Concealed Carry Weapon License Requirements: ^{must meet ALL requirements}

Authority

California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a Sheriff of a county or the Chief or other head of municipal police department of any city, or city and county, shall issue or renew a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (Concealed Carry Weapon license).

Who Shall be Issued a License

The licensing authority specified in Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 shall issue a license to persons who are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202, meet residential requirements, and have completed a course of training. All applicants for a Concealed Carry Weapon license will be fingerprinted and state and federal records will be checked to determine if they are eligible to possess firearms. Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.

Completing the Application

California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county shall issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to prescribe a statewide standard application form for a CCW license.  Answering all the questions on the Application does not guarantee the issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. The determination whether to issue the license is at the discretion of the licensing authority. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority will have a written policy summarizing their requirements for issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. In addition, prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:

• The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
• The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400;
• The applicant is a resident of that city or city and county. Prima facie evidence of residency within the county or a city within the county includes, but is not limited to, the address where the applicant is registered to vote, the applicant’s filing of a homeowner’s property tax exemption, and other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the county or a city within the county is more than temporary or transient. The presumption of residency in the county or city within the county may be rebutted by satisfactory evidence that the applicant’s primary residence is in another county or city within the county;
• The course of training prescribed by the licensing authority has been completed.
• The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.

Character References

You must list a minimum of 3 references in your application. 1 of these 3 references must be a person described in subdivision (b) of Penal Code Section 273.5, if applicable. This would include a spouse or former spouse, a cohabitant or former cohabitant, a fiancé, or someone with whom the CCW applicant has, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother/father of the applicant’s child.
​
You must also list at least 1 reference whom is the applicant’s cohabitant, if applicable.

It is the responsibility of the CCW applicant to ensure that their listed references are available to answer phone calls or return messages from the Sheriff’s designee. Reference checks are typically conducted during business hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
CCW staff will make multiple attempts to contact each reference. If staff are unable to reach a reference after several attempts, a final warning will be sent to the applicant via email.
If the reference still cannot be contacted after repeated efforts, the applicant’s CCW application may be denied or withdrawn.

INITIAL CCW License Application

Prior to Filling Out This Application

Be prepared to provide the following:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (CA Drivers/State ID) with your current residential address.
• If you are not a United States citizen, you must provide proof of permanent residency (such as Permanent Resident Card - AKA "Green Card") that shows legal status two years past the date of your filed CCW application
• Proof of Residency: Must upload copies of at least 3 of the 4 documents below that reflect your name and your Contra Costa County residence address from one of the following service providers (Upload entire first page of invoice so that we can view service location and address where bill is mailed. Please note that you may only select one item from each line down below to fulfill your 3 proofs of residency. Statements must be dated within the last 90 days. We DO NOT accept past-due statements. We DO NOT accept any items other than those listed)
  • Current Utility Bill- gas/electric, water, garbage, home internet, cable/satellite
  • Current Lease/Car Registration or Car Insurance
  • Voter Registration Card
  • Redacted Tax Statements from the previous year
• If you do not have utility bills in your name, please contact the CCW Unit at ccwpermits@so.cccounty.us.
• Active-Duty Military members need to provide the following documents:
  • Home State Driver's License
  • Military ID
  • Current Station Orders
  • If renting or leasing, copy of rental/lease agreement.
  • Copies of separate utility bills: gas, water, electric, or trash (2 minimum).

Fingerprint/Live Scan

During the application process, all initial (new) applicants will be given specific instructions on when to get fingerprinted (Live Scan).

A background check will be conducted through the Department of Justice to assure the applicant does not have history which prohibits them by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm (see “Firearms Prohibiting Categories” (DOJ BOF 4012, pgs. 1-3).

 Please do not complete your live scan until instructed to do so.

RENEWAL APPLICANTS

• Valid government-issued photo ID (CA Drivers/State ID) with current residental address. 

Renewal applicants are not required to complete a new live scan.

MODIFICATION REQUEST FOR ADDRESS, NAME or FIREARM CHANGE

Whether you are updating your firearms, name, or address, you must still add your firearms in the system when submitting your modification application.

If requesting a modification for a Firearm Change:

1. Please download and complete the DOJ Modification Form (BOF 4502 - click here) and enter the new weapon that will appear on your license. DO NOT SEND THIS FORM DIRECTLY TO THE DOJ.
2. Upload the completed BOF 4502 form to your application.
3. You will be required to complete a qualification with your new firearm

If changing your home address :

1. Please download and complete the DOJ Modification Form (BOF 4502 - click here) and enter the new address that will appear on your license. DO NOT SEND THIS FORM DIRECTLY TO THE DOJ.
2. Upload the completed BOF 4502 form to your application.
3. A recent utility bill/statement and proof of address change with DMV (a copy of the online confirmation is acceptable) showing permanent residency within Contra Costa County. An acceptable form of proof would be current back to back utility bills.

If changing your name:

1. Please download and complete the DOJ Modification Form (BOF 4502 - click here) and enter the new name that will appear on your license. DO NOT SEND THIS FORM DIRECTLY TO THE DOJ.
2. Upload the completed BOF 4502 form to your application.
3. Legal Document stating completed legal name change (marriage certificate, court documents, etc.)
4. An updated valid identification card that contains your photograph.

Training Required

Following are parameters on training:

• Effective January 1st, 2024, Senate Bill 2 requires that the firearms training course for initial CCW applications be a minimum of 16 hours and for CCW renewal applications by a minimum of 8 hours - Penal Code 26165.  
• New (“initial) permittees will provide proof of training dated no more than two years prior to the date of the applicant’s DOJ notice regarding eligibility to possess firearms.
• Renewing permittees will provide proof of training dated within the permittee’s current permit term and contemporaneous with the permit expiration.
• Applicants will arrange their own training and provide proof of completion of training to the Office of the Sheriff.  Office of the Sheriff staff will not arrange training for applicants or recommend trainers.
• Applicants may pursue training after notification of approval for a permit. Applicants may also provide proof of training at the time of application submittal; see above for timelines regarding training completion.
• ONLINE AND REMOTE TRAINING ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF TRAINING. ALL TRAINING MUST BE DONE IN PERSON.

Click here for the PROOF OF TRAINING FORM FOR RESIDENTS and PROOF OF TRAINING FORM FOR NON-RESIDENTS

For More Information, Contact:

Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
1850 Muir Road.
Martinez, CA 94553

Telephone: 925 655 0059 (CCW Unit)
Email: ccwpermits@so.cccounty.us

For Technical Support, Contact:

Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com