Concealed Carry Weapon License Requirements: ^{must meet ALL requirements}

AUTHORITY

California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a Sheriff of a county or the Chief or other head of municipal police department of any city, or city and county, shall issue or renew a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (Concealed Carry Weapon license).

The licensing authority as specified above may issue a license to persons who:

1. Are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined by the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202
2. Meet residential requirements.
3. Submit to fingerprinting. 
4. Have completed a course of training (see “TRAINING REQUIRED” section of this page).

State and federal records will be checked to determine if applicants are eligible to possess firearms. Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county shall issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to prescribe a statewide standard application form for a CCW license. 

Answering all the questions on the Application does not guarantee the issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. The determination whether to issue the license is at the discretion of the licensing authority. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority will have a written policy summarizing their requirements for issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. 

In addition, prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon License, California law requires proof that:

• The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
• The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400 (a valid California Driver’s License or California Identification card issued by the DMV).
• The applicant is a resident of the city (or city and county issuing the license). Proof of residency includes, but is not limited to the address where the applicant is registered to vote; the applicant’s filing of a homeowner’s property tax exemption; and other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate more than temporary or transient presence. The presumption of residency in the county (or city within the county) may be rebutted by satisfactory evidence that the applicant’s primary residence is in another county or city within the county;
• Completion of the course of training prescribed by the licensing authority.
• The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.

FINGERPRINT/BACKGROUND CHECK

All initial (new) applicants are to be fingerprinted (Live Scan) at the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.  As part of the application process, applicants will schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted at Public Safety Headquarters.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct a criminal history check to assure the applicant does not have history which prohibits them by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm (Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.) Upon receipt of the DOJ background results, the Department of Public Safety will conduct a background investigation of the applicant pursuant to Department policy. 

To facilitate the Department of Public Safety background investigation, applicants must provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references.  If applicable, one of the three must be a person described in Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (b) (your spouse, or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child). 

TRAINING REQUIRED

If applying for a NEW Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be 16 hours for new applicants.

If applying for a RENEWAL Concealed Carry Weapon license, an 8-hour course approved by the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety must be completed prior to permit issuance.

If applying for a MODIFICATION to your current Concealed Carry Weapon license that includes a firearm change, you will need to submit training certifications from a training vendor approved by the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

Note: To assure that you are receiving the most current training related to best practices and compliance with the law, Firearms training certificates indicating passing/completion must be dated AFTER the date you received notification that you are “approved” to proceed to the training requirement. It may take several months for your CCW application to proceed through the approval process. All applicants will be subject to changes in law that take effect during the application process, particularly those laws declared as urgent measures or clauses which take immediate effect upon the Governor’s signature.

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety will accept training conducted at the approved training facilities by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office to satisfy your qualification certification. Training from any other facility will not be accepted. Approved training facilities are listed  Training Instructor List

ORDER NUMBER AND PASSWORD

After submitting an application* and payment of  fees, you will receive an email providing you with an Order Number.  Please print and save this email, as you will be required to access your Order throughout various stages of the CCW process.  To access your Order, go to the top of the page on this website, click on “ORDER TRACKER,” and type your Order Number and password.

* Types of application include NEW, RENEWAL, MODIFICATION or DUPLICATE

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants MUST reside in Sunnyvale. 

Prior to filling out an NEW CCW License application:

1. Be prepared to upload the following documents:

• • Proof of age: A copy of your valid California Driver’s license or California Identification card.
  • Proof of residence: The most recent copy of a property tax statement, grant deed or leases/rental agreement, major utility or phone bill (in your name) reflecting your residence address in Sunnyvale.
  • For applicants who have been formally discharged from U.S. Military Service, a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214) (not applicable for those who are in ‘inactive reserve status” or in the National Guard).

2. Be prepared to provide proof that you are the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of any pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.

Prior to filling out a RENEWAL or MODIFICATION Application

Be prepared to upload the following documents:

• Proof of age: A copy of your valid California Driver’s license or California Identification card.
• Proof of residence: The most recent copy of a property tax statement, grant deed or leases/rental agreement, major utility or phone bill (in your name) reflecting your residence address in Sunnyvale.
• (Renewals only) An 8-Hour Firearms Training Certificate which lists the date of your training, qualification, and proof that you qualified for each weapon that will be authorized/licensed on your CCW license.

To RENEW a current CCW license

1. Submit your application on time. DPS Policy requires that you submit your application within 90 days of expiration of your current license. Any lapsed applicant may be required to follow the process as a new applicant.

2. The fee for Renewal of a CCW License is collected at the time of the Renewal application is submitted.

3. The following will apply to all CCW License renewals:

• A CCW license renewal application must be submitted to the department that issued the original license (i.e., Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety will only renew CCW Licenses’ that were initially issued by this department). 
• All information submitted in an original CCW License application is verified through an in-person, virtual, or phone interview with the applicant.
• Applicants must complete a firearms training/instruction course which is at least eight (8) hours.  The class will include live-fire shooting exercises on a firing range and a demonstration by the applicant of safe handling and shooting proficiency with each firearm the applicant is applying to be licensed to carry.
• Psychological testing may be required if, upon consideration of all application documents and evidence, the Department of Public Safety determines that psychological testing is necessary.

To MODIFY an existing CCW license

1. The fee for Modification of a CCW License is collected at the time application is submitted.

2. Current CCW licensees may request to modify/amend their CCW license for the following:

• Add or delete authority to carry a firearm listed on the CCW License (Proof of qualification must be submitted for any new weapon added).
• Change address*, name, or other personal information.  
• Change of restrictions and/or limitations.

* Penal Code 26210(b): The licenses shall notify the licensing authority in writing within 10 days of any change in the licensee’s place of residence

3. IF ADDING A NEW FIREARM: Be prepared to upload your training certificate proving you qualified with your firearm with one of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety approved instructors. 

4. If the application for Modification/Amendment is approved, a new CCW licensee will be printed reflecting the modification(s). Amending or modifying a CCW license will not change expiration date of the license.

To Apply for/Receive a DUPLICATE CCW license:

1. Fees for Duplicate CCW Licenses are collected at the time the application is submitted.
2. A duplicate CCW License may be issued if an active CCW license is lost or stolen. The licensee must file a police report in the jurisdiction where the loss or theft occurred.
3. The following items MUST be uploaded with the application:

• • Proof of Identity: Copy of a valid California Driver’s License or California Identification Card issued by the DMV.
  • A copy of the face page of the police report which identifies the licensee’s name,
    address, complaint, and report date.

For More Information, Contact:

Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
700 All America Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94086 

Telephone: 408-730-7117
Email: licenses-permits@sunnyvale.ca.gov 

For Technical Support, Contact:

Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com