Virginia Non-resident Concealed Handgun Permit
The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia as of March 9, 2015. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to the Virginia State Police Web Site located at vsp.state.va.us or consult a member of the Virginia Bar Association. Another great resource is the VCDL(Virginia Citizens Defense League), a non-partisan group dedicated to preserving the gun rights of Virginians. They can be located at VCDL.org.
General Information
Obtaining a nonresident concealed carry permit from Virginia is a relatively smooth process. Bear in mind that while many states will allow you to carry in your home state with a nonresident permit from a state that has reciprocity with yours, some don't. Make sure to check with your state police to determine if this is a viable option for you. To apply for your nonresident Virginia permit:
1. Send away for the Virginia Nonresident Concealed Handgun Application Package. This will include a fingerprint card, the application (which you can also print out), general instructions, and the nonresident permit checklist (which you can also print out). This can be done by emailing a request to nonresidentpermit@vsp.virginia.gov, or mailing a request to:
Firearms Transaction Center
Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permits
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Department of State Police
P.O. Box 85141
Richmond, VA 23285-5141
2. Prove proficiency with a firearm, a simple method is to take AFT's course, Introduction to Pistol Safety by clicking on the green button to the top right. Pay for, and print out your certificate of completion.
3. To ensure that you have everything you need, print out the checklist provided by the Virginia State Police. A copy is below:
4. Download and print the Virginia Application for Concealed Handgun Permit. Fill out the permit application, and sign it under the auspices of a licensed notary public.
5. Take and print (or purchase) two identical 2x2 inch photographs of your face. These can be in color, or black and white, and must be in front of a white, or off-white background. They must be similar to a drivers license picture.
6. Make a copy of a state or federal issued identification card.
7. Write a check for $100 to the Virginia State Police.
8. Mail the package to the Virginia State Police:
Firearms Transaction Center
Nonresident CHP Permits
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Department of State Police
P.O. Box 85141
Richmond, VA 23285-5141
Your permit will be sent to you by mail within 45 days of receipt of the VSP. The permit is valid for five years, and will allow you to carry in all states that accept a Virginia nonresident permit. It is always a good idea to check if the states you are traveling to accept a Virginia nonresident permit before you go, as the reciprocal agreements change frequently. For the latest on state reciprocity, see the Virginia Reciprocity page. As of February 1, 2016, reciprocating or recognized states include:
| Michigan | Utah |
| Oklahoma | West Virginia |
| Texas |
From the Virginia State Police Website
Nonresidents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 21 years of age or older, may apply in writing to the Virginia State Police for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun.
The application shall be made under oath before a notary or other person qualified to take oaths on a form provided by the Virginia State Police, requiring only that information necessary to determine eligibility for the permit. If the permittee is later found by the Virginia State Police to be disqualified, the permit shall be revoked and the person shall return the permit after being so notified by the Virginia State Police.
Request Virginia Nonresident Concealed Handgun Application Package
You may request an Application Package by contacting the Virginia State Police Firearms Transaction Center in writing at the below address or by e-mailing VSP at nonrespermit@vsp.virginia.gov. All written requests must include the applicant’s complete name and mailing address. A telephone number is also requested. Send written requests to:
Firearms Transaction Center
Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permits
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Department of State Police
P.O. Box 85141
Richmond, VA 23285-5141
The Application Package will provide requirement and qualification information, a Virginia State Police fingerprint card, a return envelope for the completed application, and a checklist to ensure that all necessary information is provided.
In lieu of requesting an application package by mail, you may create and submit all the necessary information and documentation pursuant to the following instructions. In this instance, please be sure to review the CHECKLIST to ensure accuracy and completeness of the information provided, and to prevent a delay in the processing procedures.
Click on a link below to learn more:
Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permit Application
Documentation of Competence with a Handgun
Fingerprint Based Criminal History Record Information Check
Exceptions to the Permit Requirement
Persons Not Qualified to Obtain a Permit
Carry and Notification Requirements
Prohibited Conduct and Where Unlawful to Carry
Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permit Application
The application shall be made under oath before a notary or other person qualified to take oaths. There is no requirement as to the specific state of residence of the Notary Public.
The application must be completed in its entirety. Illegible applications will not be processed.
Download/Print
Application for Concealed Handgun Permit
Form SP-248
Documentation of Competence with a Handgun
The applicant shall demonstrate competence with a handgun by one of the following:
Completing a hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state.
Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course.
Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services or a similar agency of another state.
Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement.
Presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition approved by the Department of State Police or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services.
Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in this Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause.
Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor.
Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties.
Completing any other firearms training that the Virginia Department of State Police deems adequate.
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any such course or class, an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught such course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the applicant, or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or class or evidences participation in firearms competition shall satisfy the requirement for demonstration of competence with a handgun.
Fingerprint Based Criminal History Record Information Check
The Application Package will contain a Virginia State Police Fingerprint Card, which shall be utilized for the purpose of obtaining the applicant's state or national criminal history record. An additional fingerprint card will be forwarded upon request.
Otherwise, the applicant may request a law enforcement agency to obtain his or her fingerprint impressions on Applicant Fingerprint Card FD-258.
The Virginia statute governing the issuance of Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permits requires the fingerprint impressions be obtained by a law enforcement agency. Prints obtained by a private company acting as an agent of a law enforcement agency are acceptable. Prints obtained electronically must be copied onto an Applicant Fingerprint Card FD-258; electronic submission is not available.
Upon submission of the fingerprint impressions, the applicant will be required to provide a telephone number of the individual taking the prints to facilitate this Department’s validation of print authenticity.
The Virginia State Police, Firearms Transaction Center, will submit the prints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding the applicant and obtaining fingerprint identification information from federal records pursuant to criminal investigations by state and local law-enforcement agencies.
Incomplete cards will be returned to the applicant for completion.
Photograph Requirements
Every applicant for a nonresident concealed handgun permit must submit two photographs for inclusion on the permit.
Your photographs must be:
2 x 2 inches in width and heightIdentical
Taken within the past 6 months.
Color or black and white.
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background with the head centered in the frame. The applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. Side or angled views are not accepted.
Background must be plain white or off-white. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.
Taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily. Do not wear a hat or headgear. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required. A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.
Digitally reproduced photographs must be reproduced without discernible pixels or dot patterns.
Photocopied photographs are NOT accepted.
Photographs will not be returned in instances of denied applications.
Proof of Identification
The applicant must provide a legible photocopy of a valid photo-ID issued by a governmental agency.
Application Fee
All completed application packages must include a money order or cashier’s check in the amount of $100.00, made payable to the Virginia State Police. Receipt of the application without payment will cause the unprocessed application package to be returned to the applicant.
The application fee is non-refundable regardless of the final determination of eligibility.
Exceptions to the Permit Requirement
A permit is not necessary in the following circumstances for lawfully qualified persons:
Any person while in his own place of abode or the curtilage thereof.
Any person while in his own place of business.
Any law-enforcement officer wherever such law-enforcement officer may travel in the Commonwealth.
Any regularly enrolled member of a target shooting organization who is at, or going to or from, an established shooting range, provided that the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported.
Any regularly enrolled member of a weapons collecting organization who is at, or going to or from, a bona fide weapons exhibition, provided that the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported.
Any person carrying such weapons between his place of abode and a place of purchase or repair, provided the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported.
Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting, as authorized by the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, under inclement weather conditions necessitating temporary protection of his firearm from those conditions, provided that possession of a handgun while engaged in lawful hunting shall not be construed as hunting with a handgun if the person hunting is carrying a valid concealed handgun permit.
Any retiree described in paragraph B 7 of § 18.2-308.
Any attorney for the Commonwealth or assistant attorney for the Commonwealth, wherever such attorney may travel in the Commonwealth.
Any person who may lawfully possess a firearm and is carrying a handgun while in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel.
Persons Not Qualified to Obtain a Permit
An individual who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to §§ 18.2-308.1:1, 18.2-308.1:2 or § 18.2-308.1:3 or the substantially similar law of any other state or of the United States.
An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:1 and who was discharged from the custody of the Commissioner pursuant to § 19.2-182.7 less than five-years before the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:2 and whose competency or capacity was restored pursuant to former § 37.1-134.1 or § 37.2-1012 less than five-years before the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm under § 18.2-308.1:3 and who was released from commitment less than five-years before the date of this application for a concealed handgun permit.
An individual who is subject to a restraining order or to a protective order and prohibited by § 18.2-308.1:4 from purchasing or transporting a firearm.
An individual who is prohibited by § 18.2-308.2 from possessing or transporting a firearm, except that a permit may be obtained in accordance with subsection C of that section.
An individual who has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the five-year period immediately preceding the application, if one of the misdemeanors was a Class 1 misdemeanor, but the agency shall have the discretion to deny a permit for two or more misdemeanors that are not Class 1. Traffic infractions or reckless driving shall not be considered for purposes of this disqualification.
An individual who is addicted to, or is an unlawful user or distributor of, marijuana or any controlled substance.
An individual who has been convicted of a violation of § 18.2-266 or a substantially similar local ordinance, or of public drunkenness, or of a substantially similar offense under the laws of any other state, the District of Columbia, the United States, or its territories within the three-year period immediately preceding the application, or who is a habitual drunkard as determined pursuant to § 4.1-333.
An alien other than an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
An individual who has been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions.
An individual who is a fugitive from justice.
An individual, who it is alleged, in a sworn written statement submitted by the sheriff, chief of police or attorney for the Commonwealth in the opinion of such sheriff, chief of police or attorney for the Commonwealth, is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others. The statement of the sheriff, chief of police or the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be based upon personal knowledge or upon the sworn written statement of a competent person having personal knowledge.
An individual who has been convicted of any assault, assault and battery, sexual battery, discharging of a firearm in violation of § 18.2-280 or § 18.2-286.1 or brandishing of a firearm in violation of § 18.2-282 within the three-year period immediately preceding the application.
An individual who has been convicted of stalking.
An individual whose previous convictions or adjudications of delinquency were based on an offense which would have been at the time of conviction a felony if committed by an adult under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, the United States or its territories. For purposes of this disqualifier, only convictions occurring within sixteen-years following the later of the date of (i) the conviction or adjudication or (ii) release from any incarceration imposed upon such conviction or adjudication shall be deemed to be "previous convictions."
An individual who has a felony charge pending or a charge pending for an offense listed in 14 or 15.
An individual who has received mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in a residential setting within five-years prior to the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
An individual not otherwise ineligible pursuant to this section, who, within the three-year period immediately preceding the application for the permit, was found guilty of any criminal offense set forth in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of this title or of a criminal offense of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana or any controlled substance, under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories.
An individual, not otherwise ineligible pursuant to this section, with respect to whom, within the three-year period immediately preceding the application, upon a charge of any criminal offense set forth in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of this title or upon a charge of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana or any controlled substance under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories, the trial court found that the facts of the case were sufficient for a finding of guilt and disposed of the case pursuant to § 18.2-251 or the substantially similar law of any other state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories.
Carry and Notification Requirements
The person to whom the permit is issued shall have such permit on his person at all times when he or she is carrying a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth and shall display the permit on demand by a law-enforcement officer. The person shall also present, upon request, a valid photo-identification issued by a government agency or by the United States Department of Defense or United States State Department.
Permit Renewal
The renewal process is identical to the processes and costs associated with the original permit with the exception of proof of competence with a handgun. New photos and fingerprint impressions will be required. It is suggested that all renewal application packages be submitted at least 60 days prior to expiration of the existing permit.
Request a packet for the renewal process by contacting the Virginia State Police Firearms Transaction Center in writing at the below address or on-line at nonrespermit@vsp.virginia.gov. All written requests must include the applicant’s complete name, mailing address; telephone number and original Virginia nonresident permit file number. Send written requests to:
Firearms Transaction Center
Nonresident CHP Permits
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Department of State Police
P.O. Box 85141
Richmond, VA 23285-5141
Change of Address
Permit holders are requested to notify the Virginia State Police, Firearms Transaction Center (FTC) of changes of address. Notification may be made in writing to the FTC at P.O. Box 85141, Richmond, VA, 23285-5141 or on-line at nonrespermit@vsp.virginia.gov, and must include the permit file number or a photocopy of the permit. A change of address card will be provided to the permit holder, to be retained with the original permit.
Replacement Permits
A replacement permit may be requested, in writing, addressed to the FTC at P.O. Box 85141, Richmond, VA, 23285-5141. All requests for replacement must include a cashier’s check or money order in the amount of $5.00 made payable to the Virginia State Police, and one of the following:
the permit file number
a photocopy of the permit
a photocopy of a valid photo-ID issued by a governmental agency
A replacement permit will have the same expiration date as the permit originally issued.
Permit Revocation
If the permittee is later found by the Virginia State Police to be disqualified, the permit shall be revoked and the person shall return the permit after being so notified by the Department of State Police.
Prohibited Conduct and Where Unlawful to Carry
Section 18.2-308.012:
Any person permitted to carry a concealed handgun who is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while carrying such handgun in a public place is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Conviction of any of the following offenses shall be prima facie evidence, subject to rebuttal, that the person is "under the influence" for purposes of this section: manslaughter in violation of Section 18.2-36.1, maiming in violation of Section 18.2-51.4, driving while intoxicated in violation of Section 18.2-266, public intoxication in violation of Section 18.2-388, or driving while intoxicated in violation of Section 46.2-341.24.
No person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of any restaurant or club as defined in Section 4.1-100 for which a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been granted by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board under Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia; may consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of such a restaurant or club and consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, nothing in this subsection shall apply to a federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer.
Section 18.2-308.01: Private property when prohibited by the owner of the property, or where posted as prohibited.
Section18.2-283: To a place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held at such place, without good and sufficient reason.
Section18.2-283.1: Courthouse.
Section18.2-308.1: School property. Exemptions to this statute include a person who has a valid concealed handgun permit and possesses a concealed handgun while in a motor vehicle in a parking lot, traffic circle, or other means of vehicular ingress or egress to the school.
Section18.2-287.01: Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal.
Appeal Procedure
If you are denied a nonresident concealed handgun permit and do not believe that you have a previous conviction or other disqualification that renders you ineligible, you may contact the Firearms Transaction Center to discuss the ineligible determination and/or to provide additional information deemed pertinent to the final determination of eligibility.
Any person denied a permit and not satisfied with the explanation provided by the Firearms Transaction Center may appeal such denial to the Superintendent of State Police provided that any such action is initiated within 30-days of the denial by the State Police. Such appeal must be in writing, setting forth any grounds, which the applicant wishes to be considered. The Superintendent of State Police shall consider each such appeal, and will notify the applicant in writing of his decision within five (5) business days after the day on which the appeal is received.
Contact Us
Email: nonrespermitquestions@vsp.virginia.gov
Mailing Address:
Firearms Transaction Center
Nonresident CHP Permits
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 85141
Richmond, VA 23285-5141
Superintendent’s Office
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261-7472