Permit to carry a handgun
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Gun Permits for individuals aged 18 - 20The federal court has stayed the ruling to issue gun permits to individuals aged 18 - 20. There will be a hearing on April 10, 2023 to review the court decision. Therefore, per the federal court, HCSO will not issue a permit to carry to those under 21 at this time.
Minimum requirements for all applicants
- At least 21 years old
- Citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Allowed by law to keep firearms
Requirements for where to apply
The office you apply at depends on where you live:
- Hennepin County residents apply for a permit through the sheriff’s office.
- Other Minnesota residents apply in the county where they live.
- Out-of-state residents can apply at any sheriff’s office in Minnesota.
Apply for a new or renewal permit
In-person appointment required
For new and renewal applications you must make an appointment and come in person.
A permit to carry is good for five years.
Documents and other items to bring to your appointment
- If you can’t print and bring an application with you, we have them on site.
- Completed and printed – not signed or dated – application. Sign and date it in person. Permit to carry application (PDF) View
- Training certificate from a course authorized by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Must be issued no more than one year before your appointment date.
- Driver’s license or other government ID with your current address
- Payment: cash, check, Visa or Mastercard. Credit card payments include 2.5% convenience fee to credit card provider.
New permit
$100
Renewal permit
$75
You can renew a permit up to 90 days before it expires.
Late renewals
A permit is not valid once it expires.
You can renew your expired permit for a higher fee.
1 to 30 days after expiration
$85
31 or more days after expiration
$100
Appointment hours and locations
Minneapolis
Phone: 612-348-8008
Make an appointment at Minneapolis
Minneapolis City Hall, Room 22
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Gun Permit Unit
350 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Map
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Park
Phone: 612-348-8008
Make an appointment at Brooklyn Park
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Headquarters
9401 83rd Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Map
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Spring Park
Phone: 612-348-8008
Make an appointment at Spring Park (Tuesdays only)
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Water Patrol Unit
4141 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384
Map
Tuesday only
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Change or cancel appointment
If you need to cancel more than 24 hours before your appointment time, you can edit your appointment in your confirmation email.
If it’s less than 24 hours before your appointment time, email us at sheriff.gunpermit@hennepin.us or call us at 612-348-8008.
Processing time
We have 30 days to process and mail a permit to carry, or to deny the application for a permit to carry.
If you don’t hear from us within 30 days, bring all your paperwork to one of our gun permit locations. You don’t need an appointment. We can only give limited information by phone.
Change a current permit
No appointment needed to change a current permit
To change your current permit, notify the sheriff's office that issued your permit.
You can walk into any of our gun permit locations.
You can change your:
- Address
- Name
To update your permit
In person
- Present your current permit to carry
- Present your current valid identification reflecting your new information
- Fill out page one only of an application. Permit to carry application (PDF) View. If you can’t print and bring an application with you, we have them on site.
- Pay $10 by check, cash, credit or debit cards. Cards have a 2.5% convenience fee.
Locations and hours
Minneapolis
Phone: 612-348-8008
Minneapolis City Hall, Room 22
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Gun Permit Unit
350 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Map
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Park
Phone: 612-348-8008
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Headquarters
9401 83rd Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Map
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Spring Park
Phone: 612-348-8008
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Water Patrol Unit
4141 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384
Map
Tuesday only
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
By mail
Step 1
Fill out page one only of an application, print and sign it. Permit to carry application (PDF) View
Step 2
Mail these items:
- Completed application
- Copy of your current permit
- Copy of your current valid identification reflecting your new information
- Check for $10 payable to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Mailing address
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Gun Permit Unit
Minneapolis City Hall
350 South 5th Street, Room 22
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Correcting errors on your permit
If you received your permit and it has errors, call 612-348-8008 or stop in to one of our gun permit locations. You don’t need an appointment.
Report a lost or stolen permit
No appointment needed to replace a permit
You must come in person but don’t need an appointment.
Go in person to the sheriff’s office that issued your permit and bring:
- Page one only of a filled-out application. If you apply at a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and can’t print and bring an application with you, we have them on site. Permit to carry application (PDF) View
- Photo identification
We'll give you a second form to fill out and sign to describe what happened to your original permit.
Locations and hours
Minneapolis
Phone: 612-348-8008
Minneapolis City Hall, Room 22
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Gun Permit Unit
350 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Map
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Park
Phone: 612-348-8008
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Headquarters
9401 83rd Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Map
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Spring Park
Phone: 612-348-8008
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Water Patrol Unit
4141 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384
Map
Tuesday only
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Fee to replace a permit
- $10
- Cash, check, and credit and debit cards accepted. Cards have a 2.5% convenience fee.
Permit to purchase a firearm
Greenfield, Hanover, Medicine Lake and Rockford residents
Apply for a permit to purchase through the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
We are required to do a background check. We are also required to either issue the permit or provide a denial letter within 7 days from the date we receive the application.
Permit to purchases are valid for 1 year and there is no fee.
Requirements
- Be at least 21
- Be a U.S. citizen or have legal alien status
- Cannot be a fugitive or have any warrant including for petty misdemeanors
- Cannot be listed as the respondent in a restraining order
- Not be excluded from purchasing a firearm under any criteria listed in Minnesota law (statute 624.714)
Application
- Fill in, sign and date the application with the date you present it at our office.
- Giving false information on an application could result in criminal charges.
- Present a valid and current Minnesota driver’s license or ID card with your current address. You may also use a passport with proof of residency.
Minnesota application for permit to purchase a firearm (PDF) View
After you fill out the application
You can drop it off at any of our locations during normal hours.
You don’t need an appointment to drop of the application.
But if you like, you can schedule an appointment at any of our locations:
- Minneapolis appointment scheduler
- Brooklyn Park appointment scheduler
- Spring Park (Tuesdays only) appointment scheduler
We will give you a receipt at the time you apply.
Minneapolis residents
- Apply in person at the City of Minneapolis Service Center, 505 4th Ave. You may also apply by mail.
- No fee
- Permit valid one year
- City of Minneapolis gun permit office
Other county residents
Apply for a permit to purchase it at your local police department.
Holiday closures for gun permit offices
2023
- Monday, January 2, 2023 (New Year's Day observed)
- Monday, January 16, 2023 (Martin Luther King)
- Monday, February 20, 2023 (President's Day)
- Monday, May 29, 2023 (Memorial Day)
- Monday, June 19, 2023 (Juneteenth)
- Tuesday, July 4, 2023 (Independence Day)
- Monday, September 4, 2023 (Labor Day)
- Friday, November 10, 2023 (Veteran's Day observed)
- Thursday, November 23, 2023 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Friday, November 24, 2023 (Thanksgiving Friday)
- Monday, December 25, 2023 (Christmas Day)
Gun Permits Office
Phone: 612-348-8008