.00 Notary Fee
Duplicate - $15.00

Method of Payment

Cash or Credit Card cards are accepted.

Application Requirements

  • Must apply in person.
  • Must be able to properly complete application process.
  • Must be 21 years of age or older.
  • Must provide current/valid identification in the form of either a N.C. Driver's License or N.C. State Identification Card.
  • Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship if born outside the United States.
  • Must be a resident of Forsyth County for a minimum of 30 days.
  • Must provide a list of previous addresses within the past 20 years. Your current address must be listed first.
  • Must have successfully completed an approved firearms training course and provide the original certificate with application – Firearms Safety Certificate (valid from one year of issue date).
  • If discharged from the military, must provide a copy of your DD-214 which indicates an Honorable Discharge.
  • Must authorize Mental Health background check.
  • Must pass criminal history background check.
  • Must provide complete set of legible fingerprints (taken at time of application).
  • Must be eligible to own, posses or receive a firearm under the provisions of State or Federal Law. See N.C. Firearm Laws.

Processing Information

Processing may take up to 45 days after the mental health background check is completed. If the application for a permit is denied, the applicant will be notified in writing, stating the grounds for denial, within 45 days. An applicant may appeal the denial, revocation, or non-renewal of a permit by petitioning the Chief District Court Judge.
The Permits Unit does not provide application status over the phone. Once the permit is approved, the applicant will be contacted via phone. Applicant must provide proper identification when permit is picked up.

General Information

  • Permit applications are taken under oath and notarized. False or fictitious information provided during the application process may cause the applicant to be criminally charged.
  • Permit is valid for a period of 5 years.
  • Renewal of existing permit can be submitted up to 90 days before the expiration date. Failure to renew an existing permit less than 30 days before the expiration date may result in providing a new firearms safety certificate.
  • If a permit is lost or stolen, the applicant must immediately notify the Permits Unit in person and sign an affidavit. A duplicate card will be initiated at the fee listed above.
  • When a change of address occurs, applicant must notify the Permits Unit in person within thirty days. There is no fee incurred for this process, unless the individual requests a duplicate permit. If a duplicate permit is not obtained, the Change of Address Form must be kept with existing permit at all times.
  • Fingerprints are submitted to the SBI and FBI for criminal background checks, rejection of fingerprints may result in the denial of an application.
  • There is no fingerprint requirement on renewals if prints were submitted via AFIS machine after June 30, 2001.
  • State Law now allows individuals who possess a Carry Concealed Weapon Permit to make handgun purchases without a gun permit (but it is also at the dealer's discretion to require a purchase permit).
  • For further assistance or questions, contact our office at

Concealed Carry Permit Application Packet

Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Packet

Handgun Purchase Permit Application Packet

Cumberland County

Wake County

Requirements for Obtaining and/or Renewing a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)

Applications are available at the Sheriff's Records Office, located on the first floor of the John H. Baker Jr. Public Safety Center, 330 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday; telephone 919-856-6949.

Applications are now also available online. Please download and complete all three documents:

These forms can be completed electronically using a PDF reader capable of filling forms and/or Microsoft Word, as necessary, and then printed and brought with you to the Sheriff's Office. Additionally, please familiarize yourself with the Do's and Don'ts of Carrying a Concealed Handgun.

Applications must be typed or printed and then notarized by Sheriff's Office personnel.

Fees are as follows:

Application Fee: $90; Renewal Fee: $75; Duplicate Fee: $15.

Fees are non-refundable and required by State Law. Applicant must meet all application requirements. (Note: Cash or Check only)

At the time of submitting the application, the applicant must:

  1. Be 21 years of age or older
  2. Be a United States citizen
  3. Be a resident of North Carolina for 30 days preceding the filing of the application
  4. Be a resident of Wake County
  5. Appear in person (do not mail or fax the application)
  6. Not suffer from a physical or mental infirmity that would prevent the safe handling of a handgun
  7. Not have any of the prohibitions listed in NCGS 14-415.12(b) or Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), 922

At the time of application, the applicant must present(An application that is incomplete, illegible, or ismissing required document(s) will not beaccepted.):

  1. An original certificate of completion from a certified course adopted by the Criminal Justice Education Training Standards Commission (919-716-6470). Note: A certificate is not required for renewals.
  2. Valid photographic identification and proof of residence
  3. Naturalized citizens must bring your Naturalization Certificate or a valid U.S. Passport
  4. U.S. citizens born outside of the U.S.A. to U.S. parent(s) must bring your documentation from the Department of State (Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certification of Report of Birth)
  5. A completed Concealed Handgun Permit Application
  6. A completed Mental Health Release Form
  7. A completed LiveScan for CCW Form

Fingerprints

Once you have submitted your CHP application, Sheriff's Office personnel will instruct you on how to obtain a set of fingerprints from CCBI (City-County Bureau of Identification). A CCBI agent is on duty at the Public Safety Center to take fingerprints only for CHP applicants. Note: Fingerprints are not required for renewals.

Fingerprint Hours at John H Baker, Jr. Public Safety Center:

8:30–11 a.m. & 1–4 p.m. CHP applicants only.

Fingerprint Fee: The cost for this service is $10 and is included in the Application Fee above.

Change-of-address procedure for CHP permits issued in Wake County:

  1. You must appear in person at the Wake County Sheriff's Office within 30 days of achange of address.
  2. Any time you have a change of residence, you must appear in person to complete a change-of-address form. At that point, you will be given a letter, which indicates that you have made notification of your address change. You must carry this letter in addition to your current CHP permit.
  3. If you do not wish to carry both the letter and your CHP permit, you may apply for a duplicate CHP card. The cost of the duplicate card is $15.
  4. If you are moving out of Wake County, you must go to the Sheriff's Office in the county to which you have moved to apply for the duplicate card. DO NOTgo to that Sheriff's Office until you have personally appeared in Wake County and completed the above-mentioned change-of-address process. The Sheriff's Office in the county to which you have moved cannot make any changes until Wake County releases your records.

For additional information, please call 919-856-6949.

*** It is your responsibility to know the NC gun laws. Below is a link to the NC firearms laws and a downloadable copy of the Wake County firearms ordinance.***

NC Department of Justice

Wake County Firearms Ordinance

Stanly County

Concealed Handgun Permit

As of December 1, 1995 residents of NC may be eligible for a permit allowing them to carry a concealed handgun under specific conditions. No other weapons can be carried concealed pursuant to this permit. Once issued, the permit is valid throughout NC for a period of 5 years, unless it is revoked. You must apply to your County's Sheriff Office in order to obtain a Concealed Handgun Permit.

Beginning June 1, 2010 the Sheriff’s Office will be accepting applications for Concealed Handgun Permits by appointment only. This applies to New and Renewal applications.

Upon completing your NC Firearms Safety Course (which must be taught by an instructor approved by the NC Training Standards Commission) contact the Sheriff’s Office at 704-920-3100 to schedule an appointment.

For NEW concealed handgun permits, bring the following to your appointment:

  • Valid NC Driver’s License (showing your correct address)
  • Original certificate of completion for firearms safety course
  • DD-214 or similar proof of military discharge status for applicants that have previously served in the military. (one copy for every tour of duty)

If making application to RENEW a concealed handgun permit you would not need to bring another copy of your Firearms Safety Course Certificate or DD-214 form, unless you have completed another term of military service.

A criminal background check is conducted on ALL applicants. Approved applicants must (among other things):

  • Be a citizen of the US (born or naturalized)
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have been a resident of Cabarrus County for the past 30 days prior to filing the application (or proof of dual residence, call for further)
  • Not suffer from any physical or mental infirmity which would prevent the safe handling and operation of a firearm
  • Successfully complete an approved firearms training and safety course

Concealed Handgun Permit Cost:

  • First time applications - $90, non-refundable permit/fingerprint fee
  • Renewal applications - $75 (if fingerprints are not on file $85)

You will be notified by phone when your permit is ready for pick up. Permits must be picked up in person at the Sheriff’s Office Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm. You must present your valid NC Driver’s License. If your permit is denied you will receive a written explanation from the Sheriff's Office within 90 days.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to renew the permit before it expires. The permit will expire at 12 am on the date listed on the card. A recently passed law (GS14-415.16(e) states if a permitee does not apply to renew the permit prior to its expiration date but does apply to renew the permit within 60 days after the permit expires, the Sheriff may waive the requirement of taking another firearms safety and training course. This does not extend the expiration date of the permit. Renewals in this case will cost $80. You can renew your permit up to 90 days prior to the expiration date. If a permit expires you may not carry your weapon concealed until a new permit has been obtained.

If moving to NC from another state, compliance with our concealed carry laws is required. The state of NC does not honor out of state permits when it comes up for renewal. Your applications will be considered new. However NC has reciprocity with other states. Those states recognizing NC's concealed handgun permittees will automatically be granted reciprocity for carrying concealed handguns within NC. The list of states granting such reciprocity recognized by NC are updated frequently.

Applicants moving from one NC County to another must apply for an address change through the county from which they are moving. To apply for an address change you must provide a NC Drivers License or NC ID with the new address.

If you have any questions regarding Concealed Handgun Permits you may contact us at 704-920-3100 or email .