COE + FFL03

[fifer55]

Hello and quick question:

-March 22 submitted my COE via CFARS
-March 23 sent in my FFL03 application to ATF and courtesy copy of my intention to CLEO (LAPD)
-March 30 ATF charges my card $30 for the FFL03
-April 23 email received from CFARS to submit my FFL03 NUMBER (application status: Incomplete)
*-April 24 submitted email to CA DOJ on the reason WHY I wanted a COE *
**-May 6 email received from CFARS to VERIFY my information, click "FINAL" submit (application status: In Progress)**
***-May 10 received, COE APPROVED for 1 year***

The email I got from CFARS is the following:

From: coe@doj.ca.gov

To:XXXXXX@GMAIL.COM

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

MY NAME
MY STREET
LOS ANGELES CA MY ZIP

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.

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.

Now, since this is the first time I am doing this, do I just wait for the FFL03 license to be delivered? I assume yes, but I want to make sure there is no time limit on this request. Once delivered (I will have my FFL03 number), then I respond to CFARS request?

Any help would be appreciated!

*UPDATE
**UPDATE v2
*** UPDATE v3

[nbk992h]

I gave them mine on renewal applications...but they did not ask for it 4 years ago when I first applied for my COE....

There has been posts in other threads about if they have the legal right to ask you for it.....my take is that you could tell them you applied for it and your waiting to get it, or you could read these other posts (they are in related forums or might be in this one...just do a quick search) where some members have posted their reason for why it is not necessary to give it to the CA DOJ or asking them to cite the code or law that allows them to require you tell them. From what I have read, these members still got their COE issued to them without providing their 03 FFL number. However, I do believe they already had their 03 FFL number in hand.

I am sure others will chime in as to what you should do or recommend what you should do, but ultimately you will need to decide what you think is best and go with that.

I hope that helps....sorry if it's not a clear cut answer...but given how some have done one thing and some have done another, I wanted to give you options so you could make an informed decision

[fifer55]

OK thanks, just did this.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=25843390#post25843390

To whom it may concern,

I am submitting an FFL03 application for collecting C&R, for the first time.

This is the reason for wanting a CA DOJ Certificate Of Eligibility.

Thanks and if anything else is needed, please let me know.

Mike

Let's see how it goes!

I gave them mine on renewal applications...but they did not ask for it 4 years ago when I first applied for my COE....

There has been posts in other threads about if they have the legal right to ask you for it.....my take is that you could tell them you applied for it and your waiting to get it, or you could read these other posts (they are in related forums or might be in this one...just do a quick search) where some members have posted their reason for why it is not necessary to give it to the CA DOJ or asking them to cite the code or law that allows them to require you tell them. From what I have read, these members still got their COE issued to them without providing their 03 FFL number. However, I do believe they already had their 03 FFL number in hand.

I am sure others will chime in as to what you should do or recommend what you should do, but ultimately you will need to decide what you think is best and go with that.

I hope that helps....sorry if it's not a clear cut answer...but given how some have done one thing and some have done another, I wanted to give you options so you could make an informed decision

[nbk992h]

Hopefully you get a response or ur COE issued soon

[menikmati]

I began my COE application on 3/8/22 and also received the same email requesting my 03 FFL number. I told them that my application was in process and then received my COE 5 days later.

Timeline:

3/8/22 - Applied for COE
4/16/22 - Incomplete notice
4/21/22 - COE issued

[nbk992h]

Glad to hear....with the CA DOJ, give them clear answers and it's no guarantee you will get your COE quickly....but I am sure it helps.

[Regla]

COE + FFL03

Hi,

I just did my COE application and did the CFARS. What do i do next? Apply for FFL03 correct? which forms do i need to fill out? is is just the Part B? and do i have to mail it via mail or email?

Thanks in advance!

[nbk992h]

U can download the FFL application on the ATF website ....search on Google and thr link should come up. I believe u can fill it out online, print it, and sign it. Just make sure To read and follow the instructions carefully and fill out the information that is required specifically for the 03FFL application, as some is only required for other types of FFLs. You have to mail one copy to the ATF and give or mail the other to your CLEO ( Is either chief of police or sheriff depending if ur city is incorporated or has a police department). I recommend paying by money order, and using some sort of usps tracking service.

[sfe187]

snail mail w/tracking so I can document when they received but that's me, others just put a stamp on it.

[nbk992h]

I agree with getting tracking....considering that with just a stamp u never know if they get it or when...ur hoping it gets there.... I want to know it got there and when. Likewise, by using a money order from say the post office, I can see if and when it's been cashed, and I can take care of all of it at the post office once I've filled out and signed my application. Yes it cost extra...and I used priority mail, but maybe (I can't say for certain) it got processed faster, as I got it pretty fast considering how long some things take nowadays for licensing renewals (my 03FFL renewal came in about 4 weeks). All I know for sure is it got there and when it did, when they cashed my money order, but that piece of mind certainly is nice when ur waiting for something as important as this.

[Regla]

Thanks for the input guys.
Quick question though. do i have to have business or some sort of business with EIN to apply just for ffl03?

[ronlglock]

COE + FFL03

Thanks for the input guys.
Quick question though. do i have to have business or some sort of business with EIN to apply just for ffl03?

[Regla]

[ronlglock]

You are the licensee.

[nbk992h]

Yes you are the licensee as a Collector...not in the capacity of a business. The purpose of the 03FFL is to aquire C&R firearms for ur personal collection with "occasional" sales permitted. If you ever have to meet with the ATF, they will look at ur records (i.e. usually a bound book) where u keep a record of ur acquisitions and dispositions (purchases and sales). If they see alot of buying and then selling, ull probably have an issue with them....as in that case you should have applied for an 01 or 07 FFL which is for business. Not to say you can't ever sell any of the C&R guns u would aquire, but to keep in mind what "occasional" means.

Hope that helps