Concealed Handgun Permit
THE APPLICATION
Any person 21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in which he or she resides, or if he or she is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the county, or city in which he or she is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun. §18.2-308.02, 06
View or download the VSP Concelaed Handgun Permit Application
Apply or Renew online: ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM.
FIRST TIME APPLICANTS
Requirements:
The entire original completed application (all pages)
Copy of your certificate of competence with a handgun – How to Provide Competency Information
One valid form of photo identification issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department (passport)
Must be filed in person in the Civil Division or submitted via the online application system.
RENEWAL APPLICANTS
Application for permit renewal should be submitted at least 90 days but no more than 180 days prior to the expiration of your existing permit.
Requirements:
The entire original completed application (all pages)
Copy of your certificate of competence with a handgun OR a copy of previously issued concealed handgun permit from any Virginia Circuit Court
One valid form of photo identification issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department (passport)
Can be filed in person in the Civil Division, via the online application system, or by mail:
Send completed application, copy of certificate of competence or previous permit, copy of photo ID and payment to:
Shenandoah County Circuit Court
P. O. Box 406
112 South Main Street
Woodstock, VA 22664-1423
COMPETENCY
COMPETENCE WITH A HANDGUN
Pursuant to §18.2-308.02(B), the court shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the following shown below, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence expire.
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes 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 evidence of participation in firearms competition shall constitute evidence of qualification under this subsection.
HOW TO PROVIDE COMPETENCY INFORMATION
Effective January 1, 2021, the court shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun in person and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the following, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence expire:
Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Wildlife Resources 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, institution of higher education, 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;
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 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 the Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;
Completing any in-person firearms training or safety course or class 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; or
Completing any other firearms training which the court deems adequate
AFTER COMPLETION OF APPLICATION
BACKGROUND CHECK
After an application is filed at the Shenandoah County Circuit Court, the Shenandoah County Sheriff will conduct a background check on each applicant. As part of the background check, an applicant may be asked to undergo a voluntary interview with the police if the indicates a potential reason to disqualify the applicant. The Commonwealth Attorney will also review each application and background check prior to making a recommendation to the Circuit Court judges.
PROCESSING THE CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT
The clerk will make two photocopies of the concealed handgun permit: one copy for the case file, the other copy for the Virginia State Police for further processing.
The State Police will enter the permit holder’s name and description in the Virginia Criminal Information Network so that the permit’s existence and current status will be made known to law-enforcement personnel accessing the network for investigative purposes.
GRANTING OR DENYING THE APPLICATION
After the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Department has completed its investigation, the application and background information is sent to the Commonwealth Attorney for approval who will then return to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court will present the application to the judge. The judge will enter an order either granting or denying the Concealed Handgun Permit application.
RECEIVING THE CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT
The permit will be mailed to the applicant once the order has been entered granting the concealed handgun permit.
The applicant must immediately sign the permit.
DENIAL OF APPLICATION
The most common reasons for denial of a concealed handgun permit, other than a criminal offense, is the failure of applicants to completely fill out question number two regarding length of residence on the application and/or the failure to answer all questions. Failure to provide necessary information and failure to answer all questions results in an incomplete application.
RESIDENCY
If you have lived in your current home less than five years, you must provide a separate listing of all addresses where you have lived within the last five years.
The Sheriff's Office must be able to verify your residence.
Provide the information and documentation as listed in the “Notice to Concealed Handgun Applicant.”
INCOMPLETE APPLICATION
Failure to answer any questions on the application may result in a denial of your permit.
Any questions that do not apply to your situation need to have an answer either of “N/A” or “not applicable”, if appropriate.
CRITERIA FOR WAIVER OF FEES
If you are filing a Concealed Handgun Permit application and are requesting that fees be waived in accordance with § 18.2-308.03(B) of the Code of Virginia as amended, you will need to include with your application documentation to show proof of retirement or service in accordance with this code section.
No fee shall be charged beyond the $10 processing fee for issuance of such permit to a person who has retired from service:
(i) as a magistrate in the Commonwealth
(ii) as a special agent with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority or as a law-enforcement officer with the Department of State Police, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, or a sheriff or police department, bureau, or force of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55
(iii) as a law-enforcement officer with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Marshals Service, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55
(iv) as a law-enforcement officer with any police or sheriff's department within the United States, the District of Columbia, or any of the territories of the United States, after completing 15 years of service
(v) as a law-enforcement officer with any combination of the agencies listed in clauses (ii) through (iv), after completing 15 years of service;
(vi) as a designated boarding team member or boarding officer of the United States Coast Guard, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55
(vii) as a correctional officer as defined in § 53.1-1, after completing 15 years of service
(viii) as a probation and parole officer authorized pursuant to § 53.1-143, after completing 15 years of service.
REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT PERMIT Criteria
Under § 18.2-308.011, in instances of change of address, change of name or a lost or destroyed permit, a replacement concealed handgun permit can be issued. The original concealed handgun permit must be current and valid and issued by Shenandoah County Circuit Court. Expiration date for permit will not change when re-issued.
Submit request for change of name/address or replacement for lost permit online: CHANGE NAME or ADDRESS~LOST&REPLACE
FEES
- Lost permit $5.00
- Name Change $5.00
- Address Change $10.00
MAILING ADDRESS
Shenandoah County Circuit Court
Attn: CHP Clerk
P.O. Box 406
112 South Main Street
Woodstock, VA 22664-1423
