Gun Permits

Residence Requirements

The Washington County Sheriff's Office processes Permit to Carry Applications for all Washington County residents and any non-Minnesota residents. Be ready to provide: 

• A valid Minnesota driver's license or identification card (Washington County residents).
• Or, a valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services with your current address.
• Or, a passport along with one of the following residency documents with your name and current address dated from the last 30 days. (For applicants who don't have a current driver's license/ID):
  • A utility bill (Examples: gas, garbage, electric, cable, etc.).
  • Property tax statement.
  • Utility hookup statement.
  • Employee or unemployment pay stub.

Non-Residence Requirement

The Washington County Sheriff's Office processes Permit to Carry applications for any non-Minnesota residents. When applying, please provide an out-of-state driver's license/identification card (non-Minnesota residents) with your current address.

Cost

• New fee of $75.
• Renewal fee if applying within 90 days prior to the Permit to Carry's expiration date $55.
• Late renewal fee if applying within 30 days past the Permit to Carry's expiration date $65.
• Late renewal fee if applying beyond 30 days or more past the Permit to Carry's expiration date $75.
• Replacement card (lost/damaged or change of address/personal information) $10.
• Military/Law Enforcement/Veterans/First Responders/Correctional Officers (New or Renewal) $25.

How to Apply for a New or Renewal Permit to Carry:

1. Complete the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol (PDF) form. You may complete the application prior to your arrival. All applications must be submitted in person.
2. Provide training certificate. 
   • Proof of training in the safe use of a pistol that meets the requirements of Minnesota Statute 624.714 from a certified instructor. 
   • Training must have been completed within 12 months prior to the date of application. 
   • For a list of approved certified firearms instructors, visit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.
3. Provide a current driver's license, state identification card, or passport. See "Residence Requirements" section for details.
4. Pay the required fees. See "Fee" section for details. 
5. Successfully pass the required backgrounds check. An applicant who is otherwise ineligible for a permit due to a criminal conviction, but who has obtained a federal pardon or state restoration of civil rights, must submit a copy of the relevant order.

A Permit to Carry is valid for 5 years throughout Minnesota and acts as a Permit to Purchase. A Permit to Carry becomes void when the holder becomes prohibited by law.

Note: Permit to Carry renewals cannot be made more than 90 days before a permit expires. 

Certain states offer reciprocity for Minnesota Permit to Carry holders. For an updated list of states with Permit to Carry reciprocity, go to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.

Update Address or Personal Information

State law requires that Permit to Carry holders notify the issuing Sheriff's Office within 30 days of any address change.

Address and personal data changes are processed through the county who issued your permit until the permit expires. Once the permit expires, you will renew in your current county of residence.

Permit cards are not required to be reprinted with new address. However, gun shops require an address matching your current ID when using it as a Permit to Purchase. Name changes, address changes from one state to another, or change in type of ID require new cards to be printed.

In person

1. Provide a driver's license/ID with new address or driver's license with old address and copy of state issued change receipt.
2. Provide a current Permit to Carry.
3. If you are requesting an updated card be printed, there is a $10 fee. Payable by cash, check, or card. 

By mail

1. Provide a color photocopy of your valid driver's license/ID with new address or a valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services.
2. Provide a photocopy of current Permit to Carry.
3. If you are requesting an updated card be printed, there is a $10 fee. Payable by cash or check. Make checks payable to: Washington County Sheriff's Office.
4. Mail all items to:
   Washington County Sheriff’s Office
   ATTN: Gun Permits
   15015 62nd Street North
   Stillwater, MN 55082

By Phone

Call the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Records Division at 651-430-7600 and let us know of the address change. We will update your information in our system.

Replace Lost or Damaged Permits

Lost or damaged permit requests are processed through the county who issued your permit until the permit expires. Once the permit expires, you will reapply in your current county of residence.

In person

1. Complete the Request for Replacement Permit to Carry form (PDF).
2. Provide a valid driver's license/ID or valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services. 
3. There is a $10 fee for a new card. Payable by cash, check, or card.  Make checks payable to: Washington County Sheriff's Office.

By mail                       

1. Complete the Request for Replacement Permit to Carry form (PDF), and have it notarized.
2. Provide a color photocopy of your valid driver's license/ID or valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services. 
3. There is a $10 fee for a new card. Payable by cash or check. Make checks payable to: Washington County Sheriff's Office.  
4. Mail all items to:
   Washington County Sheriff’s Office
   ATTN: Gun Permits
   15015 62nd Street North
   Stillwater, MN 55082

Additional Information

• Call 651-430-7600 for any gun permit questions.
• If you live in Minnesota, you must apply to the sheriff of the county in which you live.
  • Out-of-state applicants may apply at any of the 87 counties in Minnesota.
  • If you are a Wisconsin resident applying for a Minnesota Permit to Carry, please note: Per Wisconsin Act 35:  Out-of-State CCW (Carrying Concealed Weapon) licenses issued to Wisconsin residents are not valid in Wisconsin.  All Wisconsin residents must obtain a Wisconsin CCW license in order to carry concealed in Wisconsin
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• The Sheriff’s Office must act on the application within 30 days of receiving the completed application packet.
• For more information on how to obtain a permit to carry a pistol in the state of Minnesota visit the Department of Public Safety.
• Minnesota doesn’t require fingerprints for a Permit to Carry. 
  • If you need fingerprints done for another state, read about fingerprinting services.