Firearm Transfer Applications

FFLs - Contact Information for Firearm Transfer Application Submission

Each police department and sheriff's office in WA is responsible for running the criminal and mental health background checks for the citizens living in their jurisdictions when is comes to pistol and semi-automatic rifle purchases.

The Process
The Federal Firearm Dealer is required to submit each Firearm Transfer Application (FTA) to a law enforcement agency by the end of the business day. If the application is started at 5:30pm or on a weekend/holiday, the deadline would be the end of the next business day.

On the police department's receipt of the Firearm Transfer Application, a ten business day timer begins. Our police records staff have ten business days to notify the dealer that the Firearm Transfer Application was approved, denied, or delayed.

A "delay" happens when information in the criminal or mental health history has to be clarified and staff need additional time past the ten business days to determine whether that information needs to result in a denial. 

Background Checks
Mental Health Commitments - Washington State Health Care Authority (up to five business days but usually returns in two-three) 
Local Juvenile & Non-Arrest Convictions - Washington State Courts
The entire process usually takes 2-4 business days but can be extended up to the ten business days if clarification is required. 

Denials and Appealing It
Any person who believes s/he has been wrongly denied a firearm transfer may request an appeal.  The FBI has a good guide to read - NICS Guide for Appealing a Firearm Background Check

To Appeal the denial - https://www.edo.cjis.gov/

Even after a successful appeal, you may find yourself denied every time you attempt to purchase a pistol or semi-automatic rifle. To counteract this unfortunate by-product of the law and of computer delays,  NICS has established the Voluntary Appeal File (VAF). The Voluntary Appeal File is designed for firearm purchasers who believe they are legally allowed to buy firearms, but they have been denied more than once or frequently experience delays in their transactions. If approved for the  Voluntary Appeal File, you'll be assigned an Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN). For future firearms transactions, you will provide your UPIN for your background check.