CCW_start
Select To Get Started:
General Information
Effective April 22nd, 2025, Non-California Residents can now apply for a California Concealed Carry Weapon License.
You must apply with, and attest under oath, that the jurisdiction to which you are applying is the primary location in California where you intend to travel or spend time. Please review the information on this page and on the issuing agency website for full instructions on what you will need to apply for a CCW.
Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Residents applying for a CCW license must fully understand all requirements and laws related to carrying a concealed weapon in California. Please contact your legal counsel if you have any questions or need further guidance.
In California, the Sheriffs/Police Chiefs and their staff are required to follow strict state and local guidelines when performing the necessary background checks for issuing Carry Concealed Weapon licenses. Due to the detailed nature involved with conducting these background checks, appointment times and processing times can take multiple weeks or months.
INITIAL applicants will be required to attend a 16 hour CCW training course and qualification. RENEWAL applicants will be required to attend an 8 hour CCW training course and qualification. ALL applicants must use a training vendor from a list that will be emailed at the training phase.
NOTICE FOR RENEWAL: If the applicant is RENEWING a Carry Concealed Weapon license issued by the Albany Police Department, they may not apply until 90 days before the expiration date listed on their current Carry Concealed Weapon license. These will be processed in the order they were submitted. You may track the progress/status of your order using the Order Tracker.
Failure to upload all required documents during your submission will result in delays in the processing of your application.Processing Fees:
| Type of License |
Standard 2 Year (Albany Residents) |
Judicial 3 Year (Judges & Magistrates) |
Reserve 4 Year (Reserve Officers) |
|
Initial Fee |
$250.00 | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| Issuance Fee Paid upon the approval of the application |
$200.00 | $200.00 | $200.00 |
| Renewal Fee | $165.00 | $165.00 | $165.00 |
| Duplicate / Modification Fee | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
- Additional Fees will be required for: LiveScan/Fingerprinting (Standard $93.00 State DOJ Fee + Rolling Fees that Vary by Provider); Required Training /Safety Class & Range Qualification (Vendor Fees Vary ≈ $200-$435); Psych Evaluation (Provider Fee ≈ $415).
- A Service Fee and nominal credit card Transaction Fee will be charged. Charges will be viewable prior to transaction completion.
IMPORTANT: READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE CAREFULLY
Firearms must be on the DOJ Approved Firearms List: Click Here to Confirm
- Permitees are only allowed 3 weapons on the CCW license, and they must be listed accurately on the application.
-
Firearms are to be free from alterations from the manufacturer’s specifications, excluding sights or grips; for example, no trigger adjustments, as the department has the right to deny a license for any firearm which has been altered from the manufacture specifications or a firearm deemed unsafe. Additionally, no "AR Pistol” platform or similar style handguns will be approved and the handgun must be capable of being concealed upon a person. Caliber must be .380, 9mm, .40, or .45 ONLY.
Appointments for Concealed Carry Weapon licenses are processed Tuesdays and Thursdays. Approved CCW licenses can be picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
CCW Application Process: The application process is a long, tedious, and meticulous process that starts, but does not end, with the in-person interview. There are corresponding costs per step as the application moves forward. Applicants will move forward ONLY upon notification by the Agency. There is no necessity for proactivity, as the furtherance in the process depends on the results of each step one will have to take along the way. The other steps, aside from extensive background investigation, are live scan, psychological evaluation, safety course (to be taken from our approved resources) and shooting proficiency. Again, please do not take any action until notification from this office.
Applications are processed in the order they are received. The application process will consist of the following steps:
- Completion of online CCW Application
- Payment of Applicable Fees
- Verification of Age Requirement (21+)
- Verification of Residency Requirement (2 items required: A copy of your most recent property tax, grant deed, or lease/rental agreement AND a major utility or phone bill in your name, reflecting your address. This bill is to be dated no later than 30 days from the date of submitting the CCW application. If unable to provide a tax bill or rental/lease agreement in your name (i.e. you are renting from a family member), the home owner shall write a letter noting you reside with them full-time. The letter is to be notarized AND you will need to upload the notarized letter and the property tax bill or grant deed of the residence. All names and addresses on the documents must match.)
- Three Reference Checks
- Interview of the CCW Applicant
- Fingerprinting/Live Scan
- Background Checks
- Review of Publicly Available Information including Social Media
- Military Status
- Initial Determination
- Successful Completion of the Psychological Evaluation
- Successful Completion of the Firearms Safety Course & Range Qualifications
- Upload of Firearms Safety Course & Range Qualifications Certificates
- Approval or Denial of CCW license
- Final Payment received for Approval
- Issuance of CCW License
Click the appropriate button on the left of the screen to proceed with an application for a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
Concealed Carry Weapon License Requirements: must meet ALL requirements
Authority
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a Sheriff of a county or the Chief or other head of municipal police department of any city, or city and county, shall issue or renew a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (Concealed Carry Weapon license).
Who Shall be Issued a License
The licensing authority specified in Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 shall issue a license to persons who are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202, meet residential requirements, and have completed a course of training. All applicants for a Concealed Carry Weapon license will be fingerprinted and state and federal records will be checked to determine if they are eligible to possess firearms. Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
Completing the Application
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county shall issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to prescribe a statewide standard application form for a CCW license. Answering all the questions on the Application does not guarantee the issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. The determination whether to issue the license is at the discretion of the licensing authority. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority will have a written policy summarizing their requirements for issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. In addition, prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:
- The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
- The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400;
- The applicant is a resident of that city or city and county. Prima facie evidence of residency within the county or a city within the county includes, but is not limited to, the address where the applicant is registered to vote, the applicant’s filing of a homeowner’s property tax exemption, and other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the county or a city within the county is more than temporary or transient. The presumption of residency in the county or city within the county may be rebutted by satisfactory evidence that the applicant’s primary residence is in another county or city within the county;
- The course of training prescribed by the licensing authority has been completed.
- The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.
Non-California Resident Applicants
Prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:
- The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
- Attest, under oath, the intention that they intend to spend time within the subsequent 12 months in the California jurisdiction to which they are applying;
- The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400;
- In connection with Penal Code section 26150, subdivision (a)(2) or section 26155, subdivision (a)(2), a Nonresident Applicant may present a valid driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Nonresident Applicant’s state of residence, in lieu of a valid California driver’s license or identification card. If the Nonresident Applicant’s driver’s license or identification card does not set forth the applicant’s current address, the applicant can—consistent with the policy for state resident applicants—submit other reliable documentation, including current utility bills, current out‐of‐state CCW license with a correct address, or other reasonable indicia of ongoing residency matching the address provided on the application;
- The course of training prescribed by the licensing authority has been completed.
- The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.
Character References
You will need to provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references. One of the three must be a person described in Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (b) (your spouse, or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child), if applicable. At least one of the three must be your cohabitant if applicable. You cannot select an Officer with the Albany Police Department to use as a reference, unless they are your spouse or cohabitant.
Training Required
If applying for a NEW Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the Albany Police Department must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be a minimum of 16 hours.
If applying for a RENEWAL Concealed Carry Weapon license, an 8 hour course approved by the Albany Police Department must be completed prior to permit issuance.
Your required training must be completed before being issued your permit.
Non-California Resident Applicants:
Nonresident Applicants must complete a training course that meets the criteria set forth in Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a)(1)‐(3) and (5)‐(6), and subdivision (b).
You may use any of the approved Online Training Courses
For the live‐fire shooting exercises required by Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a)(6), Nonresident Applicants must complete a live‐fire shooting exercise for each handgun they intend to carry in California. A Nonresident Applicant shall inform the Demo County Sheriff where the applicant applies of the live‐fire course the applicant intends to complete, and the licensing authority shall either approve such course or suggest an alternative acceptable course within 75 miles of the applicant’s residence.
Prior to Filling Out This Application
Please allow for a minimum of one (1) hour to complete the online application as you will not be allowed to save and complete the application at a later time. Please review the documents required to upload, and have those documents available.
IMPORTANT: Please keep a record of your Order Number after submitting your application. Your Order Number is needed to check your application status and view messages from the CCW Licensing Unit.
NEW CCW Applicants:
- Be prepared to scan a copy of your valid California driver’s license, or state issued ID, which has your current address in the City of Albany. Your state issued ID must have your current residential address.
- Copy of most recent property tax, grant deed or lease/rental agreement AND a major utility or phone bill in your name, reflecting your address. This bill is to be dated no later than 30 days from the date of submitting the CCW application. (2 PROOFS OF RESIDENCY ARE REQUIRED)
- If unable to provide a tax bill or rental/lease agreement in your name (i.e. you are renting from a family member), the home owner shall write a letter noting you reside with them full-time. The letter is to be notarized AND you will need to upload the notarized letter and the property tax bill or grant deed of the residence. All names and addresses on the documents must match.
CCW RENEWAL Applicants:
- Be prepared to scan a copy of your valid California driver’s license, or state issued ID, which has your current address in the City of Albany. Your state issued ID must have your current residential address.
- Copy of most recent property tax, grant deed or lease/rental agreement AND a major utility or phone bill in your name, reflecting your address. This bill is to be dated no later than 30 days from the date of submitting the CCW application. (2 PROOFS OF RESIDENCY ARE REQUIRED)
- If unable to provide a tax bill or rental/lease agreement in your name (i.e. you are renting from a family member), the home owner shall write a letter noting you reside with them full-time. The letter is to be notarized AND you will need to upload the notarized letter and the property tax bill or grant deed of the residence. All names and addresses on the documents must match.
Business Applicants
If you are applying for a CCW license for business-related use you must provide the following information in addition to the Instructions for ALL Applicants listed above.
- Copies of any licenses required by local, state and/or federal business and professional codes. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have complied with all licensing requirements. Applicants who operate a business from their residence should check with their local jurisdiction regarding business licenses.
- Partner(s)/corporate offices statement providing authorization. Partner letter should state if partnership dissolves they will notify this office immediately upon separation.
- Employer authorization (on company letterhead) specifying duties and/or assignments, which establish need. Employer letter must state they will notify this office immediately upon separation or the need no longer exists. Any restrictions the employer may wish to impose on the license must also be stated.
- Employee’s last two paycheck stubs or other proof of employer-employee relationship.
For More Information, Contact:
Albany Police Department
Address: 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, CA 94706
Telephone: (510) 525-7300 Email: CCW@albanyca.org
Website: https://www.albanyca.org/departments/police-department
For Technical Support, Contact:
Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com
Phone: (855) 642-2453