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I had a work trip this week up in Washington state. I figured I'd go ahead and pick up the WA LTC which is and honored in other 24 states (so good in 25 total). I almost skipped getting it, as I have my Utah class scheduled for the end of the month. But I figured I'd do it just to see the process first-hand.
I called ahead the day before my trip, as I wanted to make sure of the location and process. The LTC form isn't available online, so really, other than bringing my state ID and funds, there was nothing I could do to prep. They said I could come any time up until 4:15pm, as after that they don't want a rush and run out of time - fair enough.
My meetings were from 8am - 5pm, and Bellevue PD is only open 8am - 5pm. So the only chance was during lunch. Fortunately, they are located literally across the the street from my meetings.
So at noon I jammed over. The public access to the BPD Records is a small room with a protective glass counter, not what I'm used to, but nothing wrong with it (just no privacy whatsoever). There was an older gentleman already filling out his LTC form and standing just to the left of the window opening at the counter. I didn't want to be rude and barge in, but I also only had a short amount of time, so I waited for a pause in their conversation (the gal behind the counter was processing his payment, and he was busy on his form), and asked if I could get their LTC form to start working on it while she was still working with him.
Somewhere in our first couple exchanges, after she found out I was a non-resident, she asked why I had come to Bellevue for my permit (which bothered me - just give me the form, don't hassle me) - not sure if she was trying to be a pain or just curious or what. As a non-resident US Citizen, I can apply at any Washington state law enforcement office (residents must apply with their local law enforcement office). I didn't let it throw me, and just answered politely that I was across the street at a work conference and it was a convenient office. No more questions along those lines, got the form, and started filling it out on a back counter so the older gentleman could have some privacy (although I could still hear everything said between the two).
We were told that the officer that does the fingerprinting was out on lunch and wouldn't be back until 1pm (greaaaat, thanks). The gentleman said he'd come back then, and I said I'd do the same. I was already out $52.50, so I guessed I'd just be a little late for my next work meeting.
They had a cool booklet that summarized the Washington firearm laws. I grabbed one and jammed to Subway across the street. I ate half a footlong sub and skimmed through the booklet - pretty nice. But I didn't linger, as I was intent on coming back at 12:45 to try to get in the front of the queue.
Fortunately, the officer was already back. He walked over to the side door and let me in to do the fingerprint thing. No ink, all digital, rolling the fingerprints, sometimes having to get some water sprayed on my fingers to make better contact (dry skin doesn't print well). I think we were done in less than 10 minutes, as I made it back to my meeting two minutes before 1pm.
Anyway, once I can scan and redact the form, I'll post it just for reference - looks a lot like the DROS form. Supposedly in 60 days, plus mailing time, I'll have my Washington LTC in hand.
I called ahead the day before my trip, as I wanted to make sure of the location and process. The LTC form isn't available online, so really, other than bringing my state ID and funds, there was nothing I could do to prep. They said I could come any time up until 4:15pm, as after that they don't want a rush and run out of time - fair enough.
My meetings were from 8am - 5pm, and Bellevue PD is only open 8am - 5pm. So the only chance was during lunch. Fortunately, they are located literally across the the street from my meetings.
So at noon I jammed over. The public access to the BPD Records is a small room with a protective glass counter, not what I'm used to, but nothing wrong with it (just no privacy whatsoever). There was an older gentleman already filling out his LTC form and standing just to the left of the window opening at the counter. I didn't want to be rude and barge in, but I also only had a short amount of time, so I waited for a pause in their conversation (the gal behind the counter was processing his payment, and he was busy on his form), and asked if I could get their LTC form to start working on it while she was still working with him.
Somewhere in our first couple exchanges, after she found out I was a non-resident, she asked why I had come to Bellevue for my permit (which bothered me - just give me the form, don't hassle me) - not sure if she was trying to be a pain or just curious or what. As a non-resident US Citizen, I can apply at any Washington state law enforcement office (residents must apply with their local law enforcement office). I didn't let it throw me, and just answered politely that I was across the street at a work conference and it was a convenient office. No more questions along those lines, got the form, and started filling it out on a back counter so the older gentleman could have some privacy (although I could still hear everything said between the two).
We were told that the officer that does the fingerprinting was out on lunch and wouldn't be back until 1pm (greaaaat, thanks). The gentleman said he'd come back then, and I said I'd do the same. I was already out $52.50, so I guessed I'd just be a little late for my next work meeting.
They had a cool booklet that summarized the Washington firearm laws. I grabbed one and jammed to Subway across the street. I ate half a footlong sub and skimmed through the booklet - pretty nice. But I didn't linger, as I was intent on coming back at 12:45 to try to get in the front of the queue.
Fortunately, the officer was already back. He walked over to the side door and let me in to do the fingerprint thing. No ink, all digital, rolling the fingerprints, sometimes having to get some water sprayed on my fingers to make better contact (dry skin doesn't print well). I think we were done in less than 10 minutes, as I made it back to my meeting two minutes before 1pm.
Anyway, once I can scan and redact the form, I'll post it just for reference - looks a lot like the DROS form. Supposedly in 60 days, plus mailing time, I'll have my Washington LTC in hand.
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