A Guide for the Concealed Handgun Permit Process

Are you thinking of applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit?

Concealed Handgun Permits are a coveted privilege given to us by our legislature. Although it is a privilege, sometimes this process can seem cumbersome. This guide is meant to assist with answering some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this process.

This process can take up to 90 days to complete after you have submitted all of the required documentation. You can apply for a new application or renew your current application through the Beaufort County Sheriff App, on our website at beaufortcountysheriff.org, or by stopping by our office and dropping off your paper copy of the application. Applicants must have successfully completed a firearms training and safety course that has been designed by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Standards Commission or meet the required exemption for current or retired law enforcement.

If you submit a new application online, you can schedule a time for fingerprinting through the website. Fingerprinting for new applicants submitting their application in person are provided on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30am to 11:30am, excluding holidays.

The cost for a new Concealed Carry Permit is $90.00. The cost for a renewal is $75.00. The cost for Veterans is $55.00 for new applications and $40.00 for renewal applications. Sheriff Hammonds reminds residents that if they choose to apply online, an additional convenience fee of $7.94 will be charged by our vendor (this fee does not go to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office). Applicants that choose to apply online must still visit the office to be fingerprinted and have their application notarized before the process can continue.

Once the applicant submits all documentation to the Sheriff’s Office it can take up to 90 days to process the application. This is a shared process with different entities which includes obtaining records from mental health providers, court documents, and criminal record inquiries. Each entity takes a certain amount of time to complete their portion of the process. Once these documents are received by our office, the application is reviewed by our staff. When the application is approved, the Concealed Handgun Permit card is ordered from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation office in Raleigh NC.

Approved applicants are notified to pick up their permit once it is returned to the Sheriff’s Office. As a service to applicants, the Sheriff’s Office will laminate your permit at no additional cost.