Gun Permits

How to Obtain A Gun Permit

A permit is not required by the State of Indiana, however the requirements and information to obtain a gun permit are detailed below.

  • State law governs the procedures for handgun permits.

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not have any felony convictions.

  • Misdemeanor convictions on charges of domestic battery or violence also are not allowed.

Prior to visiting the Sheriff's Office, the online application must be completed.

  • Upon completion of the online application, the applicant must have his or her fingerprints taken. This has to be completed electronically using designated L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. sites which are available at several locations in the area. There is an additional fee for electronic fingerprinting and can be arranged by appointment at 1-877-472-6917 or online after finishing the application.

Important Note about Payments to the Indiana State Police

The Indiana State Police Firearms Licensing Unit will no longer accept payment for firearms license applications, duplicate license requests or manual inked fingerprint cards by mail. If a payment or fingerprint card is received by mail, it will be returned to the applicant.

Application payments must be made electronically through the Firearms License Application Portal. Please contact your Local Law Enforcement Agency for special circumstances.

The Indiana State Police Department is no longer accepting manual name change forms, manual address change forms or manual duplicate license request forms. All changes must be completed online through the Indiana State Police Handgun Licensing Portal.

Note on Local Fees

There are no fees for gun permits.

Note About Applications

All applications are subject to a waiting period of up to four weeks for the completion of a criminal history background check. At the conclusion of the background check, the records division will electronically submit the application to the state with a recommendation to approve or deny the application. In many cases, applicants are frequently denied due to an applicant failing to list all previous criminal convictions, which will cause delays in the approval process.