General Information

Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Residents applying for a CCW license must fully understand all requirements and laws related to carrying a concealed weapon in California. Please contact your legal counsel if you have any questions or need further guidance.

In California, the Sheriffs/Police Chiefs and their staff are required to follow strict state and local guidelines when performing the necessary background checks for issuing Carry Concealed Weapon licenses. Due to the detailed nature involved with conducting these background checks, appointment times and processing times can take multiple weeks or months. 

Processing Fees:

• Additional Fees will be required for:  Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ fee = $93 for Standard + a Rolling Fee that varies by provider); Safety Class & Range Qualification (Vendor fees vary); Psych Evaluation (Provider fee ≈ $415).

• A non-refundable $5 Service Fee and nominal credit card Transaction Fee will be charged. Charges will be viewable prior to transaction completion.

IMPORTANT: READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE CAREFULLY 

Firearms must be on the DOJ Approved Firearms List: Click Here to Confirm

• Permitees are only allowed 3 weapons on the CCW license, and they must be listed accurately on the application.
• An Automated Firearms System (AFS) Record is populated when purchasing or having a firearm transferred through a Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer (i.e. the firearm is "registered" to an individual).
• Firearms are only associated to one individual.
• Background checks will be completed to ensure applicants have an AFS record which associates them to the firearm(s) they are requesting to list on their CCW license.
• Firearms are to be free from alterations from the manufacturer’s specifications, excluding sights or grips; for example, no trigger adjustments, as the department has the right to deny a license for any firearm which has been altered from the manufacture specifications or a firearm deemed unsafe. Additionally, no "AR Pistol” platform or similar style handguns will be approved and the handgun must be capable of being concealed upon a person. 

CCW Application Process: The application process is a long, tedious, and meticulous process that starts, but does not end, with the in-person interview. There are corresponding costs per step as the application moves forward. Applicants will move forward ONLY upon notification by the Agency. There is no necessity for proactivity, as the furtherance in the process depends on the results of each step one will have to take along the way. The other steps, aside from extensive background investigation, are live scan, psychological evaluation, safety course (to be taken from our approved resources) and shooting proficiency. Again, please do not take any action until notification from this office.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. The application process will consist of the following steps:

Phase 1

• Completion of online CCW Application with uploaded valid ID (front & back) and Two (2) Proofs of Residency
• Payment of Applicable Fees (refer to chart above) 
• Verification of Age Requirement (21+) is determined through the applicant’s California issued Driver’s License or California Identification Card. No other form or type of identification will be accepted.  
• Verification of Residency Requirement within the Boundaries of the City of Fremont: 
  • Applicants MUST reside within the boundaries of the City of Fremont, California.
  • Applicants MUST upload last year’s property tax bill, grant deed, or lease/rental agreement that lists the applicant’s name and applicable address.  If unable to provide a tax bill or rental/lease agreement (i.e. the applicant is informally renting from a family member) the property owner shall write a letter indicating the applicant resides at the applicable address full time.   The letter is to be notarized AND submitted along with the property tax bill or grant deed of the residence, with the name on the notarized letter matching the property owner's name on the tax bill or grant deed.  
  • Applicants MUST upload a major utility or phone bill in their name and address. The bill is to be dated no later than 30 days from the date of submitting the CCW license application.
• Three Reference Checks: Initial/new applicants are required to list three (3) references, noting the following:
  • One (1) of the three (3) references MUST be a person as described in Pen. Code § 273.5(b) (e.g., current of former spouse, current or former cohabitant, fiancée, someone with whom you have or previously had an engagement or dating relationship, mother or father of your child). 
  • If applicable, at least one (1) of the three (3) references MUST be your current cohabitant.
• Interview of the CCW License Applicant 
  • All information received is reviewed with the applicant via an in-person interview.
  • Restrictions are discussed with the applicant should a CCW license be approved.
• Fingerprinting/Live Scan:
  • Initial/new applicants MUST be Live Scan fingerprinted by using the provided LiveScan form.
  • Live Scan can be conducted at any location that offers the service. 
  • Applicants MUST bring the completed Live Scan form and photo identification with them to be fingerprinted.
• Background Checks will be conducted through the Department of Justice to assure the applicant is not a disqualified person nor has a history which prohibits them by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm (Pen. Code § 26202 & DOJ BOF 8018 Rev. 01/2024).
• Review of Publicly Available Information includes publicly facing/open source intelligence (OSINT) information and social media platforms.
• Military Status:
  • Applicants who have been discharged from U.S. Military Service MUST upload their Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214).
  • Pursuant to DOJ Firearms Prohibiting Categories, any person who has been discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions is prohibited from owning and/or possessing firearms under California or Federal law [18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(6)].
• Initial Determination: 
  • All applicants are notified via email once the initial determination is made whether they are identified as a disqualified or prohibited person.
  • If determined to be a disqualified or prohibited person, information regarding an appeal process will be provided. Included in this notification is the right to a court hearing.

Applicants who successfully complete Phase 1 will move on to Phase 2

• Successful Completion of the Psychological Evaluation: 
  • Fremont Police Department will email instructions for the psychological evaluation to all initial/new applicants.  The applicant will schedule the appointment and make payment direclty with the authorized psychological services agency for the cost of the assessment.  DO NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL DIRECTED TO DO SO.  
  • Upon completion of the psychological evaluation, the authorized psychological services agency will notify Fremont Police Department whether the applicant passed or failed the assessment.
  • Applicants will be evaluated for the purpose of identifying any outward indications or history of psychological problems that may render the applicant unfit to carry a firearm.  Indications include: Propensity to harm self or others; An inability to distinguish reality from delusion; Paranoia; Prosopagnosia - inability to recognize facial expressions, and/or experience blurred images, face blindness, etc.; Inability to control their behavior or impulses; Current abuse of alcohol or controlled substances; Inability to exercise sound judgement regarding the use of a firearm in a manner that is consistent with the law.
• Successful Completion of the Firearms Safety Course & Range Qualifications: 
  • To assure applicants are receiving training regarding best practices and in compliance with mandates and/or laws, CCW license qualification certificates dated prior to receiving notification regarding initial determination pursuant to Pen. Code § 26202 will not be accepted.  DO NOT TAKE THE TRAINING UNTIL INSTRUCTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DO SO.    
  • All initial/new CCW license applicants who passed the psychological examination shall complete a 16-hour course of training which includes instruction on firearm safety, handling of the firearm, shooting technique, and laws regarding the permissible use of a firearm.  For those applicants who successfully pass the psychological examination, an email will be sent advising them to attend the mandated 16-hour training course.  A list of Fremont PD approved vendors will be provided at that time.  The vendors will complete the CCW qualification for each firearm desired to be listed on the CCW license.  (Renewal applicants will be required to attend an 8-hour CCW training course and qualification during each renewal period.) 
  • The applicant will pay the vendors fees directly to the authorized vendor.
  • The course shall include live-fire shooting exercises on a firing range and a demonstration by the applicant of safe handling and shooting proficiency with each firearm the applicant is applying to be licensed to carry. 
  • The applicant will upload the completed and signed Firearms Safety Course & Range Qualifications Certificates via the online Order Tracker.
• Approval or Denial of CCW license
  • All applicants are notified via email once the Phase 2 determination is made.
  • Approved Applicants (initial/new) will make their final payment via the online Order Tracker.
  • When Final Payment has been received, applicants will receive an email with instructions regarding the pick-up of their CCW license.

Click the appropriate button on the left of the screen to proceed with an application for a Concealed Carry Weapon license.

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