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 will need to provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references.  One of the three must be a person described in Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (b) (your spouse, or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child), if applicable.  At least one of the three must be your cohabitant if applicable.

The Application includes standardized questions to determine whether a Concealed Weapon Permit shall be issued.  The applicant will certify under penalty of perjury that all answers provided in the application are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  The applicant will also acknowledge that information disclosed on this application may be subject to public disclosure. Information provided in the application is subject to investigation and any false, dishonest, or incomplete answer to any question on the application may be grounds for denial or subsequent revocation of a Concealed Weapon Permit.  WARNING: IT IS A CRIME TO KNOWINGLY PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION ON AN APPLICATION TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON. 

DMV

Your home address must be current with the California DMV and you must be a resident of Merced County.  We are required to check DMV’s database to ensure your home address is updated and current.  You cannot update your home address simply by registering a vehicle or updating your vehicle registration.  It can take over 72 hours for the DMV database to reflect the changes.  It is not required that your actual driver’s license reflect your current address as the DMV does not normally issue you a new license simply because you update your address. We will check the DMV database to make sure it matches your current home address.

Military

If you served in the US Military you will need to upload a copy of your DD-214 that displays the type of discharge you received. For active military personnel, please provide a current Command letter and a copy of your current military orders showing duty status/location to establish residence.

US Residency

If you were not born in the United States you will be required to upload verification that you are here in the US legally by uploading to your application:

• Naturalization Certificate
• Resident Alien Card (be sure to upload the back side showing the expiration date, if applicable).
• Valid US Passport
• Certificate of Birth Abroad

Proof of Residency

When submitting an application for a NEW, RENEWAL or Address MODIFICATION, all applicants will be required to upload the following:

• All proofs of residency must include your home address (we do not accept P.O. Boxes as addresses!)  You will need to scan two (2) items for proof of residency.  At least one (1) MUST be a Utility Bill.  The proofs of residency must be at least the entire first page of the bill, including the tear-off, mail-out portion so we can view both the location of service and the address where the bill is mailed and ensure there is no past due balance.   The proofs of residency must be current.  We DO NOT accept overdue bills.  We also do not accept documents from DMV, lease/rental agreements, tax bills, nor insurance policy statements.  If your bills/statements are not delivered to your residence, please go ONLINE and print out a copy of the actual bill/statement and upload them into your application by following the procedure to ADD FILES.   Acceptable proof of residency should be the most current bills that you receive MONTHLY.  At least one document should be a utility bill:
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Cell phone bill
• Credit card statement
• Mortgage statement

Firearms

A total of five (5) firearms can be listed on your permit.  Be sure each firearm you list on your Concealed Weapon Permit is registered to you in the state of California.  The firearm(s) cannot be registered to any other family member.  You may not add rifle caliber weapons (AR-Pistol, AK-Pistol, etc.) to your CCW permit.

Training Required

Effective January 1, 2024:

If applying for a NEW Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be a minimum of 16 hours.

If applying for a RENEWAL Concealed Carry Weapon license, a 8 hour course approved by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance.

If applying for a MODIFICATION to your current Concealed Carry Weapon license that includes a firearm change, you will need to submit training certifications from a traning vendor approved by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

• For a list of training vendors approved by Merced County Sheriff’s Office, visit link below: 

https://www.co.merced.ca.us/3266/CCW-Approved-Instructor-Classes

Order Number and Password

After you submit a NEW, RENEWAL, MODIFICATION or DUPLICATE application and pay your fees, you will receive an email providing you with your Order Number.  Please print this email out and save it for your records because you will be required to access your Order throughout various stages of the CCW process.  Also, please do not forget your password.   To access your Order go to the top of the page on this website, click on ORDER TRACKER, then type in your Order Number and password.

APPLICATIONS

NEW Applicant – prior to completing a NEW Application please be prepared to upload the following:

• A copy of your valid California driver’s license, or California ID.
• Two (2) items for proof of residency - One should be a Utility Bill (see Proof of Residency section above; P.O. Boxes are not allowed!).
• If applicable, upload your DD214 or NG Form 22 (National Guard) with type of discharge included.
• Upload verification that you are in the US legally if you were not born in the US.

You may list the handguns you initially wish to list on your permit; however, the final handguns listed on your CCW permit will be based upon the information provided on the Training and Qualification verification documents your Firearms and Qualification Instructor will provide to you to upload later in the process.

The steps in the NEW Application process are as follows:

1. Submit a New Application (click on the appropriate link/type of application you are filing on the left side of the webpage).  If you select the wrong type of application we cannot convert it over to the proper type for you (your application will be denied and you will have to start the process over).  To submit a New Application, please follow these steps:

a. Type your personal information into the online Application (be sure to select the appropriate type of application from the selections on the left side of this web page).  Please be sure to answer all of the Application questions truthfully because it is a crime to provide false information on the application.  Once you complete your Application it cannot be revised.  The only method you can use to correct incorrect information or mistakes is to write or type the information on a separate piece of paper and upload it to your completed CCW Application by following the ADDING FILES/ DOCUMENTS procedures outlined below. 

b. Upload all required documents.  Please BE SURE to review the Proof of Residency section above regarding acceptable proof of residency.   

c. Schedule your appointment for LiveScan fingerprinting.  All appointments are conducted at 700 W. 22nd St. Merced, CA 95340.  The appointment calendar is entirely client operated.  If you desire an earlier appointment, please check the appointment calendar regularly because a rescheduled or cancelled appointment will open up that appointment slot.  By accessing your Order and selecting a new appointment date, the other appointment will automatically be cancelled once you confirm this decision (see instructions below regarding how to access your Application Order). You can view your appointment details at any time by accessing your Application Order

d. Pay initial fees (follow online instructions). 

e. Once you have successfully completed all steps in the application process you will receive an email providing you with your ORDER NUMBER.  Please be sure to retain this ORDER NUMBER and remember your password because you will be required to access your Application Order in the future to upload additional documents. 

f. You will also need to print out the City Resident – CCW Applicant Local Police Agency Records Inquiry form and take this form to your local police department if you live within city limits.  The form will be completed & signed by the local Police Department.  Once you have this signed form, you must upload this completed form to you application via the Order Tracker or bring the form to the Sheriff's Office.

**If you live within the Merced city limits, the Merced Police Department is the ONLY police department that forwards this completed form and any/all records directly to us so applicants living within Merced Police Department jurisdiction only need to go in and turn the request form into the Merced Police Department.

ACCESSING your submitted CCW Application Order and ADDING FILES/DOCUMENTS:

At the top of the website click on the ORDER TRACKER button [if using an iPad or smart phone, or any device with a screen smaller than a standard computer monitor you will click on the MORE button which is often shown with three dots (…)].  

Once you access the ORDER TRACKER you will need to type in your Order number and password to access your application and add documents.  Scroll to the bottom of your Order and click on ADD FILES (you have to save the document(s) you want to upload to your Order Tracker by first saving them to your desktop or device).  When you click on ADD FILES, you go to the stored documents on your computer, and select the document you want to upload, and then click on ADD FILES.  Once this is completed there will be a list of the documents displayed so you can confirm they were successfully uploaded.  It is advisable to specifically name each document you save to your desktop so it will be much easier for you to verify which document(s) were uploaded and make it easier for CCW staff to access specific documents by name. 

2. All remaining steps and the uploading of all remaining required documents must be completed within thirty (30) days of the date on the Approval email.  

3. Once all required documents have been uploaded and the DOJ/FBI background clearances have been received (typically received within two weeks), your application will be approved and you will receive an email requesting that you go back online and make your final payments.  Please DO NOT come to the CCW Office to pick up your CCW permit until after you receive our final email advising you to do so. 

4. Staff will process your application in order by date/time of submission and finalize your application.  You will receive an email advising you that your application has been approved and instructions to pick-up the license.  

5. PICK UP DATES: Please call 209-385-7559 to schedule a pick-up date and time.

RENEWAL – CCW Permit Holders may renew their CCW permits 30 days prior to the permit’s expiration. 

NOTICE TO ALL CCW PERMIT HOLDERS:  Pursuant to Penal Code Section 26210 and CCW Bureau Policies and Procedures, all CCW Permit Holders are required to notify the CCW Bureau of any change in residency, temporary or permanent, within 10 days of the date they move by submitting an online Modification Application for an address change (note:  please upload only the documents associated with a change of address; it is not necessary to upload training and qualification documents for an address change only).  Please follow the instructions for submitting a Modification Application for an address change (see instructions below).   FAILURE TO DO SO RENDERS YOUR CCW PERMIT INVALID!!

Prior to completing a RENEWAL Application, please be prepared to upload the following:

• A copy of your valid California driver’s license, or California ID, plus Military ID if applicable.
• Two (2) items for proof of residency (refer to above section regarding acceptable Proofs of Residency; P.O. Boxes are NOT allowed!).
• If applicable, upload your DD214 or NG Form 22 with type of discharge included.
• Upload verification that you are in the US legally if you were not born in the US.
• 8-Hour Firearms Training Certificate that lists the date of your training and qualification and each weapon you qualified with that will appear on your permit (refer to above Firearms section). 

PLEASE NOTE:   Renewal Applicants must answer all questions on the application truthfully and honestly, even if the information has previously been disclosed.  

Please bring in your old CCW permit and turn it in.  Your Renewal permit will not be issued if you do not turn in the old permit.  New issuance dates and dates of expiration many times will overlap so you cannot process two CCW permits.

MODIFICATION Applications are submitted to change your home address.  They must be submitted within 10 days of the day that you move and you are also required per California State law to change your home address with the California DMV.  We will check the DMV database to ensure you have done so.  Modification Applications can also be submitted to add/delete firearms on your permit.

Prior to Completing a MODIFICATION Application, be prepared to upload the following:

• Upload a copy of your valid California driver’s license, or California ID.
  
• IF CHANGING YOUR HOME ADDRESS:   Be prepared to upload two (2) items for proof of residency (refer to above section Proofs of Residency).
• IF ADDING A NEW FIREARM: Be prepared to upload your certificate showing you qualified with your firearm with one of the approved instructors. This can be the same place you completed your 8 hour or 4 hour Safety course.

All Modification applications will be processed in order by date/time of submission and they will not take priority over New and Renewal applications. 

DUPLICATE Applications are submitted to request a duplicate copy of a lost/stolen permit.  Prior to Completing a DUPLICATE Application, be prepared to upload the following:

• Upload a copy of your valid California driver’s license, or California ID. 

• Upload a copy of a police report you must file to document the loss/theft of your permit.  This report must be filed with the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the loss/theft occurred.

Gaining competency with firearms is like learning to drive a car or fly an airplane. You need expert instruction and practice. There is no shortcut. If you are not willing to invest the time and effort to become competent, then having a firearm and trying to use it can, in many instances, be more hazardous than any impending threat.

For More Information, Contact:

Merced County Sheriff's Office
700 W. 22nd St
Merced, CA 95340

Phone: (209) 385-7559
Fax: (209) 385-7696
Email: mercedsheriffccw@countyofmerced.com

For Technical Support, Contact:

Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com
Phone: (855) 642-2453