South Africa - How To Apply for the renewal of a licence to possess a firearm

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for Renewal of a Firearm license in person, the person who needs a license for firearm should visit the office of South African Police Service or any nearest Police station.
2. Contacts and Address information can be found in the link given below: Link Click on your province name in the map displayed to get contact details of the police stations in your province.
3. Visit the office of SAPS or any nearest police station and get the application form for renewal of a Firearm license SAPS 518(a) from the Designated Firearm Officer. The application can also be downloaded by clicking the following link: Link
4. Fill the application as required with all the relevant details in the relevant sections that are to be filled by the person who needs to renew the Firearm license.
5. Once completed, the applicant should submit the form to the Designated Firearm Officer (DFO) along with all the documents listed in the “Required documents” section of this page.
6. Then, the DFO will capture a complete set of your fingerprints on the Fingerprint form (SAPS 91(a)). The applicant will be issued with a remittance advice (SAPS 523(a)) by the DFO and he/she is required to visit the financial office at the police station for paying the fees for the process.
7. After paying the fees as prompted, get the receipt of proof (Z263) for the payment made, from the financial office and submit it to the DFO which will serve as a proof of payment and make the DFO proceed the application process.
8. On receipt of the payment proof, a signed acknowledgement will be issued as a proof for submission of your Firearm license renewal application.
9. Upon receipt of the success report about the inspection of the firearm safeguarding facilities, the DFO will process your application and renew your firearm license.

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Required Documents

• Completely filled SAPS 518(a) form
• Original copy of official Identity document or certified copy of PRP
• Valid Competency certificate
• Two numbers of clear Passport-size colour photographs (only three months older)
• Original firearm license, permit or authorisation

Office Locations & Contacts

South African Police Service (SAPS) - Head Office
Physical Address : Wachthuis Building
231 Pretorius Street
Pretoria
Postal Address: Private Bag X94
Pretoria
0001
Telephone: +27 (0) 12 393 1000
Website: Contacts link
SAPS Telephone Directory: Link

South African Police Service (SAPS) police stations

Eligibility

• The applicant must possess an authorised firearm and a valid firearm license. Also a valid competency certificate should be available with the applicant.
• Any person who wishes to renew his/her firearm licence to possess a firearm, to deal in firearms, manufacture firearms or conduct business as a gunsmith must apply for the applicable licence at least 90 days before the date of expiry of the licence.

Fees

• Renewal of firearm licence: R80.00
  

Validity

• The validity of the license varies between two and ten years depending on the type of license. Refer the link below for various categories and corresponding validities: Link
  

Documents to Use

• Application form (SAPS 518 (a)): Link
  
• Application filling procedure: Link
  

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

According to the Firearms Control Act, the SAPS have 90 days to process an application. This has however been extended to 120 working days, due to strain put on the system. There is no science to exactly how long your application will take. It is recommended to hand in your applications as soon as possible.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• All firearm licences and permits must be renewed within the prescribed period. You must renew your new firearm license and corresponding competency certificate 3 months before it expires.
• The applications for the renewal of a licence or permit to possess a firearm are subject to the provision that the applicant must be in possession of a valid and relevant competency certificate.

Required Information

• Particulars of the applicant
• Particulars of the interpreter (if any)
• Particulars of the Authorized person (in case of nominee)

Need for the Document

• The purpose of renewing a firearm licence and permit is to determine if a person still complies with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000, and the Firearms Regulations, 2004, in order to ensure effective control and responsible firearm and ammunition ownership.
  

Information which might help

• If an application for the renewal of a licence or permit has been lodged within the prescribed period, the licence or permit will remain valid until the status of the application has been decided.
• The application will be regarded as decided after the appeal process has been completed. No application for the renewal of a licence or permit may be granted unless the applicant shows that he/she has continued to comply with the requirements for the licence.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

https://www.gunlicence.co.za/

Others

More information which might help people.