San Diego County Sheriff
Home MenuCarry Concealed Weapons (CCW) License
CCWs have a new look!
The California Department of Justice has approved a new State card design for CCWs. As of March 15, 2024 the San Diego Sheriff's Office has implemented the new design and all CCWs being printed will have the new design.
Due to the limited space on the card, we highly suggest you choose the firearms you are most likely to carry and list them first on the application. This new approved card replaces the previous paper CCW you were required to carry.
If you have the previous CCW card (yellow at the top), continue to carry the official paper CCW (FD4501) until it expires. At renewal, you will receive the new CCW card. Please do not apply for a replacement card for the sole purpose of getting the new design.
Effective January 6, 2024
On January 6, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dissolved the administrative stay issued on December 30, 2023. The district court order issued on December 20 limiting enforcement of certain "sensitive places" is reinstated. The court's order bans enforcement of the following SB 2 Penal Code sections: 26230(a)(7-13); 26230(a)(15-17); 26230(a)(19-20); 26230(a)(22-23); 26230(a)(26); and 26230 as it pertains to parking areas. The court's order only modifies the identified sections and will remain in effect until further order from the court.
CCW Application Process
All steps must be completed in order to be issued a license. Each application will be reviewed by Sheriffs License Division staff. Applications accepted will be individually investigated to determine eligibility. The licensee has the option of withdrawing the application at any time during the process.
CCW applications are submitted online. Supporting documentation (2 proofs of residence in the form of monthly bills) and your California driver license must be uploaded during this process. If you are applying for the first time, you will schedule your appointment online. Renewals and modifications do not require an appointment. You will pay later after we review your application.
Please note: The application requires information as to the applicant’s prior detentions, arrests, and criminal convictions, whether the applicant has been the subject of any order listed in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 26202 (disqualified persons criteria) or a valid restraining, protective, or stay-away order issued by an out-of-state jurisdiction pursuant to laws concerning domestic violence, family law, protection of children or elderly persons, stalking, harassment, witness intimidation, or firearm possession, whether the applicant has previously been taken into custody as a danger to self or others under Section 5150 or Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 5585) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, assessed under Section 5151, admitted to a mental health facility under Section 5151 or 5152, or certified under Section 5250, 5260, or 5270.15 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, whether any licensing authority in this state or elsewhere has previously denied the applicant a license to carry a firearm or revoked such a license for any reason.
PERSONAL REFERENCES:
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references.
If applicable, at least one reference must be the applicant's cohabitant, and at least one of reference must be a person described in Section 273.5(b): spouse or former spouse, cohabitant or former cohabitant, fiancé or fiancée, or someone with whom the applicant has, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, the mother or father of the applicant.
Initial Application Fees
The San Diego Sheriff's Office collects 20% of the CCW fee upfront as an application fee, plus the livescan fee. If approved, we collect the remaining 80% of the fee at the time of issuance.
EFFECTIVE JULY 14, 2024:
$35.20 initial/application fee
$140.80 final/issuance fee
Total fee, if approved: $176.00 + livescan fee
LIVESCAN FEES:
$93.00 Standard
$115.00 Judicial
$137 Reserve Peace Officer
RENEWAL FEES:
$77.00 Standard
$99.00 Judicial
$121.00 Reserve Peace Officer
Fees are subject to change as allowed by law. They are processing fees and, as such, are not refundable regardless of the decision made on the application.
DOCUMENTATION:
All new applicants must demonstrate they are residents of San Diego County. For purposes of this application, applicants must submit proof of residency (see acceptable proofs of residence).
After your application is reviewed, additional documentation may be requested.
Valid California identification is also required, per PC26150 (2): The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Section 16400. PC16400 reads:
16400.
As used in this part, “clear evidence of the person’s identity and age” means either of the following:
(a) A valid California driver’s license.
(b) A valid California identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
What to expect when you come to Licensing for your CCW appointment
This is for new CCW applicants. When you come into Licensing, you will visit three areas to complete your visit.
- Desk - we will go over your application with you to make sure nothing has changed since you first applied. This also gives you a chance to ask any questions about the process you might have.
- Livescan - we will take your fingerprints with the livescan machine for the FBI/DOJ part of the background check.
- Photo - we will take your photo on the day of your appointment. That photo will be placed on your CCW permit, if you are approved.
Interested in becoming a San Diego County CCW Vendor for the 2025-2026 term? Click here.
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Sheriff's License and Registration Division 9621 Ridgehaven Ct San Diego, CA 92123 Main Office: 858-974-2020 Email: ccw@sdsheriff.org Office Hours: 8:00-4:00 (closed for lunch 12:00pm-1:00pm) The following statistics are provided the first week ,of each month:
*Total Active CCW Licenses - Number of active CCWs in San Diego County (currently includes all CCW renewals, modifies and does not account for those who have moved or did not renew) **Approved CCWs - Background is complete and letter of approval has been e-mailed. The applicant has 90 days from the date of approval to complete the Firearm Safety Course as specified in PC26165. ***Issued CCWs - CCW license has been issued. |
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CCW Fee Breakdown
| BEFORE 7-13-22 | INITIAL FEE | LIVESCAN (State fee) | FINAL FEE | TOTAL |
| STANDARD | $12.63 | $93.00 | $50.51 | $156.14 |
| JUDICIAL | $12.63 | $115.00 | $50.51 | $178.14 |
| RESERVE | $12.63 | $137.00 | $50.51 | $200.14 |
| 7-14-22 TO 7-13-23 | INITIAL FEE | LIVESCAN (State fee) | FINAL FEE | TOTAL |
| STANDARD | $20.00 | $93.00 | $80.00 | $193.00 |
| JUDICIAL | $20.00 | $115.00 | $80.00 | $215.00 |
| RESERVE | $20.00 | $137.00 | $80.00 | $237.00 |
| 7-14-23 TO 7-13-24 | INITIAL FEE | LIVESCAN (State fee) | FINAL FEE | TOTAL |
| STANDARD | $27.60 | $93.00 | $110.40 | $231.00 |
| JUDICIAL | $27.60 | $115.00 | $110.40 | $253.00 |
| RESERVE | $27.60 | $137.00 | $110.40 | $275.00 |
| 7-14-24 TO 7-13-25 | INITIAL FEE | LIVESCAN (State fee) | FINAL FEE | TOTAL |
| STANDARD | $35.20 | $93.00 | $140.80 |
$269.00 |
| JUDICIAL | $35.20 | $115.00 | $140.80 |
$291.00 |
| RESERVE | $35.20 | $137.00 | $140.80 |
$313.00 |
| CCW RENEWALS |
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| Standard | $77 |
| Judicial | $99 |
| Reserve |
$121 |
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CCW MODIFICATIONS $10 CCW DUPLICATES (lost/stolen) $10 |
