Applying for a Pistol Permit

You may apply for a pistol permit if you have been a resident of Monroe County for at least six months at the time of application. By New York State Law, you must be 21 years of age to be issued a pistol permit. You must be 21 years old in order to purchase a pistol. You are not required to buy or own a gun at the time of application and your permit will not expire even if you don’t place a pistol on it. It takes approximately nine months for an application to be processed. Please allow at least nine months to pass before inquiring about your applications status.

Effective Monday, August 10, 2009:

If you live in the Suburbs (outside of the City limits), each Pistol Permit Application will cost $129.25. Due to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department implementation of digital fingerprinting, all application fees must be paid upfront.

If you live within the City of Rochester limits, each Pistol Permit Application packet costs an initial $5 non-refundable fee. You may pick up the packet at the Clerk’s Office or to receive an application by mail send $5 made payable to “Monroe County Clerk” along with your name and address to: The Monroe County Clerk, 39 W. Main St., Room 101, Rochester, New York 14614.

Please read and follow instructions carefully, to avoid unnecessary delays in issuing your pistol permit. Applicants must appear in person to complete the application process.

Amending a Pistol Permit

The permit holder must appear in person whenever he or she wishes to add or delete a firearm from the license.

When a gun is obtained from an individual, a dated notarized bill of sale or a notarized statement of permission is required to add it to the new owner’s permit. The bill of sale or statement must show the seller’s name, address, the carry number and the original date the seller’s permit was issued. The gun must be described by make, caliber and serial number.

When a gun is obtained from a dealer, the original and a copy of the bill of sale showing the dealer’s letterhead, is required. The bill of sale must list the seller’s name, address, phone number, federal firearms license number, New York State Dealer License number, and description.

Each amendment, whether adding, deleting or both, to your permit is $3.

* You must be updated with a background check (Brady) before you can add a gun from an individual or transfer guns from out of state. This check must be completed once every 5 years. Please stop into our office with your pistol permit to complete the paperwork. You will receive the completed check in the mail in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Once you receive this paperwork, you will be allowed to add the gun.

Address Change

A change of address requires the permit holder to notify the Monroe County Clerk’s Office within 10 days of the change, in accordance with New York State Law. You must appear at the County Clerk’s Office and bring your pistol permit with you. There is no fee to make this change.

Name Change

A change of name requires the permit holder to appear at the County Clerk’s Office with proof of the new name in the form of a marriage certificate or a driver’s photo-license, along with two current passport type photos. A fee of $5 is required to change your name.

For convenience, Passport photos are available in the Monroe County Clerk’s Office. The fee is $7 for a set of two photos.

Transferring a Pistol Permit

To transfer your pistol permit to another county, first check with the new county for any restrictions they may have, then go to the Monroe County Clerk’s Office or mail a statement requesting your file be transferred to the new county of residence. The statement should contain your name, date of birth, current address, the original issue date of your permit, your carry number and the new address. Bring in or mail a $5 check payable to the Monroe County Clerk and a $5 check payable to the county of transfer. The new county will contact you upon receipt of your file.

Lost, Stolen or Replacement Pistol Permit

If your permit is lost or stolen you cannot carry your weapons until the new license is issued.

You may obtain a duplicate pistol permit when the original is lost or stolen by coming to the Monroe County Clerk’s Office with a signed and dated statement, or police report, citing the reason why a new permit is needed. A $5 fee is required for a duplicate permit. You must also present a list of all firearms in your possession with their make, caliber and serial numbers, along with two current passport type photos. This process will take 6-8 weeks to complete.

If your permit is worn or torn and needs to be replaced, you may apply for a new permit by coming to the Monroe County Clerk's Office with your old permit. A $5 fee is required for the duplicate permit. You may retain your old permit until your new permit is issued. You will receive a call from our office when the new permit is ready. When you come in to pick it up, you will surrender your old permit.

For convenience, Passport photos are available in the Monroe County Clerk’s Office. The fee is $7 for a set of two photos.