→ WHAT IS AN ELIGIBILITY CHECK?
The Standard Ammunition Eligibility Check
$5 fee (We cover this cost), takes one to two minutes and is for those who have an existing record in the California Department of Justice Automated Firearms System (AFS)
Cross-references the information on your driver’s license with the information on file in the DOJ Automated Firearms System. A transfer might be denied if you did not register a firearm to your ID (since 1996 for a handgun or 2014 for a long gun).
$5 fee (We cover this cost), takes one to two minutes and is for those who have an existing record in the California Department of Justice Automated Firearms System (AFS)
Cross-references the information on your driver’s license with the information on file in the DOJ Automated Firearms System. A transfer might be denied if you did not register a firearm to your ID (since 1996 for a handgun or 2014 for a long gun).
The Basic Ammunition Eligibility Check
$19 fee (We cover the cost), takes several days (up to 10 days or more) and is a one-time authorization
This is run if you have no firearms registered to you (i.e., you are not in the DOJ Automated Firearms System), or if you have moved and there are no firearms registered at your new address.
If DOJ approves your ammunition transfer in a Basic Eligibility Check, they will not update your firearm records to make you good for a Standard Eligibility Check in the future. You will need to update your records, see https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/afspi. Purchasing a firearm would also do the trick as the new registration information goes directly into the system.
$19 fee (We cover the cost), takes several days (up to 10 days or more) and is a one-time authorization
This is run if you have no firearms registered to you (i.e., you are not in the DOJ Automated Firearms System), or if you have moved and there are no firearms registered at your new address.
If DOJ approves your ammunition transfer in a Basic Eligibility Check, they will not update your firearm records to make you good for a Standard Eligibility Check in the future. You will need to update your records, see https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/afspi. Purchasing a firearm would also do the trick as the new registration information goes directly into the system.
Special Notes
- Once transfers have been approved, we are required to submit to DOJ information on the type and quantity of ammunition you were provided.
- If you receives ammunition through a BASIC eligibility check last time, and you have not updated your Automated Firearm System record, you will need to get another BASIC eligibility check next time.
→ WHO PAYS FOR FOR THE ELIGIBILITY CHECK FEE?
We will cover the fees for the time being. If you purchase ammunition in stores, you pay the fees.
→ WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED?
- A current California DL or ID Card
If your DL or ID Card is NOT a Real ID, or it states "Federal Limits Apply", you must also provide a current passport or birth certificate - Race / Ethnicity
- Phone Number
- Place of Birth (State or Country)
- US Citizen (yes or no)
→ WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A CALIFORNIA DL OR ID CARD?
Military personnel may qualify for an eligibility check by providing a Department of Defense ID with their 10-digit DOD ID number and a driver’s license from their state of record. Please also provide a California address where you are currently stationed.
→ WHAT IF I'M NOT A US CITIZEN?
- Provide your country of citizenship
- Either your Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number
→ DIDN'T A FEDERAL JUDGE RULE AGAINST THE ELIGIBILITY CHECKS?
Yes, but the Department of Justice has instructed all licensed ammunition vendors, including Ventana Wildlife Society to continue as before with the eligibility checks and face to face transfers until the court issues a mandate for the ruling and/or the state has completed their appeal process. We will review our policies as needed if and when there is further resolution on this matter.
