Information Sheet: Application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence Under the Firearms Act (for Individuals Aged 18 and Over)
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Before you Start...
The fee to apply for a firearms licence will be changing annually. Please refer to Section J - Fees, for the applicable fee associated with your firearms licence application.
Individuals must hold a valid firearms licence to acquire and possess firearms; to acquire ammunition, cartridge magazines, or firearm parts (e.g. barrels for firearms and slides for handguns); and to import firearms, ammunition, cartridge magazines, or firearm parts.
Use this form if you are an individual aged 18 and over to apply:
- for a first time licence;
- for a new licence if your current licence has expired;
- for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for a different class of firearm.
Do not use this form to apply to renew your firearms licence if it is still valid. You can now renew your licence on the Internet by accessing the link "Individual Web Services" on the main page of our website. If you wish to renew using a paper application, you can request the form "Application for Renewal of a Firearms Licence" (RCMP GRC 5614) by calling 1 800 731-4000 or by downloading it from our website.
Please note:
You must complete all sections of the form. An incomplete form will cause delays in processing your application.
Processing a firearms licence application involves a variety of background checks. In some cases, in-depth investigations are conducted. Once your licence application has been fully processed and you have met the eligibility criteria, you will be issued a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). There is a minimum 28-day waiting period for all applicants who do not presently hold a valid firearms licence. A PAL is valid for a period of five (5) years. The application must be signed within six (6) months of mailing and must bear a handwritten signature.
Safety Training - If you are applying for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for non-restricted firearms, you must have passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). If you are applying for a PAL for restricted firearms, you must have passed two safety courses: the CFSC and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC). See Section G - Safety Training Certification for further information, or call 1 800 731-4000.
If you need additional space, list all information requested on a separate sheet of paper, add your name and licence number (if applicable) to the top of each sheet and attach the sheet to your application.
If you need help completing this application form or require another form, call 1 800 731-4000. Additional information and some application forms are also available on our website.
The following information explains certain parts of the form and will help you answer some of the questions. You should read the instructions as you fill in your form. If you are still unsure about a question, call 1 800 731-4000 for assistance.
Mail your completed application form and all attachments to:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
P.O. Box 1200
Miramichi NB E1N 5Z3
A - Licence Information
Box 2 b)
Note: The licence issued to you and fees are based on the firearms you currently possess and the firearms you intend to acquire and possess; or the class of firearms licence you wish to obtain (e.g. for target practice or for employment).
In general, you cannot request possession and acquisition of prohibited firearms unless you already lawfully possess a prohibited firearm.
If you intend on applying for a licence to acquire a restricted handgun or a prohibited handgun manufactured before 1946, please call 1 800 731-4000 for further information.
The following definitions may help you complete Box 2.
A Non-Restricted Firearm is
- an ordinary rifle, shotgun or combination gun that is not described below as being restricted or prohibited.
A Restricted Firearm is
- a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm;
- a semi-automatic, centre-fire rifle or shotgun with a barrel length less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) that is not prohibited;
- a rifle or shotgun that can fire when its overall length is reduced by folding, telescoping or some other means to less than 660 mm (26 inches);
- any firearm prescribed to be restricted (including some long guns).
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A Prohibited Firearm is
- A handgun that has a barrel equal to or less than 105 mm (4.1 inches) in length, or is designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32 calibre cartridge, but does not include any such handgun that is prescribed, where the handgun is for use in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union [International Shooting Sport Federation].
- A rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make it less than 660 mm (26 inches) in overall length.
- A rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) where the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more.
- An automatic firearm and a converted automatic firearm.
- Any firearm prescribed to be prohibited.
- Any unlawfully manufactured firearm.
- Any firearm, other than a handgun, that discharges centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner; was originally designed with a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity of six cartridges or more; and was designed and manufactured on or after December 15, 2023.
Visit our website for a list of firearms restricted or prohibited under Criminal Code regulations.
Box 3
Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms):
Regulations that apply particularly to Aboriginal Peoples have been made under the Firearms Act. To apply under these regulations, you must:
- Be an Indian, an Inuit, a Metis or beneficiary under a land claims agreement referred to in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
- Be a member of an Aboriginal community; and
- Engage in the traditional hunting practices of that Aboriginal community.
If you are applying under these Regulations and require a form, call 1 800 731-4000 for further information and ask for an "Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) Application" (RCMP GRC 5642).
B - Personal Information
Boxes 5 a), b and c)
Please do not use initials or nicknames. Your last, first and middle name must be written in full. Junior (Jr.) or Senior (Sr.) can only be used if they form part of your legal name. If Junior (Jr.) or Senior (Sr.) form part of your legal name, please provide a photocopy of an official piece of documentation issued by a municipal, provincial or federal government that bears your full name.
Box 6
If you have changed your name several times, please indicate the most recent previous name on the form and list all other previously used names on a separate sheet. Return this sheet with your completed application.
Proof of Identity
Box 13 a) Type of Identification
Print the type of identification used to prove your identity. For example, if you use your provincial or territorial driver's licence, print "Driver's licence" in Box 13 a).
Examples of other types of identification you may use to prove your identity are:
- Federal, provincial, territorial or municipal employee identification card
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Citizenship certificate
- Permanent resident document
Do not send original documents or photocopies with your application. Only provide the information requested.
Home Address
Box 14 a) Street or Land Location
If you live in a rural area and do not have an address with a street number and name, provide your rural address (for example: lot and concession number). If you live on a reserve, provide the reserve number, or if you live in an Inuit community, provide your house number, box number or lot number. If your legal land location is unavailable, please provide a general description of your home location e.g. 2 km east of route 6.
C - Personal History
All questions in Section C - Personal History must be answered by the applicant.
New Canadian Residents
If you have been a resident of Canada for less than 5 years, you must obtain a letter of good conduct issued by the local or state police of your previous country of residence.
Non-Residents of Canada
If you are a non-resident of Canada, you must obtain a letter of good conduct issued by your local or state police.
Letter of Good Conduct Required for New Canadian Residents and Non-Residents of Canada Only
A letter of good conduct must be written in the English or French language on the police department's official letterhead paper. Please attach the letter to your application form. The letter of good conduct must have been issued within the last 6 months, from the date of application.
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E and F - Information About Current and Former Conjugal Partners
Conjugal partner includes spouses and common law partners and all other persons with whom you live or have lived in a similar relationship within the last 2 years.
A spouse is a person to whom you are legally married. A common-law partner is a person who is cohabiting with you in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year.
Boxes 18 and 19
The signatures of your current or former conjugal partners are not legally required. However, if their signatures are not provided, the Chief Firearms Officer has a duty to notify them of your application for a firearms licence.
G - Safety Training Certification
Box 20 a)
To get a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for non-restricted firearms, you must have passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). Complete Box 20 a) if this applies to you.
Box 20 b)
To get a Possession and Acquisition Licence for restricted or prohibited firearms, you must have passed two safety courses: the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC). Complete Box 20 b) if this applies to you. Note: If you passed the CFSC before February 1, 1999 you are considered to have met both these requirements.
If you have your Canadian Firearms Safety Course Report, provide a photocopy of this document with your application.
Box 20 c)
In the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec only, many hunter safety or similar courses taken prior to 1995 were approved as being equal to the CFSC requirement. If this applies to you, complete Box 20 c), including the name of the course. If you are unsure, call 1 800 731-4000.
Chief Firearms Officers have the authority to alternatively certify that you meet the requirements regarding the safe handling and use of firearms and the laws relating to firearms. To qualify for alternative certification, you must have been in continuous possession of a firearm since January 1, 1979. If you have proof that you were alternately certified, check yes in Box 20 c) and provide a photocopy of it with your application.
I - Photo Guarantor
A photo guarantor is a person who confirms that the photograph you supply accurately identifies you. Your photo guarantor must have known you for at least one (1) year and must be at least 18 years old. Your spouse or your common-law or other conjugal partner or one of your references can be your guarantor.
You must provide a current photograph of yourself. Your guarantor must sign his or her name on the enclosed photo sticker. Refer to the Photo Instructions section for more details.
J - Fees
The fee required is determined by the class of firearms you possess or intend to acquire and by the date that your application is received by the Canadian Firearms Program. Please note that as per the Service Fees Act, fees will change annually on March 31.
[th]Effective Date[/th][th]Non-restricted[/th][th]Restricted or prohibited[/th]
| March 31, 2025 | $69.20 | $92.27 |
| March 31, 2026 | $70.38 | $93.84 |
For more information on the annual change to fees associated with a firearms licence application, please refer to our website.
Indicate the method of payment. Do not send cash. Make certified cheque or money order payable to Receiver General for Canada. If you are a non-resident of Canada, please make your fee payable in Canadian dollars. The fee is non-refundable.
Sustenance Hunters
You may not be required to pay the fee for a licence for non-restricted firearms if you need the firearms to hunt or trap in order to sustain yourself or your family. Only the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of your province or territory can make this determination. Contact the CFO for further information. This fee waiver does not apply to restricted or prohibited firearms.
By checking the box for the fee waiver on the application, you may be contacted by the CFO. The processing of your application will be delayed.
Checklist
Before mailing your application, have you...
- answered all relevant questions?
- obtained all necessary signatures?
- enclosed the applicable fee?
- attached your photo with the signed sticker on the back?
- attached a copy of your safety course report (if you have it)?
- attached a separate sheet of paper with additional information if necessary?
- signed and dated the declaration?
- enclosed your completed application and any additional information in the envelope provided?
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Photo Instructions
Label Instructions
Your photo must follow all instructions below, or it will be rejected. If rejected, a new photo will be required, causing a delay in the processing of your application. Your photo must meet the following criteria:
- Photo must be less than 12 months old.
- Photo must not be a photo of another photograph or a piece of government ID.
- Photo must not be altered in any way.
- Photo should be clear, sharp and in focus, without shadows, glare or flash reflections.
- Stand in natural sunlight at 0.5 meters from the background to avoid shadows on your face or behind you.
- Use a plain light-coloured background without textures or patterns.
- Show a full front view of your head and shoulders.
- Do not wear a hat or sunglasses. Your eyes must be clearly visible.
- Digitally produced photos must be printed on photo quality paper.
- Photo size must not be larger than 45 mm x 57 mm (1 3/4" x 2 1/4")
- Your head in the photograph must be at least 30 mm (1 3/16") high.
(Diagram of photo dimensions)
Cut the photo to fit the size requirements. Print your name and your guarantor's name on the sticker. Have your guarantor sign it and complete the Photo Guarantor section of your application. Affix the sticker to the back of your photo. Enclose the photograph with your application.
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Privacy Notice
The personal information you provide is collected under the authority of the Firearms Act, its Regulations, and the Criminal Code for the purpose of determining eligibility for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). Your information is also collected and used for the purpose of public safety through lawful acquisition, ownership and use of firearms, and to combat illegal firearm related activities. Participation is voluntary, however refusal to provide your personal information or personal information of supporting references will result in you not receiving a PAL.
Your personal information submitted for the processing of your PAL application may be shared with federal and provincial appointed Chief Firearms Offices who are responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Firearms Act. Under the Privacy Act, your personal information may also be disclosed to domestic and foreign accredited law enforcement agencies for the enforcement and administration of the law, and in the detection, prevention, or suppression of crime. Your personal information will be shared with those that you choose as references and photo guarantors in support of your application. Your named conjugal partners and references will be contacted to provide notice of your application and permit them to flag public safety concerns. As part of the PAL application, the Canadian Firearms Program may contact you by mail, email, or telephone.
The information may also be used and/or disclosed for policy and program analysis, research and/or evaluation purposes, however, these additional uses and/or disclosures of your personal information will not identify you nor result in an administrative decision being made about you.
Your personal information is administered in accordance with the Firearms Act, its Regulations, the Privacy Act. You have the right to the protection of, access to, and correction of personal information, which is described in the applicable Personal Information Banks (RCMP PPU 100. Canadian Firearms Program; RCMP PPU 037 - Canadian Firearms Information System; and RCMP PPU 007 - Inquiries by Firearms Owners, Licence Applicants and the General Public).
To update your personal information, please contact the Canadian Firearms Program:
- Website: Canadian Firearms Program
- Telephone: 1-800-731-4000
For questions on how your personal information is managed, contact the RCMP Access to Information and Privacy Branch at:
- Website: RCMP Access to Information and Privacy Branch
- Email: ATIP-AIPRP@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
- Telephone: 1-855-629-5877 or 613-843-6800
You have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding the handling of your personal information.
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Application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence Under the Firearms Act (for Individuals Aged 18 and Over)
Attention: Read the Information Sheet for explanations. Mark the box to indicate your answers (where required). Print clearly in blue or black ink.
