Hours to Apply: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Thursday)

Please take into consideration that the entire application process will take 30 minutes to complete so please arrive no later than *4:00pm to ensure ample time to complete the entire process.

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Fees to Apply for Weapons Carry License

• Original WCL Application with fingerprinting included $84.00*
  *this fee includes license application fee, fingerprinting, background search and mailing
• Renewal WCL Application $38.00
• Original WCL Application Retired Law Enforcement $15.50
• Renewal WCL Application Retired Law Enforcement $7.00
• Temporary License with a Renewal Application $1.00
• Replacement fee for a lost or stolen WCL is $6.00

All fees are nonrefundable.

Please note: there will be a 2.75% service fee assessed to any credit/debit card transaction.

Probate Court only accepts credit card, debit cards, cash, money orders or cashier's checks in the exact amount for Marriage Licenses and Pistol Permits. Probate Court does not accept checks for Marriage Licenses and Pistol Permits.

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Requirements

• MINIMUM AGE

  To apply for a firearms license in this court, you must be 21 years of age or older and be a resident of Chatham County. If the applicant is AT LEAST 18, has completed basic training in the armed forces of the United States AND provides proof that he or she is actively serving or has been honorably discharged they may be issued a license if no other prohibitors apply.

  If you are between the ages of 18 and 21, the following documents are required for application: an active duty ID card, copy of orders to Hunter Army Airfield or proof of residency in Chatham County, and documentation showing completion of basic training.

• APPEAR IN PERSON

  All applicants must appear in person complete an application in the Probate Court which is located in Room 509 of the Chatham County Courthouse at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, Georgia. Map & Directions

  Public computers are available at Probate Court for completion of Weapons Carry License (WCL) applications. To complete applications using these public computers, you must have an email address to register. Paper applications are available for persons with limited computer skills.

• YOU MUST BRING TO COURT
  • Valid state (Georgia) government-issued ID (driver’s license or photo identification card) which shows your correct name and your current Chatham County address.
    • However, if that current address on your ID is a post office (P.O.) box address, you must also bring two current documents which show your street address, such as your utility (water, electric, or gas) bill, your property tax statement, or your lease or mortgage statements.

   

• CITIZENSHIP
  • If you are NOT a U.S. Citizen you must bring with you at least one of the following documentation which shows your immigration status:
    1. I-94 Form (ID Card) with an 11 digit admission number that starts with AR or USCIS; or
    2. ID Card that has been assigned to you by Immigration & Custom Enforcement (ICE).
    Regardless of whether you are a US citizen, if you were born outside the United States you must show a certified birth certificate or a passport which shows your country of birth.

   

• MILITARY RESIDENCE EXCEPTION
  • All military applicants must show valid military identification card and valid state government-issued ID (driver’s license or photo identification card).
  • If you are an active duty member of US armed forces whose military “home of record” is in Chatham County, Georgia, you only need show a valid state (Georgia) government-issued ID (driver’s license or photo identification card) which gives your correct name and your current Chatham County address.
  • If you are an active duty member of US armed forces whose military “home of record” is somewhere other than Chatham County, Georgia, you must show:
    1. orders which station you at Ft. Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield, and
    2. proof of current street address in Chatham County, such as your current utility (water, electric, or gas) bill, your property tax statement, or your lease or mortgage statements.

   

• DO YOUR HOMEWORK
  • Read Federal and State laws to determine if you are eligible to obtain a Weapons Carry License:
    O.C.G.A. § 16-11-129
    The Gun Control Act of 1968 18 U.S.C. §§ 921 et seq.
    Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 Public Law 103-159
    WCL Federal and Georgia Prohibitors
  • If you believe you have documentation to overcome or explain a prohibitor on your record, bring that documentation with you and file it with your application.

   

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The WCL Application Process Information

• LICENSES ISSUED BY ANOTHER COUNTY:

  Applications made by a license holder whose current or previous license was issued by another county will be subjected to verification by previous court. If there are any discrepancies, the applicant may be subject to fingerprinting again.

• Weapons Carry Licenses are valid for five (5) years unless revoked by Court order. All permits will be sent to you by mail at the address you provide in the application.

• RENEWALS
  Applications made 90 days prior to the expiration of the current license or within 30 days after expiration of the previous license shall be considered renewal licenses according to the guidance document. The cost of a renewal is $38.00 and you must complete an application in Probate Court. If you are applying for a renewal the following documents are required for application: Driver's license or state ID card issued by Chatham County, and your existing Georgia weapons carry permit.

• RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (RLE)
  Any person who has served as a law enforcement officer in Georgia or Federal Government for at least:
  • Ten of the 12 years immediately preceding the retirement of such person as a law enforcement officer or
  • Ten years and left such employment as a result of a disability arising in the line of duty and
  • Retired or left such employment in good standing with a state or federal certifying agency and receives benefits under the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund or from a county, municipal, State of Georgia, state authority, federal, private sector, individual, or educational institution retirement system or program
  shall be entitled to be issued a weapons carry license at the reduced fee of $15.50 for an original application and $7.00 for a renewal application. Applicants will be required to provide to Probate Court proof of retirement in good standing (e.g., badge, original on law enforcement agency letterhead). O.C.G.A. §16-11-129(h)
  
  
• LOST OR STOLEN WEAPONS CARRY LICENSE
  If your license is lost, damaged, or stolen, you may obtain a replacement. You must report such loss or damage to this court within 48 hours of discovering it. If your license is damaged, you should bring it with you.
  Replacement Fee: $6.00 Cash, Debit, or Credit Card
  
  
• DENIALS
  If the permit is denied, there is NO REFUND.
  
  
• APPEALS AND REQUESTS FOR HEARING
  If you have received a denial of your application and wish to file an appeal for a hearing, the request must be in writing and the filing fee is $30.00.
  
  
• GUN SAFETY CLASSES
  Information on gun safety classes is available by contacting the Chatham County Sheriff's Office.
  
  
• STATES ENTITLED TO FIREARM RECIPROSITY
  Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia*, West Virginia, Wisconsin* and Wyoming.
  
  *Virginia and Wisconsin recognize only those Georgia licenses issued to persons 21 years of age or older; Georgia recognizes all Virginia and Wisconsin licenses.
  
  As always, Georgia firearms permit holders should familiarize themselves with the individual requirements and limitations on firearms permits in any of the reciprocating states where they wish to exercise their rights.
  
  Attorney General Chris Carr Adds Virginia to List of States Entitled to Georgia’s Firearm License Reciprocity

 

If you have any further questions specific to Weapons Carry Licenses, please call
(912) 652-7264 Option 3