How to apply for or renew a shotgun certificate

Although you do not need a shotgun certificate to enjoy a day’s shooting - either game or clay - as you get more involved in shooting you are likely to want to get one, while those who already hold a certificate will need to renew it every five years. Anyone who wants to own a shotgun in the UK requires a shotgun certificate. You also need a shotgun certificate to buy ammunition. These are issued by local police forces. However, the process of applying for or renewing a certificate is not as straightforward as it might be and it is important to get it right the first time around as there are often lengthy waits for certificates to be approved once submitted.

The basics of applying or for renewing your certificate

Not all police forces are the same and they all review and change their processes from time to time. However, here are some basic guidelines:

The easiest thing to do is to Google your local firearms Department and either apply online or download an application which you will then fill out and send in to the firearms officer. You can also start the process and find the details of what information and supporting documents that you will need. via https://www.gov.uk/shotgun-and-firearm-certificates.

You will have to:

• complete an application form
• provide 1 passport photograph
• have 1 referee for a shotgun certificate
• pay the fee for the certificate you are applying for

Not all of us are confident with applications online which will also require uploading a photograph, which complies with the police recommendations, and any other information. AS such you may prefer to download a paper application and fill it in in the conventional way. You can forward this in with your cheque, photographs and any other supporting documentation that is required. 

How much does it cost to get a shotgun certificate

Currently fees are in the region of £80 for grant of a shotgun certificate and £49 for a renewal.

How long does it take for a shotgun certificate to be granted or renewed?

There is a huge disparity in the length of time police forces take to issue shotgun certificates - some forces turn them around in a matter of weeks, while others can take many months. It is always advisable to apply well in advance in order to account for these delays.

How often do I need to renew my shotgun certificate?

Shotgun certificates are valid for five years, after which you will need to apply for a renewal of your certificate.

What information will I have to provide to get my shotgun certificate?

Along side your name, address and contact details, there are a number of other details you will be required to provide on your application form:

• Details of the shotguns you own
• Details of your security arrangements for storing your shotgun
• Details of any criminal convictions or written cautions
• A medical declaration stating whether you suffer from any of the following:
  • Acute stress reaction as a result of trauma.
  • Suicidal thoughts or self harm
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Dementia\
  • Mania, bipolar or psychotic illness
  • Personality disorder
  • Severe neurological impairment
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Any other mental or physical condition of concern
  • A terminal illness

Do I need a letter from my GP to get a shotgun certificate?

Some police forces only require a personal declaration and accept this. However at the time of writing approximately half require a medical pro forma form filled in by the GP which will ask about all of these questions. 

A full list of those police forces that require this can be found on ShootCert.co.uk 

However there will soon be a publication of new statutory guidance by the Home Office. Its contents will most probably include a requirement for all applicants to submit medical verification. 

Do GPs charge for providing medical verification for applications?

Yes they do and sometimes the cost can be exorbitant several hundred pounds. It was in fact appear the GPs don’t want to be bothered with this service for a number of reasons. That’s already explained they can quite legally refuse to provide this service.

Can a GP refuse to provide a medical verification?

Yes. The GP may have personal reasons for not wanting to support firearms ownership or they may have conscientious objections. Or the predicted turnaround could just be too long for your requirements.

If the GP won’t provide you with medical verification the police department will not process your application.

My GP has refused to provide medical verification, or wants to charge me a huge fee - what can I do?

Unfortunately an ever increasing number of GPs, for any of a variety of reasons, are refusing to help and will not provide this medical form or otherwise charge exorbitant fees, which unfortunately they are legally entitled to do. This basically leaves the applicant either high and dry or significantly out of pocket which they may ill afford. 

This means that the applicant or certificate holder can’t get verification and the police will not progress the application without it. That is the situation as it stands today. You may well have run into this problem yourself already or know someone who has. 

However, there are services that allow you to get medical verification if your GP being unhelpful, such as ShootCert. When you use a service like ShootCert, an independent doctor will scrutinise your medical notes, bound by General Medical Council confidentiality, and then provide the relevant medical forms required by the Firearms Department simply and quickly and at a moderate cost - in the case of ShootCert this is a fixed fee of £50. ShootCert is Approved by BASC

What happens once I have submitted my shotgun certificate application forms?

When the police receive your application they will do their various background checks. A police officer known as the firearms enquiry officer (FEO) will come out and interview you. Once they’ve completed their enquiries they will come back to inspect the security arrangements that they require you to have. 

It can take several months for grant applications to be processed and incomplete applications - such as those without a medical report - delay the application process. A renewal is a much shorter process.