Firearms Application Forms

Application for the grant / renewal of a firearm / shotgun certificate

Durham Constabulary is committed to improving our service delivery through modernisation.  As part of this strategy, paper applications are no longer sent to applicants as part of the renewal process.

Instead, all below forms and supporting documents should be downloaded from the links below then completed and submitted electronically via email to  FirearmsLicensing@durham.police.uk  A member of the Firearms Licensing Unit will then contact the applicant by telephone to discuss payment.  

Please note, following the recent publication of changes to the Home Office Statutory Guidance for the granting and renewal of certificates, applicants are now required, at their own expense, to obtain a medical proforma as part of this new application process which can then be sent either with the completed application or forwarded separately by the GP.  This proforma and explanatory notes are all contained within the downloadable application.

Time and care should be taken to complete applications in conjunction with the accompanying guidance notes, as any incomplete or insufficient applications will result in delays in processing or the application being returned to the applicant.

Forms for download and submission by email

Firearms and Shotgun Grant Renewal Form (201)
Residents notification form
ER4A - Personal Use Explosives Renewal or Application Form

Other items to be submitted by email in order to complete application

• Copy of all pages of applicant’s current certificate/s
• Current photo of applicant

Late applications for renewal

Applications should be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to expiry to allow time for all necessary enquiries to be completed. For applications submitted at least 8 weeks prior to expiry, a temporary extension will always be applied to cover any delays in processing.

Any applicants who have submitted their application within good time but who are experiencing delays due to GP reports may be entitled to a temporary permit however evidence will need to be provided that all reasonable efforts have been made to chase up missing reports by the applicant.

Any applicants who have not submitted their application within good time will need to  lodge their guns with another certificate holder with appropriate authority or else a registered firearms dealer.  The responsibility is with the applicant to do this in good time prior to expiry of the licence and to notify Firearms Licensing.

Please note failure to secure either a full licence, a temporary permit or extension or appropriate lodging of guns would result in any guns held being unlawful.

Variation of a firearms certificate

Applications to vary the firearms and ammunition authorised or held on an existing firearms certificate must be made using form 201V.  Please submit the variation application form along with your original firearms certificate by email to FirearmsLicensing@durham.police.uk  This will then be processed and sent back to the applicant via royal mail provided the variation is accepted. Variations will only be processed when the completed form and the firearms certificate have been received.

Firearms Variation Application Form (201V)

Cancelling down of an existing certificate

If you do not wish to renew your certificate and you do not possess any licensed guns, please advise Firearms Licensing of this via email or letter prior to your expiry date. If you wish to cancel down your certificate but still have licensed guns in your possession, please ensure they are transferred to another certificate holder or to a registered firearms dealer before your expiry date and ensure you notify the Firearms Licensing Department in writing as soon as possible.   

Transfer of a firearm / shotgun

Licence holders must inform Firearms Licensing having acquired or disposed of any gun or component part within 7 days.  The following form may be completed and emailed alternatively an email will be accepted containing the date of transaction, the name, address and certificate number of both parties and the calibre, make, action and serial number of each gun.

Shotgun firearms transfer notice

Registered Firearms Dealers

All persons engaged by way of trade or business in the manufacture, sale, transfer, repair, proof or testing of firearms or ammunition to which section 1 of the 1968 Act (as amended) applies, or shotguns, must be registered as a firearms dealer.

The first application to become a registered firearm dealer must be made to the chief officer of police for the area where the place of business is situated and must include a full business plan. For RFD renewal applications the application must be completed and submitted by email to firearmslicensing@durham.police.uk along with RFD 1 form be completed by the applicant and RFD 2 form completed by any servants. Following submission of all documents a member of the Firearms Licensing Unit at Durham will contact the applicant to discuss payment.

Firearms dealers: Application for registration or for new Certificate of Registration
RFD1 supplementary form to accompany RFD application
RFD 2 servant declaration

Fees

Fees

Certificate type	Grant or renewal of certificate	Total fee payable
Firearm certificate	Grant	£88
Firearm certificate	Renewal	£62
Shot gun certificate	Grant	£79.50
Shot gun certificate	Renewal	£49
Registered firearms dealer	Grant / renewal	£200
Visitors permit	Individual	£20
Visitors permit	Group (six or more permits)	£100
Coterminous certificates	Grant of both shotgun and firearm certificates	£90
Coterminous certificates	Grant of a shotgun certificate /renewal of firearm certificate	£90
Coterminous certificates	Renewal of a shotgun certificate /grant of a firearm certificate	£90
Coterminous certificates	Renewal of both shotgun and firearm certificates	£65
Game fairs	Grant	£13
Replacement certificate		£4
Variation (not like for like) – applicable only to firearm certificates		£20