Concealed Carry Application Instructions

YOU MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO SUBMIT A CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE APPLICATION.

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT.
APPOINTMENTS MAY BE MADE BY CALLING (513) 946-6213. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Many people are not eligible to obtain a Concealed Carry License, most commonly because of a prior criminal record. If you have ever been convicted of any crime, before filling out an application form or making an appointment to submit it, (Remember, once submitted, your license fee is non-refundable) you should read the Attorney General's informational booklet, “Ohio's Concealed Carry Law”, for details on what kinds of convictions make you ineligible to receive a Concealed Carry License. This booklet is available on the Attorney General's website or at the Sheriff's Office. If you are still unsure, you may want to consult with an attorney. THIS OFFICE CANNOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR INDIVIDUAL CASE ASSESSMENTS.

1. TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT Call (513) 946-6213 between 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. All appointments are held at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, 1000 Sycamore Street, Room 100, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Appointments are scheduled between 8:00am and 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Each applicant must personally appear at his/her appointment.
   
   
2. TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION You may obtain an application for a Concealed Carry License by downloading it or by visiting our office located at 1000 Sycamore St. Room 100, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
   
   
3. BEFORE APPEARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. You must fully complete your application, but do not sign it until told to do so.
1. Clearly PRINT, in blue or black ink, all required information on the Application, or complete the form online and print out the completed application. DO NOT SIGN THE APPLICATION UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO. Failure to include ALL requested information will result in the Sheriff's Office refusing to accept the application.
2. List one or more phone numbers on your application where you can be reached. The Sheriff's Office will use the number(s) to contact you when your license is ready to be picked up.
   

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE

IN ADDITION TO YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION, YOU MUST ALSO HAVE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOU:

• Firearms Training Certificate (a legible copy).
  
  The Certificate should be dated, showing you completed this course and passed a competency examination within the past THREE years, and contain your name, and the name and a phone number of the instructor and/or location where you received the training.
  
  If within the past SIX (6) years you have retired as a peace officer, state trooper, Federal law enforcement officer, or have been honorably discharged from the military within the past six years, or are an active or reserve member of the military, this Firearms Training Certificate is not required. BUT you must provide written verification of your former/current employment/military service AND documentation reflecting you received firearms training equivalent to Ohio 's concealed carry training requirements.
  
  
• State-issued Photo ID (driver’s license, for example)
  
  
• Color Photograph ( A frontal view ) of your face (2” x 2” max size).
  
  The photo must have been taken within the past THIRTY days . This photo will be kept with your application and will NOT be returned to you.
  
  
• License fee (non-refundable) in the amount and form described here:
  
  • If you are an active duty and/or retired peace officer, retired state trooper, a retired natural resources officer or active dury and/or retired military, or retired Federal law enforcement officer there is no application fee. You must bring in a letter from your former employer or other documentation verifying employment or retirement.
    
    
  • Other applicants who have been residents of Ohio for FIVE YEARS OR MORE must pay a NON-Refundable $55.00 fee with the application in the form of cash (exact amount), or cashier's/certified check payable to HCSO CCW License Fund. (No uncertified personal or business checks will be accepted).
    
    
  • If you have been an Ohio resident LESS THAN FIVE YEARS, the NON-Refundable application fee is $79.00.
    
    
  • For a Temporary Emergency license the fee is $30.00, if you have been a resident of Ohio for FIVE YEARS OR MORE , and if a resident LESS THAN FIVE YEARS the fee is $54.00.

After your appointment has been confirmed, you must appear in person bringing the items listed above.

• AT YOUR APPOINTMENT You will be fingerprinted and your documentation will be reviewed. The records checks may take three to four weeks to complete. DO NOT CALL OUR OFFICE to check on the status of your application, unless you fail to hear from us for at least THREE weeks after you have turned in your application materials. You will thereafter be contacted and provided instructions for picking up your Concealed Carry License – or you will receive a rejection letter from the Sheriff’s Office.
  
  
• If your application is rejected, you will be notified of the reason, and advised of the appeals procedure.

RENEWAL APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Ohio Concealed Carry Licenses issued prior to April 1, 2008 are valid for four years from date of issue. Licenses issued after April 1, 2008 are valid for five years.

If you currently possess an Ohio Concealed Carry License which is due to expire (the Expiration Date is on your License), you may apply to renew it 90 days prior to, and no later than 30 days after, your expiration date (While you may apply for a renewal license 30 days after your license has expired, you may not carry a concealed handgun during this grace period). If your license expired more than 30 days ago, you must apply as a first-time applicant.

To renew your Concealed Carry License, the process and procedure is identical to the initial application process with the possible exception of the firearms competency class requirement. See below:

• Complete but do not sign your application form
• You must make an APPOINTMENT to submit your application, AND BRING WITH YOU:
  
  
  • new photograph
    
    
  • cashier’s/certified check, (or cash), in the same amounts as for a new license, payable to the HCSO LICENSE FUND, unless waived due to retired law enforcement/military status as described above
    
    
  • Firearms competency certificate
    
    
  • If your original firearms competency certificate was issued more than six years before the date of your renewal application appointment, you must attend a new firearms competency class, pass a competency examination and receive a new competency certificate as obtained for your original concealed carry license
    
    
  • If your original firearms competency certificate, or a renewed firearms competency certificate was issued less than six years before the date of your renewal application appointment, you need not attend a new firearms competency class, but are required only to take and pass the competency examination at a location offering the competency classes.
    
    
  • At your appointment, you will be fingerprinted again. It will take approximately three weeks before you receive your new license. If your application is denied, you will be advised by letter of the reasons, and the appeal process.