FIREARMS LICENSES
Weapons Carry Eligibility
Chattooga County residents who are at least 21 years old may apply for a Weapons Carry License at the Chattooga County Probate Court. Residents between the ages of 18 to 20 years old with certain military training may also apply. Please see a clerk for further details.
For a list of reasons you may not be eligible to receive a Georgia Weapons Carry License, see The Official Code of Georgia Annotated 16-11-129(b) and 16-11-129(d)(4).
How To Apply For Weapons Carry License
Georgia Weapons Carry License Applications must be submitted online. Applicants will complete the application and answer all questions online before coming to the court to sign the application. Completed applications remain in the queue for 30 days. You must come to the court within the 30 days to complete the process. You do not need to print your application so you may do this step from any device that is connected to the internet. The clerk of the Probate Court will print your application and witness your signature.
Applications must be done in person at the Probate Court in the county where you reside. Online forms for applications do not complete the process. Concealed Carry Services sells you information for $17.00, but does not have any connection with any Probate Court in Georgia and does not process Weapons Carry Licenses.
Fees
| Type of Fee | Cost | Payment Type |
|---|---|---|
| Original License | $78.25 | Cash, Local Check, or Credit Card (With Service Charge Fee) on or after August 1, 2020 |
| Renewal License | $30 | Cash, Local Check, or Credit Card (With Service Charge Fee) |
| Replacement of Lost or Stolen Card or Change of Address | $6 | Cash, Local Check, or Credit Card (With Service Charge Fee) |
Applications
The application and consent forms for fingerprinting and background checks must be completed at the Probate Court. Apply at the Chattooga County Probate Court during regular business hours Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
In order to apply you must:
- Present valid government issued photo ID with your street address on it
- Pay the application fee (cash, local check, or credit card with a service fee)
- $78.25 – Original license on or after August 1, 2020
- $30.00 – License renewal
Fingerprinting and Background Checks
After you complete the paperwork, you will have your fingerprints scanned by a Probate Court employee. He or she will then obtain a background check for the judge to review.
Fingerprinting is done between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Approval and Receipt of License
Approved licenses may be mailed as soon as 3 weeks from the date you have your fingerprints done. It may take longer if you have a criminal record that needs to be reviewed.
Your license is good for a period of 5 years, after which you must reapply if you wish to have a valid license.
If you lose your license or it is destroyed, you must report to the Probate Court immediately to be eligible for a Replacement License.
Renewals
Georgia Weapons Carry License Applications must also be submitted online for renewals. Applicants will complete the application and answer all questions online before coming to the court to sign the application.
A renewal will be issued under the following circumstances:
- A person who has a license issued by any Georgia Probate Court AND
- That license will expire within 90 days or has not been expired for more than 30 days
If, for any reason, the online application does not accept you as a “renewal,” please complete the application as “new” and the Clerk of the Probate Court can make the necessary change to “renewal” when you arrive.
Renewals must have a name-based background search even though fingerprints are not required. Chattooga County Probate Court will perform this check.
Change of Address
If your address changes during the time your Weapons Carry License is valid, you must change the address on your license by going to the Probate Court in the county that issued your license. If Chattooga County Probate Court issued your license, you can get the address changed by visiting Chattooga County Probate Court. You should bring with you:
- Valid government issued photo ID (GA Drivers License) with your new address on it.
- Reprint fee of $6.00 (cash, local check, or credit card with service fee).
If you have moved to Chattooga County and have a license issued by one of the other 158 counties in Georgia, you must return to that county to change your address. You must appear in person for this process and you must turn in your old license to the court before you will be given a new one, pursuant to Georgia law.