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 and NECESSARY ITEMS:

• Firearms Training Certificate (a legible copy).
  
  

  The Certificate should be dated, showing you completed this course within the past three years, and contain your name, and the name and phone number of the instructor and/or location where you received the training.

  If you have retired as a peace officer, state trooper, Federal law enforcement officer, or have been honorably discharged from the military, 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 conceal 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 retired military, or retired Federal law enforcement officer, there is no application fee. You must bring in a letter 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 $67.00 fee with the application in the form of cash (exact amount), or cashier's/certified check made 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 $91.00.
    
    
  • 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

Renewals are processed at 1000 Sycamore Street, Room 100

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. The expiration date of your license is on your license.

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, or at any time after, your expiration date (While you may apply for a renewal license after your license has expired, you may not carry a concealed handgun during this grace period).

The Concealed Carry License renewal procedure is more streamlined than the original application process. You may renew your license at the sheriff’s office in the county in which you reside, or at the sheriff’s office of an adjoining county. The rules are different if you are renewing your license for the first time, or for a subsequent renewal after the first renewal. See below:

FOR FIRST RENEWAL OF A LICENSE:

• Complete, but do not sign your application form
• You must make an APPOINTMENT (946-6213) to submit your application, AND BRING WITH YOU:
  • -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 - Your original firearms competency certificate, or your valid, or expired license itself, will satisfy the firearms competency certificate requirement.
  • A certification that you have reread the pamphlet prepared by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission that reviews firearms, dispute resolution and use of deadly force matters (pamphlet available at Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

FOR A SECOND, OR SUBSEQUENT RENEWAL OF A LICENSE

• Complete, but do not sign your application form
• You must make an APPOINTMENT (946-6213), to submit your application, AND BRING WITH YOU:
  • cashier’s/certified check, or cash ($50 If Ohio Resident for 5 years, $74 if not an Ohio Resident for 5 years), in the same amounts as for a new license, payable to the HCSO LICENSE FUND, unless waived due to retired or active duty law enforcement or retired military status as described above
  • -A renewed Firearms competency certificate. You may obtain a renewed firearms competency certificate from an entity offering a firearms competency training course by passing a test that demonstrates the person is range competent. You are not required to take the course, class or program in order to take the competency test in order to be eligible to receive a renewed competency certificate.
  • A certification that you have reread the pamphlet prepared by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission that reviews firearms, dispute resolution and use of deadly force matters (pamphlet available at Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

Whether a first renewal or a second or subsequent renewal, the new records check will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. You will be notified when to pick up your new license. If your application is denied, you will be advised by letter of the reasons, and the appeal process.

 

Last updated 9/29/2009