Chesterfield County, Virginia | Circuit Court Clerk

Concealed Handgun Permits

Obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit

Applications are available in the Clerk's Office from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Applications may be filed in the Clerk's Office between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Applications are also available through the State Police at the following web site: www.vsp.state.va.us.

Persons wishing to obtain a concealed handgun permit must apply in the City or County of their residence (i.e., only Chesterfield residents may apply through the Chesterfield Circuit Court).

Applicants must appear in person and present a driver's license or comparable photo I.D.

First-time applicants must provide proof of competency with a handgun. Individuals holding permits in other states who wish to obtain a permit from this Court must provide proof of competency with a handgun as well.

Acceptable Means by Which to Demonstrate Competence with a Handgun are as Follows:

Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the 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;

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previously having held a license to carry a firearm in this Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;

Completing any 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.

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 evidences participation in firearms competition must be provided.

Renewal applicants must provide a copy of their existing permit to avoid having to provide proof of competency with a handgun.

The processing fee is $50. Payment may be made by cash, check or money order (payable to the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk). Debit and credit cards are not accepted for the payment of such fees.

First-time applicants must be fingerprinted by the Sheriff's Office upon submitting the application. Fingerprinting is NOT required for renewals. Subsequent to fingerprinting, the Sheriff’s Office will furnish the applicant written verification of fingerprinting, which the applicant must then present to the Clerk’s Office. To be fingerprinted, applicants should proceed to the Reception Area in the Sheriff’s Department located on the Basement Level of the same building as the Clerk’s Office. Once there, the Receptionist will direct the applicant to the fingerprint room. The Sheriff’s Office will require a picture ID for fingerprinting. Per the Sheriff’s Department, applicants wishing to be fingerprinted must appear before the receptionist in that office by 3:30 p.m.

Processing of these applications can take up to 45 days. The Police Department performs background checks and then forwards this information to the Circuit Court Judge who enters an order either granting or denying the permit.

Upon presenting the completed application, the applicant will be asked to address an envelope furnished by the Clerk's Office for later use in forwarding the permit, if granted.

The Clerk's Office will mail the permit to the permit holder in the self-addressed envelope previously completed by the applicant. Please allow 45 days from the time the completed application is filed with the Clerk's Office.

Any questions regarding enforcement of the law governing concealed handgun permits should be directed to the Chesterfield Police Department at (804) 748-1547.

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