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Concealed Pistol Licenses

Due to limited staffing and an overwhelming number of phone calls, voicemails, emails, and letters you may now schedule your own appointment in order to receive services from our office using our eScheduler (see below).

Easy as 1-2-3

Step 1: Prepare. (Read this page before moving to Step 2)

Step 2: Apply. Click here to complete CPL Application

Step 3: Schedule. Click here to schedule an appointment

General Information

An applicant must complete the CPL Application and return the unsigned form and documentation of the required training to the county clerk's office in the county in which he or she resides. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted into the United States, have knowledge and training in the safe use and handling of a pistol by successfully completing an appropriate pistol safety training course or class and be a legal resident of Michigan and reside in Michigan for at least six months immediately prior to application.

DUE TO REQUIRED MAINTENANCE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN'S CPL PROGRAM, WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS CPL APPLICATIONS ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM, ONLY
Concealed Pistol License Guide & Application

An applicant is a resident of Michigan if one of the following applies:

  • The applicant possesses a valid, lawfully obtained Michigan driver's license or official Michigan personal identification card.

  • The applicant is lawfully registered to vote in Michigan.

  • The applicant is on active duty status with the United States Armed Forces and is stationed outside of Michigan, but Michigan is the applicant's home of record.

  • The applicant is on active duty status with the United States Armed Forces and is permanently stationed in Michigan, but the applicant's home of record is another state.

Note: The county clerk shall waive the six-month residency requirement if one of the following applies:
  • For an emergency license, if the applicant is a petitioner for a personal protection order issued under MCL 600.2950 or MCL 600.2950a.

  • For an emergency license, if the county sheriff determines that there is clear and convincing evidence to believe that the safety of the applicant or the safety of a member of the applicant's family or household is endangered by the applicant's inability to immediately obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol.

  • For a new resident, if the applicant holds a valid concealed pistol license issued by another state at the time the applicant's residency in this state is establishedand must have resided in this state for at least six months. Applicants must meet certain criteria as to criminal history and mental illness. Applicants must provide proof of pistol training and safety programs from a certified firearms instructor, the pistol safety certificate must state, "This course complies with Section 5j of 1927 PA 372" and "the individual has successfully completed the course. The pistol safety certificate must also contain the printed name and signature of the instructor. Applicants must provide a valid driver's license or state I.D. showing residency in Wayne County. The address on the applicant's I.D. must match the address provided on the application.

New Application Process

The applicant must file the application with the county clerk in the county in which he or she resides. The application shall be signed under oath by the applicant. The oath shall be administered by the county clerk or his or her representative.

  1. The applicant must also:
    • Include a certificate stating that the applicant has completed the required pistol safety training course.
    • If an applicant does not have a digitized photograph on file with the Michigan Secretary of State, include a passport-quality photograph.
    • Pay all applicable fees. For all applications, there is a $100.00 application and licensing fee payable to the county clerk. The county clerk will provide a receipt for payment of fees.
  1. Upon paying all applicable fees and filing the application, the applicant must have classifiable fingerprints taken by the county clerk, state police, sheriff's office, local police agency, or other entity that provides fingerprinting services.
  2. The entity providing fingerprinting services shall issue a receipt when fingerprints are taken so long as the applicant has provided an application receipt.
  3. The entity providing fingerprint services will fingerprint the applicant and immediately forward the fingerprints to the MSP for processing.
  4. The county clerk shall issue a license or notice of statutory disqualification within 45 days after the date the applicant has classifiable fingerprints taken.

Pistol Safety Training Course

Those required to take a pistol safety training course include:

  • All new applicants.

  • Persons with a CPL that has been expired more than one year.

  • The pistol safety training course requirement is waived for an applicant who is a retired police officer or a retired law enforcement officer as defined in MCL 28.421(1)(j).

    Click here for info about the Pistol Safety Training course

CPL Renewal Information

Renewals can be submitted online using your renewal PIN that was sent via U.S. Mail from the Wayne County Clerk's Office. If you are in need of your PIN, please email clerkhelp@waynecounty.com or call 313-967-6938.

Click Here For Online CPL Renewal Website

Click here for more CPL Renewal Information

Emergency CPL

There are two instances when a clerk may issue an emergency CPL:

  1. The individual has obtained a personal protection order issued under MCL 600.2950 or 600.2950a.

  2. A county sheriff determines there is clear and convincing evidence to believe the safety of the applicant or the safety of a member of the applicant's family or household is endangered by the applicant's inability to immediately obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol.

    Click here for more information about Emergency CPL

Denials

If the county clerk issues a notice of statutory disqualification, the county clerk must within five business days do all of the following:

  1. Inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the disqualification that includes a statement of each statutory disqualification identified, the source record for each statutory disqualification identified, and the contact information for the source of the record for each statutory disqualification identified.

  2. Inform the applicant that he or she should contact the source of the record for any statutory disqualification to correct any errors in the record resulting in the statutory disqualification.

  3. Inform the applicant in writing of his or her right to appeal the notice of statutory disqualification to their circuit court of jurisdiction.

Appeals

  1. An applicant may appeal the notice of statutory disqualification, failure to issue a receipt, or failure to issue a license to the circuit court in the judicial circuit in which he or she resides. The appeal shall be determined by a review of the record for error.

  2. If the circuit court determines the notice of statutory disqualification, failure to issue a receipt, or failure to issue a license was clearly erroneous, the court shall order the county clerk to issue a receipt or CPL as required by Michigan law.

  3. If the court determines the decision to deny issuance of a receipt or CPL to an applicant was arbitrary and capricious, the court shall order the county clerk, entity taking fingerprints, or the state, to pay the actual costs and actual attorney fees of the applicant in appealing the denial, according to each entity's degree of responsibility.

  4. If the court determines an applicant's appeal was frivolous, the court shall order the applicant to pay the actual costs and actual attorney fees of the county clerk, entity taking fingerprints, or the state in responding to the appeal.

Claim of Appeal on Application for Concealed Weapon License Form

E-file an Appeal

Fees

New Application: $100.00

Renewal Application: $115.00

Reapplication: $100.00

Replacement/Duplicate License: $10.00

Fingerprints: $15.00

Emergency CPL: $10.00

Make payable to the Wayne County Clerk by money order, cashiers check, certified check, cash or credit card. NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

Additional Information

Compilation of Michigan Firearms Laws Michigan State Police Website

Application Steps

  • Complete Concealed Pistol Application / Renewal form for renewal application
  • If Customer is requesting exemption from Pistol Free Zone, they must present proof for exemption.

  • Original Pistol Training & Safety Certificate. (not required for Renewal unless CPL has been expired more than one year)

  • Valid Driver's License or State I.D. showing current residence in Wayne County

  • Emergency Sheriff & PPO CPL Applications are processed at our Downtown Detroit Office ONLY

  • Replacement/Duplicate Licenses are processed at our Downtown Detroit Office ONLY

NEW ONE-STOP SHOP VITAL STATISTICS RECORDS OFFICE

400 Monroe St.
Suite 610
Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 967-6938
Mon., Tue., Wed., Fri.: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursdays. 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Cash, Money Orders & Credit Cards Only
NO PERSONAL CHECKS


DUE TO REQUIRED MAINTENANCE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN'S CPL PROGRAM, WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS CPL APPLICATIONS ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM, ONLY