How to Get a Gun License in Georgia

Getting a gun license in Georgia is very easy. Georgia is a “shall issue” state, so you don’t need to provide a reason for carrying a gun. Instead, you only need to meet the state’s qualifications and then apply at your county’s probate court. Check that you meet the qualifications before applying, and consult with an attorney if you have questions.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Checking If You Qualify

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You must be at least 21 years of age to get a gun license in Georgia. However, if you’ve been in the Armed Forces, you can apply at age 18 if you have completed basic training and can provide proof that you are either on active duty or have been honorably discharged.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Check if you have a felony conviction. You can’t get a gun license if you have a felony conviction in Georgia or in any other state.^{[2]XResearch source} However, you can qualify if you have your right to own a firearm restored.^{[3]XResearch source}
- You are also prohibited from getting a license if there are criminal proceedings pending or if you are a fugitive.
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3
Analyze if you have a disqualifying drug conviction. You are ineligible to receive a gun license if you have been convicted of any offense arising out of the manufacture or distribution of a dangerous drug or controlled substance.^{[4]XResearch source} For example, you’re ineligible if you’ve been convicted of making or selling drugs.
- A misdemeanor drug conviction does not result in a lifetime ban. You can get a gun license if you’ve been free of supervision for at least five years. You also can’t have been convicted of a second misdemeanor conviction involving use, possession, manufacture, or distribution.^{[5]XResearch source}
4
Check your other convictions. You can be prohibited from getting a license for a certain number of years depending on your other convictions. Check the following:^{[6]XResearch source}
- Illegally carrying a concealed weapon or a pistol without a license. You are ineligible until you are free of supervision and five years have passed.
- Domestic violence. You are ineligible to get a gun license unless you receive a pardon or have your gun rights restored.
5
Ask for approval in some situations. The county probate judge must approve your application if you’ve been in a mental hospital or drug treatment center within the past five years. The judge will ask the superintendent of your treatment center or hospital for their opinion. You will need to pay an extra fee.^{[7]XResearch source}
- However, if you’ve been committed to a mental hospital against your will, then you are ineligible to receive a gun license under federal law.
Sometimes it’s not clear whether you qualify for a gun license in Georgia. Only a qualified attorney can analyze your specific situation and offer accurate advice. Obtain a referral to an attorney by contacting your local or state bar association.

Part 2

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Applying for Your License

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1
Take proof of residency. For example, you can use your state-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license. If you are a non-citizen, then bring your Resident Alien ID card.^{[8]XResearch source}
- You can use other forms of identification if you don’t have a driver’s license with your current address listed on it. For example, you should take at least two of the following: utility bills, lease agreement, voter registration card, property tax statement, or income tax records.^{[9]XResearch source}
2
Call your probate court to ask about fees. You’ll apply at the county courthouse where you live. Find the phone number online or in the phone book and call to check on the fees. You can also find a list of probate courts at this website: http://gaprobate.gov/content/find-your-courts. Click on your county.
- The average fee is $75, but each county sets its own fees.
- Also ask about acceptable methods of payment. Some counties won’t accept bills larger than a $20.
You have to go to the courthouse yourself so you can have your picture taken for the application.^{[10]XResearch source} Tell the clerk you want to apply for a firearms license. They will give you an application.
The court will mail your license to you, but you’ll need to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If you don’t provide one, then you’ll need to stop in and pick up your license when it is ready.
After you apply at the courthouse, you’ll need to have your fingerprints taken. In some counties, you’ll have to go to the police department to give fingerprints.^{[11]XResearch source} The clerk should tell you where to go.
6
Wait for processing. About five days after you apply, the judge will request a criminal history check. Law enforcement will analyze your criminal history and should make a decision about 30 days later.
- If you don’t hear anything after 30 days, contact the court. Georgia law allows you to sue if you’ve been unlawfully denied a gun license.^{[12]XResearch source}
- When your license arrives, it will be inflexible and shaped like a driver’s license.

Part 3

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Carrying Safely

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Whenever you carry your guns, you must have your license on you. You can be fined if a law enforcement officer pulls you over and you don’t have the license with the firearm.
A gun safety course is not required in order to possess a firearm, but it’s a great idea to take a course anyways. Contact your county sheriff’s office and check if a course is offered. Courses will help you get familiar with a firearm and may include firing sessions at the range.
Contact your probate court within 48 hours of discovering you’ve lost your license. You can also get a replacement license if it is damaged.^{[13]XResearch source} You’ll have to pay a fee for a replacement.
Georgia has reciprocity with 31 other states. You can legally carry in these states provided your Georgia license is valid.
5
Renew on time. Georgia licenses are valid for five years. At least two months before the expiration, you should go to the county court and apply for a renewal. You’ll have to pay a renewal fee. Contact your probate court for more information.
- If your license has already expired, you can still get it renewed so long as it has been expired for less than 30 days.^{[14]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
Is a gun silencer important?
Scott Thompson
Firearms Instructor
Scott Thompson is a Firearms Instructor based in Stapleton, Alabama. He is the Owner and Lead Instructor at Gulf Firearms Instruction, a Premier Firearms Training Academy that has been teaching citizens and law enforcement personnel for more than 31 years. He holds multiple teaching certifications as an NRA Training Counselor; he is certified to train instructors in NRA Basic Handgun, Basic Rifle, Personal Protection in the Home, and NRA CCW. He is certified to teach Law Enforcement in pistol, revolver, shotgun, urban rifle, and sniper skills. Before instructing at Gulf Firearms, he was a Police Officer for 25 years, and he is a Retired SWAT Officer.
Scott Thompson
Firearms Instructor
Expert Answer
A gun silencer, or as we sometimes call it, a gun muffler, plays a vital role in protecting hearing. Just like mufflers on cars and motorcycles dampen noise to prevent hearing damage, gun silencers reduce the intensity of the sound produced when a firearm is discharged. This reduction in noise helps maintain safe hearing levels for shooters and those in the vicinity. Without a silencer, the sound of a gunshot can reach dangerously high decibel levels, potentially causing permanent hearing damage. By attaching a silencer to a firearm, the loudness of the gunshot is significantly reduced, making shooting activities safer for everyone involved. In addition to protecting hearing, gun silencers also have practical benefits. They can minimize noise disturbances in residential areas or during hunting trips, reducing the likelihood of alarming nearby individuals or wildlife. Moreover, the reduced noise signature can contribute to better concealment in tactical or hunting situations.
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Do I need to have a firearm to apply?
Community Answer
No, you can get a license whenever you are ready, you are not required to own a gun first.
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If I'm in the military, do I need a licence to open carry in the state of Georgia?
Community Answer
According to an opinion by the state's Attorney General, active duty military personnel do not need a permit.
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Your license is good for the entire state, so you don’t have to get a new license if you move between counties.^{[15]XResearch source} However, when it comes time to renew, go to the courthouse in the county where you currently live.
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