A shooter holding a broken shotgun
A shooter holding a broken shotgun

Applying for a firearms certificate

Fees for certificates in England, Wales and Scotland

Licence typeFee
Grant of firearms certificate£198
Renewal of firearm certificate£131
Grant of shotgun certificate£194
Renewal of shotgun certificate£126
Coterminous grant of firearm and shotgun certificates£202
Coterminous renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates£155
Registration as a firearms dealer: grant£466
Registration as a firearms dealer: renewal£466
Registration as a firearms dealer: game fair etc£30
Replacement of lost or destroyed firearms certificate£9
Replacement of lost or destroyed shotgun certificate£9
Variation of firearm certificate (not like for like)£47
Grant of visitors permit: group£233
Grant of visitors permit: individual£47

*A coterminous certificate is just a means of issuing both firearm and shotgun certificates where an applicant requires both (to expire at the same time) at a cheaper cost to the applicant and also a reduced administration to the police force. If an applicant holds or requires both firearm and shotgun certificates, he can request coterminous certificates by using Form 201 and enclosing the £90 fee. The £90 fee is standard regardless of whether you already hold a certificate or not.

Scotland - Air weapon certificates

Licence typeFee
Air weapon certificate: grant (over 18)£72.00
Air weapon certificate: grant (applicant aged 17)£12.50
Air weapon certificate: grant (applicant aged 17)£12.50
Air weapon certificate: grant (applicant aged 16)£25.00
Air weapon certificate: grant (applicant aged 15)£37.50
Air weapon certificate: grant (applicant aged 14)£50.00
Air weapon certificate: renewal£48.00
Air weapon variation (change of address)£20.00
Air weapon visitor permit: Individual£20.00
Air weapon visitor permit: Group (2 to 20 qualifying visitors)£100.00
Air weapon event permit£40.00
Air weapon club approval: grant£45.00
Air weapon club approval: renewal£45.00
Air weapon police permit£15.00
Add an air weapon to an existing SGC or FAC£5.00

Northern Ireland

Licence type Fee
Firearm certificate – grant £98
Firearm certificate – variation £30
Firearm certificate variation to substitute one firearm for another of the same calibre or type (known as a one for one variation) £15
Replacement firearm certificate/dealers certificate (e.g. where your certificate has been lost completely. Dilapidated certificates are replaced free) £14
Firearms dealer £300
Visitors permit (1 to 5 people) £16 per person
Visitors permit (6 to 20 people) £80 for the group
Firearms club authorisation (grant or renewal – valid for 5 years) £71
Museum firearms licence £110
Extension of a museum firearms licence to additional premises £75

Downloadable firearms forms

New application forms are available below for download. Only one photograph is required and there is a new medical questionnaire.

Make sure you pay particular attention to what the question is asking you and please refer to the notes at the rear of the form before completing the forms.

Please note that many forces have the facility to apply on-line. Members who can use this service are encouraged to do so, as it makes the application process more efficient and provides a audit trail of the application process. Further advice on applications and renewals can be found on the interactive guide on the BASC website.

Application for the grant or renewal of a firearm and/or shotgun certificate – Form 201

Medical proforma- Form 201

Variation form – Form 201

Other useful documents

Explosive licensing forms

Form ER4a is for individuals wishing to use black powder in their own firearms or shotguns, or for historic re-enactment events.

  • Use this form for an ‘acquire only’ or an ‘acquire and keep’ certificate for black powder.
  • Not applicable to clubs, societies, or organisations or for any explosive other than black powder.

Form ER4 is for companies, clubs and societies, powder masters or users. It is not applicable for personally held firearms and shotguns, or historic re-enactment when using black powder only.

ER4b should be used when renewing an explosives certificate at the same time as a firearm or shotgun certificate.

Visitors explosives certificate application form

Form ER4a

Form ER4b

Form ER4

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