How to get an illinois conceled carry licnese

Illinois Concealed Carry License Application Process

How to Apply for a Illinois Concealed Carry License

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022.

• The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.

• FOID card applicants will not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their concealed carry license, they will be eligible for automatic renewal without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process.

However, it is not known when this process will be implemented. Therefore, the following steps to apply for a permit have not yet been updated.

Step 1:

Apply for a FOID. Complete the online application for a FOID. Go to the Illinois State Police website and get a user ID and password. You will need the following:

• A Valid driver’s license or state identification card

• A head and shoulder electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days

• $10.00 payable with a credit card or electronic check

You will be notified by email if your FOID application has been approved.

Step 2:

Complete your firearms training course provided by an ISP-approved instructor.

Step 3:

Once you have applied for and/or received your FOID card, complete the online application for a CCL. There are also options for submitting paper applications as well as a phone-in method (217-782-7980). The following documents are required:

• A valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID

• An Illinois State Police user ID and password

• An electronic copy of your training certificate(s)

• A valid FOID or a FOID in process

• An electronic head and shoulders photo taken within the previous 30 days

• Provide the last 10 years of residency

• For non-residents

  • An electronic copy of a valid concealed carry license from the applicant's home state

  • A notarized affidavit documenting the applicant’s eligibility under both state and federal laws, understanding of the laws pertaining to possession and transport of firearms, acknowledgment the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Police and the Illinois courts and that the applicant meets the mental health standards in Illinois to obtain a firearm

• Optional Fingerprints— An applicant is not required to submit fingerprints with the application; however, the department has an additional 30 days to review an application that does not include fingerprints. If opting to provide fingerprints, go to a fingerprint vendor and have your prints taken.

NOTE: Applicants will be assigned a transaction control number (TCN) at the time of fingerprinting and will be required to retain that TCN to complete the application. Specify to the Live Scan vendor that your fingerprint application is for the concealed carry application.

Make your payment.

Step 4:

Allow 90 days for processing, or 120 days if electronic fingerprints are not provided. *The backlog of applications vary, however, applicants for FOIDs and CCLs can view the average processing time for FOIDs and CCLs here.

Step 5:

You will be notified if your CCL application has been approved.