Renew COE. Where to Enter FFL-03 Info

[SkyHawk]

I had the same issue started two years ago. For this year renewal, I just enter my 03 number as part of collector section. It has been over 30 days and it is still being processed.

Mine took 36 days this year. I did not get asked about my 03 FFL, perhaps because it is in my CFARS profile

[1bulletBarney]

Last year when I submitted my COE renewal app I got the email from CADOJ that my app was incomplete and they wanted me to add my FFL 03 number. I copied & pasted a post from Dvrjon and challenged the DOJ on this issue. They completed the app and I got my COE updated without giving in...

I am done. The last time I used my FFL 03 & COE was when we could still have C&R long guns shipped to the address listed on the 03. We could snail mail a paper "notice of C&R acquisition" form to the CADOJ. CFARS is and has been FUBAR from the beginning. Sure, it's cheaper to renew the COE annually then to start from scratch. Other than being exempt from handgun 1 in 30 or exempt from 10 day hostage of C&R firearms, finding a vendor that will ship bulk ammo to your door or instate C&R long gun face to face transfer between COE/FFL 03's, I am done...

The joy is gone. When my FFL 03 expires I will shred documented info from my bound book and call it a day...

[G. Freeman]

So I got an incomplete notice today despite already having my renewed FFL info in my profile. The "comments" section would not take any info. When I hit submit, it just erases what I enter.

Tried to upload another document under "court documents" but it won't take a word document. Would have to take a pic which I don't want to do.

Everytime I renew, this takes such a long time and make my blood boil. This state has pretty much successfully clamped us down on every level possible.

Sent the email stating the fact that my FFL info is already in my profile.

[Dvrjon]

So I got an incomplete notice today despite already having my renewed FFL info in my profile. The "comments" section would not take any info. When I hit submit, it just erases what I enter.

Tried to upload another document under "court documents" but it won't take a word document. Would have to take a pic which I don't want to do.

Everytime I renew, this takes such a long time and make my blood boil. This state has pretty much successfully clamped us down on every level possible.

Sent the email stating the fact that my FFL info is already in my profile.

You can always tell them, "No".

[Odd_Ball]

2022 COE Renewal Timeline:

Renewal completed within 3 business days after declining to provide the FFL03 number.

• 09/28/2022 Renewal Submitted online (uploaded scan of DL)
• 11/01/2022 Received email notice of missing FFL03 number, incomplete application
• 11/02/2022 Replied by email declining to give FFL03 number and requesting completion of renewal application processing.
• 11/04/2022 Updated Renewal App on CFARS declining to give FFL03 & submitted an Issue report explaining the same. (NOTE: not sure if this is necessary)
• 11/07/2022 COE renewed (email received at 1:01 AM, Nov 7)

[Odd_Ball]

So I got an incomplete notice today despite already having my renewed FFL info in my profile. The "comments" section would not take any info. When I hit submit, it just erases what I enter.

I noticed the same thing when I was trying to add in the Comment field my sample email below explaining that the FFL03 is not required for them to complete the renewal application.

My comments kept disappearing when submitting, though maybe they are visible to the DOJ.

Sent the email stating the fact that my FFL info is already in my profile.

Sample email response below declining to provide the FFL03 number & requesting completion of the renewal.

Applicants shall electronically provide the following information to complete the renewal application:

(1) Applicant's full name; driver license type and identification number; email address; date of birth; residence street address; phone number; gender; United States citizenship; if not a United States citizen, the country of citizenship and the federal Alien Registration Number or federal I-94 number; and business type(s).

[kendog4570]

Slightly off topic, but when I moved I submitted for and received an AMENDED 0-1 FFL from ATF. Two digits were different from the original denoting I was now in a different federal district, otherwise everything else is the same except for address change. When time to renew my COE and other CA DOJ stuff they went bugf*@k and demanded I go through the entire COE process again. I told the flunky on the phone (this was way before CFARS) it is not a new license, it is amended, and to go look it up or ask their daddy, or whatever they had to do. Asked them to quote me chapter and verse where it said I had to do all that over again. Never got an answer, just my renewals a few days later with the amended addresses and such.
Don't let them make up rules and laws on you.

[G. Freeman]

I really appreciate all your responses. Yeah, next yr will no longer give my FFL-03 number and play their games. I appreciate also with the sample responses.

Will update you guys of the results.

[EM2]

tagged
thanks for the heads up, submitted my renewal a couple weeks ago.

[dummykid]

I submitted my renew on 11/03/2022, and its still pending.

[G. Freeman]

Gents,

Thanks so much for all your input. Here's the update:

Renewal sent 10/3. It was due to expire 11/20/22.
My FFL info was already under my profile when I renewed on 10/3.

11/6: notice of incomplete from CFARS requesting FFL-3. On the same day, I sent a response about my FFL info by forwarding a response to the COE@doj.ca.gov email.

11/15: No response yet so I sent another email directly to COE@doj.ca.gov

11/19: Approved

[1911-CV]

So Weird

The FFL03 is not required, and the DOJ will process the renewal without it when there is any push back from the applicant. But folks like G. Freemen get a request for the FFL03 when it is already in their profile.

Seems like this is all on autopilot with the DOJ staff just going through the motions.

[Dvrjon]

I really appreciate all your responses. Yeah, next yr will no longer give my FFL-03 number and play their games. I appreciate also with the sample responses.

Will update you guys of the results.

[EM2]

I received the CFARS FFL-03 email today, and I am within 9 days of expiration.

From: coe@doj.ca.gov

To:EM2

Subject: California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) Incomplete Notice

EM2

The California Department of Justice has received your electronic Certification of Eligibility (COE) application; however, it cannot be processed for the following reason(s): * Please provide your Federal Firearms License (FFL) Type 03 Collector of Curios and Relics FFL Number via email to the COE Unit at: COE@doj.ca.gov . If you do not have an FFL-03, please indicate the reason for wanting a COE in the email. Also be sure to include your first and last name and California Driver?s License/Identification Card number in your email response, thank you!
The information requested should be submitted by logging into the CFARS application https://cfars.doj.ca.gov and navigating to Certificate of Eligibility and selecting "COE Transaction History". If you have any questions, please use the Report an Issue feature in the CFARS application.

Thanks to 19K and Dvrjon I have provided the following response.

CFARS has notified me that my COE application is incomplete, indicating that I must submit an FFL-03 license to complete processing.

I have not been asked for this information during initial application or previous renewals. Would you please provide me with the reasons and authorities for requiring this information?
As my COE expires within 9 days, I would appreciate a response to this request no later than next week.
Alternatively, please accept the documentation I have submitted as meeting the stated requirements of statute and regulation and complete processing of my COE.

Thank you in advance for your favorable consideration.

EM2

I will let you know how it turns out.
And thanks everyone for the inspiration to push back against the gov.

[Mezcalfud]

My outlook reminder came up this weekend and I processed the renewal today, so I am 58 days until expiration.

I have always been luck with renewal timelines but have been reading of long delays past expiration. There has to be some recourse to the DOJ delaying processing?