Permit to carry a handgun

The federal court has stayed the ruling to issue gun permits to individuals aged 18 - 20. 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

Renewal permit

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

31 or more days after expiration

Appointment hours and locations

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

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

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:

To update your permit

In person

• 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.
• If you would like an updated permit to carry card, a payment of $10 is required.
• Pay $10 by check, cash, credit or debit cards. Cards have a 2.5% convenience fee.

Locations and hours

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

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

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 the application, print and sign it. Permit to carry application (PDF) View

Step 2

Mail these items:

• Completed application
• If you would like an updated permit to carry card, a payment of $10 is required.

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.

Lost or stolen permits

If you have lost your permit to carry card, please contact 612-348-8008 for more information.

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.

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

2024

• Monday, January 1, 2024 (New Year's Day)
• Monday, January 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King)
• Monday, February 19, 2024 (President's Day)
• Monday, May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day)
• Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (Juneteenth)
• Thursday, July 4, 2024 (Independence Day)
• Monday, September 2, 2024 (Labor Day)
• Monday, November 11, 2024 (Veteran's Day)
• Thursday, November 28, 2024 (Thanksgiving Day)
• Friday, November 29, 2024 (Thanksgiving Friday)
• Wednesday, December 25, 2024 (Christmas Day)