FFL 03 / COE Roadmap

[SandHill]

Apologies to my fellow Calgunners because I ma sure this is our there somewhere, but I have spent 20 minutes searching and can't find it. Can someone point me to thread or a sticky on the process to get an FFL 03 and COE?

Thanks!

[Quiet]

1. Submit a completed ATF Form 7 to BATFE.
2. Create an account on CFARS.
3. Download and complete a Request for Live Scan for a COE, then get live scanned using that form.
5. Submit a COE application, that references your live scan ATI #, via CFARS.
6. Wait to be approved.

[SandHill]

Thanks, Quiet!

[nbk992h]

I would add to number 1....make sure you remember to send your payment of $30 along with your application....If you forget, it will take that much longer for your 03 FFL application to get process (prob will be sent back to you for non payment...but who knows how long that will take...I am not certain of this....they could just contact you for payment, but I would not hold my breath for that lol). I have used for my original and renewal application a money order, as it is easy for me to see if it has been "cashed" yet by the ATF (what day) before I got my initial and renewal 03 FFL. If for whatever reason your application were to "disappear" on its way to the ATF, your personal checking information (i.e. account number and address) or credit card info will not potentially fall in the wrong hands. I am sure many people send them a personal check or their credit card info all the time....but having worked at a bank for many years, I have seen how easy it is for bank and credit card fraud to happen via "disappearing" mail.

One more FYI.....From looking at the application re: credit card payment:

"I authorize ATF to charge my Credit/Debit Card the above amount. Your credit/debit card will be charged the above stated amount upon receipt of your application and a charge from “ATF Licensing Fee” will be reflected on your credit/debit card statement. In the event a license is NOT issued, the above amount will be credited to the credit/debit card noted above"

I would imagine then (based on the wording for credit card payment type), that if for some reason your FFL application was not approved, they would not cash your check or money order/keep your money). Nice of them, considering I seriously doubt the state of CA would for any State fees relating to your COE.

So in sum, if you have any doubts whether or not you would pass ATF/ CA DOJ background check, try to find out before you submit you FFL application and live scan/COE application.

Hope this helps too

[SandHill]

Thanks, nbk992h, but everything is in including FFL Application with my credit card info. Guess I'll just have to take my chances on that.

So I mailed FFL 03, copy to police chief, went on CFARS, printed LiveScan form, got Live Scan. Went on CFARS, filled out COE application, submitted.

Did not upload copy of my Driver's License. It didn't ask for it and I did not see any place to upload documents. My DL is not Real ID so I was expecting to upload my passport as well. no place to do that.

I don't want to wait a month (or longer) for someone to review, then send DL nd passport, then wait another month (or longer).

Should I email my ID's? Can someone tell me how to upload? I don't see anything in the instructions about it.

[Quiet]

Went on CFARS, filled out COE application, submitted.

Did not upload copy of my Driver's License. It didn't ask for it and I did not see any place to upload documents. My DL is not Real ID so I was expecting to upload my passport as well. no place to do that.

The "fine print" section on top of the online form had the notice that gave instructions on how to upload your required documents.

The bottom of the online form had a "File Upload Section", which allowed you to upload files (jpg, pdf) from your computer to attach to your online form.

If you submitted your form without any of the required files attached, you should receive an email from CA DOJ BOF informing you that your submission is incomplete and to log back into CFARS to correct the issues with your submission.
^Email tends to arrive within 48 hours of your submission.

[SandHill]

The "fine print" section on top of the online form had the notice that gave instructions on how to upload your required documents.

The bottom of the online form had a "File Upload Section", which allowed you to upload files (jpg, pdf) from your computer to attach to your online form.

If you submitted your form without any of the required files attached, you should receive an email from CA DOJ BOF informing you that your submission is incomplete and to log back into CFARS to correct the issues with your submission.
^Email tends to arrive within 48 hours of your submission.

Oops!!! Guess I didn't read close enough. Oh well, if I get another chance to upload in 48 hours, not a big deal. I was afraid it might be weeks or months.

I got pretty well stocked in all my main calibers before the online ammo rules came into effect. Just thinking about adding a caliber to the line-up.

[-hanko]

Your payment will be cashed by check or debited from a CC or debit card within a day or 2 of the your application received by BATFE. It can take a week or more for them to check your records and actually mail the C&R license.

IF your application is not approved by BATFE, your payment will be returned. That may take a while.

[otteray]

When it comes time to renew your COE in the future, remember to upload both your DL and a scan of your FFL License Information Card. The FFL card scan may be a new policy, as is was not included on the CFARS site (as far as I could tell) nor when I had renewed in previous years.

[SandHill]

I received an email from CFARS today asking for my FFL 03 number, and telling m that if I don't have one I need to provide reason for for applying for COE. I told them I was applying for FFL 03 concurrently but have not received number yet. We will see if that works.

Interestingly, the email did not mention the fact that I failed to upload ID documents. However, I went online and it was now possible to upload docs to my application so I did.

My CA DL is not a Real ID so I was planning to use my passport for secondary ID. Surprisingly, passport was not on the list of acceptable ID's! So I clicked on "Certificate of Citizenship Form N-560 or N-561" and uploaded my passport. They will probably kick it back and I will have to try to figure out where my birth certificate is.

It may be time to throw in the towel and get a Real IS driver's license. I have been trying to avoid the dreaded trip to the DMV

Ah, the joys of living in California.......

[SandHill]

Got my COE

Applied for CA COE on August 25, was issued yesterday Sept. 15. That is faster than I had been led to expect.

I applied for FFL 03 at the same time, it hasn't come yet. I thought that would be faster than COE. Should I be concerned? What is best way to follow up if so? Phone? Email?

[Quiet]

Applied for CA COE on August 25, was issued yesterday Sept. 15. That is faster than I had been led to expect.

I applied for FFL 03 at the same time, it hasn't come yet. I thought that would be faster than COE. Should I be concerned? What is best way to follow up if so? Phone? Email?

No need to be concerned.

Typically, the CA DOJ COE approval process is faster than the ATF 03-FFL approval process.

[SandHill]

No need to be concerned.

Typically, the CA DOJ COE approval process is faster than the ATF 03-FFL approval process.

OK, thanks. I am surprised. CA government is inefficient in general, and it seems to me purposely inefficient on everything else related to firearm approvals, so I figured they would be the laggards.

[hollowpoint67]

I received an email from CFARS today asking for my FFL 03 number, and telling m that if I don't have one I need to provide reason for for applying for COE. I told them I was applying for FFL 03 concurrently but have not received number yet. We will see if that works.

Interestingly, the email did not mention the fact that I failed to upload ID documents. However, I went online and it was now possible to upload docs to my application so I did.

My CA DL is not a Real ID so I was planning to use my passport for secondary ID. Surprisingly, passport was not on the list of acceptable ID's! So I clicked on "Certificate of Citizenship Form N-560 or N-561" and uploaded my passport. They will probably kick it back and I will have to try to figure out where my birth certificate is.

It may be time to throw in the towel and get a Real IS driver's license. I have been trying to avoid the dreaded trip to the DMV

Ah, the joys of living in California.......

Im in this exact same boat as I applied concurrently. I do have a real ID though so that I can submit to hopefully get the ball rolling.

[-hanko]

I would add to number 1....make sure you remember to send your payment of $30 along with your application....If you forget, it will take that much longer for your 03 FFL application to get process (prob will be sent back to you for non payment...but who knows how long that will take...I am not certain of this....they could just contact you for payment, but I would not hold my breath for that lol). I have used for my original and renewal application a money order, as it is easy for me to see if it has been "cashed" yet by the ATF (what day) before I got my initial and renewal 03 FFL. If for whatever reason your application were to "disappear" on its way to the ATF, your personal checking information (i.e. account number and address) or credit card info will not potentially fall in the wrong hands. I am sure many people send them a personal check or their credit card info all the time....but having worked at a bank for many years, I have seen how easy it is for bank and credit card fraud to happen via "disappearing" mail.

One more FYI.....From looking at the application re: credit card payment:

"I authorize ATF to charge my Credit/Debit Card the above amount. Your credit/debit card will be charged the above stated amount upon receipt of your application and a charge from “ATF Licensing Fee” will be reflected on your credit/debit card statement. In the event a license is NOT issued, the above amount will be credited to the credit/debit card noted above"

I would imagine then (based on the wording for credit card payment type), that if for some reason your FFL application was not approved, they would not cash your check or money order/keep your money). Nice of them, considering I seriously doubt the state of CA would for any State fees relating to your COE.

So in sum, if you have any doubts whether or not you would pass ATF/ CA DOJ background check, try to find out before you submit you FFL application and live scan/COE application.(\)

It's always great to take a simple process and make it more complicated.

If there is an issue with you payment method, you'll be contacted within a week with the issue. If you're not sure of your checking account balance or if you cc or dc has enough money, don't mail your application until you are sure.

You payment will be taken by BATFE within a few days of receiving your application. Assuming they took your money, and you failed the BATFE requirements for the C&R license, you'll be mailed a government check.

No idea as to how COE payments are returned, as they're not used where i live.