We are no longer calling CCW applicants.

All appointments that were April 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021 before our office closed in 2020 due to COVID-19 need to be rescheduled. If you have spoken to Jessica to reschedule your appointment, no further action is needed. Your appointment stands.

If you have not spoken to Jessica to verify your appointment, please send an email. You may also call the CCW Hotline at 858-974-2158

CCW applicants that are renewing and/or making modifications/changes to active licenses and have submitted in the online Permitium program will be contacted and scheduled in accordance to the expiration date on their license. We will only be able to assist confirmed appointments, meaning you spoke to someone in our office and they confirmed your appointment is still good.

Please do not automatically come to the office without confirming your appointment.

Permitium sends out generic, automated emails as we work on your application. Before you come to the office, it is highly suggested that you call to confirm your appointment.

We understand it is confusing. We had to cancel hundreds of appointments due to COVID-19 and we still need to assist those customers. As we start providing services again, we must limit the number of people in our lobby. We are working to reschedule appointments right now.

It is important that we can contact you via email and phone. If you reach out to us, please make sure to include your name, phone number, email and the reason for your contact.

Permitium – Applying for CCW Permits Online

Apply for a CCW

This pertains to all CCW transactions. As we process your CCWs online, we will communicate primarily through email. Please check your inbox, as well as, your spam/junk folder for messages from auto@permitium.com.

Address change, or adding/changing a firearm

No matter what you are modifying, please make sure to type in all the firearms that are supposed to be on your CCW. Even if you are only changing your address, type in the firearms. Same thing for duplicate CCWs. If you lost your CCW and are applying for a duplicate, list everything. Permitium is a new program for us and it requires that the most current information is in your application so we can print the card with the right information.

Apply for CCW

Steps to Apply

1. Enter your information in Permitium
2. Upload your supporting documentation in Permitium (see Supporting Documents below)
3. Make your own appointment
4. Pay – you have the option to pay online or choose "pay cash at counter"
5. Check your email frequently, including spam/junk folders

You may choose either ONE ITEM from Column A and ONE ITEM from either

Column B or C  or TWO items from Column A

What should I upload?

Everyone

Your driver's license, two (2) current monthly proofs of residence such as the most current utility bills, cable bill, cell phone bill, bank statements, etc.  See the list of acceptable proofs of residence.

Overdue bills will not be accepted. P.O. Boxes are not allowed.

Military

Military Orders stationing you in San Diego, DD-214, current paystubs, valid State ID (out-of-state driver's license is acceptable), military ID

Not Born in The United States of America

If you were not born in the United States, you will be required to upload verification that you are here in the U.S. legally by uploading:

• Naturalization Certificate
• Resident Alien Card (be sure to upload the back side showing the expiration date, if applicable).
• Valid US Passport
• Certificate of Birth Abroad

List of Supporting Documents

• City business license(s)
• Police reports
• Restraining orders
• Photos
• Receipts
• Last 2 paycheck stubs
• Work ID, contact name and number if we need to verify employment
• Corporate/LLC documents
• Contracts
• Specialized licenses (State Bar card, Security Guard card, Exposed Carry Permit, Contractor's license, Real Estate license, Broker's license, etc.)

This list is not all-inclusive. Rule of thumb: if it will support your reason for applying, upload it in Permitium.

Legal Name Change

Please upload the court order showing your previous and your current legal name.

You may apply for a CCW if you are stationed in San Diego.  Documents to upload include:

Active Military

• Current valid Military ID
• Orders stationing you in San Diego
• Two Current paystubs
• Current State ID (out-of-state driver's license is acceptable)
• Two proofs of residence (monthly bills)

 Discharged

• DD-214 (must show Character of Service ie: Honorable)
• Retired Military ID (if applicable)

If approved, you will be required to attend the 8 hour Firearm Safety Course, regardless of your job in the military and prior experience.

The application process is several months from when you first apply, until your appointment, background process and finally approval/denial stage.  Please consider this if you are only stationed in San Diego for a short time.

If you are having problems using Permitium (uploading documents, moving to the next screen, etc) please contact them directly:

Permitium Help Desk:  (855) 642-2453

Email: help@permitium.com

Word documents cannot be uploaded into Permitium.  Acceptable document formats are .IMG, .PNG, .JPG and .PDF

Max size for each document is 5MB

When you selected the next available appointment and it says 2022, unfortunately, that is accurate.  Your next impulse is to contact us and ask if you can get on a waiting list in case someone cancels their appointment or you cannot wait that long for your appointment so you ask to be expedited.

First, there is no waiting list.  It is rare that anyone cancels their appointment because they've also been waiting a long time.  If they do, it is usually at the last minute due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.  When this happens, we move to the next person in line to see if they are available.

Second, we do not expedite appointments.  We understand it is a long wait and that is frustrating for you and us.  We are moving as fast as we can considering the procedures we must follow and the public health restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you feel you have a situation that's urgent and must be considered for an earlier appointment, you may email ccw@sdsheriff.org with your situation.  A panel will review, discuss and determine whether or not your circumstance is relevant enough for us to double-book our staff.  Obviously, this is only done in rare instances.

If you have a true emergency and feel like you are in imminent danger, Penal Code PC26045(a) may apply to you.  We cannot give legal advice but provide this simply as a reference.  It reads: 

26045.  

(a) Nothing in Section 25850 is intended to preclude the carrying of any loaded firearm, under circumstances where it would otherwise be lawful, by a person who reasonably believes that any person or the property of any person is in immediate, grave danger and that the carrying of the weapon is necessary for the preservation of that person or property.

If you are approved for a new CCW, you will receive an email from auto@permitium.com. You will need to pay the final fee (you can do this online if you want) and complete an 8-hour Firearm Safety course. Part of the course is classroom and part is qualifying with the firearms you want listed on your CCW. At the end of the class, you will receive a Firearms Safety & Proficiency Certificate with the firearms make, model, caliber and serial number. Take this Certificate and upload it into Permitium (via the Order Tracker). Last step, contact us at 858-974-2020 to arrange a date/time to pick up your CCW.

It Comes Down to This

We are here to assist you as quickly and efficiently as possible, but we must follow safety/health guidelines and move at a cautious pace.

We will continue to update this page as changes occur. Thank you for your patience and support.

California Penal Code §26150 provides that the Sheriff may issue a concealed weapon license to law abiding residents of San Diego County provided that proof of all of the following criteria are met:

1. The applicant is of good moral character.
   
2. Good cause exists for issuance of the license.
   
3. The applicant is a resident of San Diego County or a city within the County and provides proof of residence.
   
4. The applicant has completed a course of training as described in Section 26165.

The concealed weapons license allows the licensee to carry a pistol revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.

Good cause is determined on an individual basis. Applicants for a CCW should be able to set forth a set of circumstances that distinguishes the applicant from other members of the general public and causes him/her to be placed in harm's way. Simply writing "self defense" or "personal protection" on an application does not provide requisite proof of good cause. However, the following criteria, upon proof, may establish good cause:

• Evidence that there has been, or is likely to be, an attempt on the part of a second party to do great bodily harm to the applicant.
• The nature of the business or occupation of the applicant is such that it is subject to personal risk and/or criminal attack, greater than the general population.
• A task of the business or occupation of the applicant requires transportation of large sums of money or other valuables and alternative protective measures or security cannot be employed.
• When a business or occupation is of a high-risk nature and requires the applicant's presence in a dangerous environment.
• The occupation or business of the applicant is such that no means of protection, security or risk avoidance can mitigate the risk other than the carrying of a concealed firearm.
• Personal protection is warranted to mitigate a threat to the applicant that the applicant is able to substantiate.
• Good cause could include, but is not limited to, verifiable documented instances of threats to the personal safety of the applicant, his or her family or employees. Threats to personal safety may be verbal or demonstrated through actual harm committed in the place of work, neighborhood or regular routes of travel for business. The applicant should articulate the threat as it applies personally to the applicant, his or her family or employees. Non-specific, general concerns about personal safety are insufficient.

Please Note: It is the goal of the San Diego County Sheriff Department that those persons who present proof of good cause, and meet all other qualifications, be issued a CCW if they so request. The Sheriff Department recognizes that individuals may also face threats to their safety by virtue of their profession, business or status and by virtue of their ability to readily access materials that, if forcibly taken, would be a danger to society. These threats should be articulated by the applicant and clearly identify his/her unique circumstances.

The above examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. They are provided merely for your reference. Also, state and local laws do not prohibit an adult from having a concealed firearm in their home of place of business.

Other verifications may be requested on an individual basis. Residence verifications, proof of good cause and proof of training class are required with subsequent (renewal) applications.

Application Process

Applications for a concealed weapons license (CCW) will now be submitted online through Permitium. Supporting documentation must also be uploaded during this process. You may pay with a credit card and schedule your appointment online. If you choose to pay in person with cash or check, there is an option to "pay cash at counter" as well.

Each application will be reviewed by License Division Staff to determine initial eligibility. Applications accepted will be individually investigated to determine residency, moral character, and good cause, anyone on any form of probation is automatically disqualified. There are four issuing categories in which the County of San Diego issues concealed weapons. Applicants will be required to submit documentation to support and demonstrate their need for any of the categories. The categories are:

1. Protected law enforcement
2. Personal protection
3. Security
4. Business

Initial Application Fees

San Diego Sheriff Department collects $12.63 plus the applicable Live scan (State) fee below. The remainder $50.51 to be submitted at the time of issuance.

• Standard (Two-year) license - $93.00
• Judicial (Three-year) license - $115.00 *You must be a Judge
• Reserve Peace Officer (Four-year) - $137.00 *You must be a Reserve Officer for Law Enforcement

Renewal Fees

A single payment in the form of cash or check made payable to San Diego Sheriff’s Department shall be submitted for renewal of a CCW permit as shown below:

• Standard (Two-year) license - $73.52
• Judicial (Three-year) license - $95.52
• Reserve Peace Officer (Four-year) - $117.52

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, have good cause and good moral character, pursuant to Penal Code §26150. For purposes of this application, applicants must submit proof of residency in the form of two current monthly bills that list their name, service address and mailing address (or other similar type proof). It is preferred that at least one of the monthly bills be a utility bill.

If there are other questions, please call Sheriff’s License Division at 858-974-2020.

rev: 2-11-20

AB 2103 Course of Training and Live Firearm Qualification Notice

Assembly Bill No. 2103

Assembly Bill No. 2103 On September 26, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown approved Assembly Bill No. 2103 that goes into effect on January 1, 2019. This bill requires CCW courses of training be at least eight hours, but shall not be required to exceed 16 hours. Assembly bill 2103 also requires the CCW course of training to include instruction on firearm handling, shooting technique, and to include a demonstration by the applicant, of shooting proficiency and safe handling of each firearm the applicant will be licensed to carry. The training will include live-fire exercises conducted on a firing range.

CCW Firearm Course of Training and Live Firearm Qualification

The California Penal Code §26165. (b), requires the licensing authority to establish and make available to the public, the standards it uses when issuing licenses with regards to the live fire shooting exercises it requires.

For any new license applicant the course of training for issuance of a license is eight hours of instruction on firearm safety, firearm handling, shooting technique and laws regarding the permissible use of a firearm.

For license renewal applicant the course of training for issuance of a license is four hours of instruction on firearm safety, firearm handling, shooting technique and laws regarding the permissible use of a firearm.

Practical Qualifications

100 rounds will be required for the eight (8) hour course however out of the 100 rounds, the qualification rounds and practice rounds are included. (70 rounds class practice, 15 rounds practice qualification, 15 rounds qualification=100 rounds)

50 rounds for the four (4) hour class, 20 rounds class practice, 15 rounds practice qualification and 15 rounds qualification =50 rounds)

Each additional firearm would require a minimum of 30 rounds, 15 rounds practice qualification and 15 rounds qualification.

Both the new applicant and the renewal applicant course of training shall include live-fire shooting exercises on a firing range and shall include a demonstration by the applicant of safe handling of, and shooting proficiency with, each firearm that the applicant is applying to be licensed to carry. The course of fire qualification requirements are as follows:

In order to pass the qualification course of fire, applicants must have 11 of the 15 Rounds fired either hit on the line of or inside of the target. If applicant cannot demonstrate proficiency, then the license cannot be granted.