Ohio Concealed Carry Law (CCW)

Concealed Carry applications are accepted by APPOINTMENT ONLY. 

**  APPOINTMENTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING SCHEDULED OUT 3-4 WEEKS **

The Union County Sheriff’s Office will process 
Concealed Carry applications on the following days:

MONDAY & FRIDAY 
9:30 AM TO 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM TO 5:00 PM

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

If you have any questions concerning the Ohio Concealed Carry Law or if you need to schedule an appointment, please call 937-645-4103 ext. 4468.

Qualifications & Disqualifications to Obtain a Concealed Carry License:

1. You must be at least 21 years of age.
2. You must be a legal resident of the United States and an Ohio resident or resident of another state and employed in Ohio (employment proof required; i.e. current paystub, letter from employer). 
3. You must provide the sheriff's office with complete information about your background and you must also pass a federal NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) check. There are many laws and conditions that will disqualify you from obtaining a Concealed Carry License in Ohio. If a disqualifier is found, your application will be denied.   
   •  List of Disqualifying Factors 
     
4. You must provide proof of your competency certification. Competency can be established by completing an 8-hour certified firearms safety course. You must present your certificate from the certified firearms safety course within 3 years of course completion. The course may be completed online, but you must have a minimum of 2 hours of in-person training that consists of range time and live-fire training. If you are an active member, reserve member, retired, or honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces, you can establish competency with an active military identification card or qualifying DD214 without completing an 8-hour certified firearms safety course. 

The Application Process for New Concealed Carry Licenses

You can apply for a Concealed Carry License in ANY county in Ohio, regardless of which county you reside. 

To apply for a new Concealed Carry License at the Union County Sheriff’s Office, you must schedule an appointment and bring the following items with you:

• A completed State of Ohio Application for License to Carry a Concealed Handgun. This application can be picked up in the lobby of the Union County Sheriff's Office or can be downloaded online at https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Forms/Forms-for-Law-Enforcement/Concealed-Carry-License-and-Renewal-Application.aspx.
• One passport-size (2x2) color photograph taken within the last 30 days.
• A copy of your competency certificate.
• A current photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, state ID).

You must also pay a non-refundable application fee at the time of your appointment. The Union County Sheriff’s Office accepts MONEY ORDER, PERSONAL CHECK, or CERTIFIED BANK CHECK ONLY. Cash and credit/debit cards are NOT accepted. If you have lived in the State of Ohio for 5 years or more, the application fee is $67.00. If you have lived in Ohio less than 5 years, there is an additional $10.00 fee for an FBI background check. All money orders and checks must be made payable to the “Union County Sheriff’s Office.”

If you are an active member, reserve member, retired, or honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces, the application fee can be waived; however, this fee waiver is subject to a statewide cap of $1.5 million dollars each year. If the cap is reached, the application fee can no longer be waived until the following year. 

During your appointment, your application will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy. Fingerprints will be obtained and submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI&I) and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for a background check. 

If your application is approved, your Concealed Carry License will be mailed to you within 45 days. If your application has been denied, a certified letter will be mailed to explain the reason(s) for the denial. The appeal process will also be explained in the certified letter. PLEASE DO NOT CALL to check on the status of your application unless you fail to receive your license or a certified letter within 45 days.

Concealed Carry License Renewals

All Concealed Carry Licenses expire 5 years after the issue date. If you wish to renew your license, you may do so at any time. 

If your Concealed Carry License expires, you can carry a concealed handgun for an additional 30 days after the expiration date. After this 30-day grace period, you may not carry a concealed handgun until you have reapplied and received a new Concealed Carry License. This is no additional training required to renew your license, regardless of how long ago it expired. 

You can renew your Concealed Carry License in ANY county in Ohio, regardless of which county you reside or which county issued your previous license.

To renew your Concealed Carry License at the Union County Sheriff’s Office, you must schedule an appointment and bring the following items with you:

• A completed State of Ohio Application for License to Carry a Concealed Handgun. This application can be picked up in the lobby of the Union County Sheriff's Office or can be downloaded online at https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Forms/Forms-for-Law-Enforcement/Concealed-Carry-License-and-Renewal-Application.aspx.
• One (1) passport-size (2x2) color photograph taken within the last thirty (30) days.
• A previously issued concealed carry license – the license may be either expired or currently valid.
• A current photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, state ID).

You must also pay a non-refundable application fee at the time of your appointment. The Union County Sheriff’s Office accepts MONEY ORDER, PERSONAL CHECK, or CERTIFIED BANK CHECK ONLY. Cash and credit/debit cards are NOT accepted. If you have lived in the State of Ohio for 5 years or more, the application fee is $50.00. If you have lived in Ohio less than 5 years, there is an additional $10.00 fee for an FBI background check. All money orders and checks must be made payable to the “Union County Sheriff’s Office.”

If you are an active member, reserve member, retired, or honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces, the application fee can be waived; however, this fee waiver is subject to a statewide cap of $1.5 million dollars each year. If the cap is reached, the application fee can no longer be waived until the following year. 

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Concealed Carry License

If your Concealed Carry License has been lost or stolen, you must report it to the county that issued your license. If the license was issued by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, you must schedule an appointment to have your license replaced. You must appear in person and provide either a report filed with a law enforcement agency OR a notarized statement advising that the license was lost or stolen. You must also pay a nonrefundable fee of $15.00. The Union County Sheriff’s Office accepts MONEY ORDER, PERSONAL CHECK, or CERTIFIED BANK CHECK ONLY. Cash and credit/debit cards are NOT accepted. All money orders and checks must be made payable to the “Union County Sheriff’s Office.”

Updating Name or Address on a Concealed Carry License

If you need to change your name or address on your Concealed Carry License, you must report the updated information to the county that issued your license. To change your name, Union County license holders must provide legal documentation of your name change (i.e. marriage license). To change your address, Union County license holders must fill out an Address Change Form. All changes can be made at the Union County Sheriff’s Office during normal business hours, emailed to ssanders@unioncountyohio.gov, faxed to 937-645-4171, or mailed to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Concealed Carry License at 221 West 5^th Street, Marysville, Ohio 43040. 

Although it is not required, if you wish to obtain a replacement Concealed Carry License displaying your new name or address, you must schedule an appointment and pay a nonrefundable fee of $15.00. The Union County Sheriff’s Office accepts MONEY ORDER, PERSONAL CHECK, or CERTIFIED BANK CHECK ONLY. Cash and credit/debit cards are NOT accepted. All money orders and checks must be made payable to the “Union County Sheriff’s Office.”

Temporary Emergency Licenses

The law allows for the issuance of an emergency license without proof of competency certification under extraordinary circumstances. The law states that upon receipt of evidence of imminent danger, a sworn affidavit, an application fee, and a set of applicant fingerprints for a background check, a license will be issued. This license can be issued to an Ohio resident or non-resident temporarily staying in Ohio.

Evidence of imminent danger must take two forms:

1. A sworn statement by the applicant that states he or she has reasonable cause to fear a criminal attack upon themselves or a member of their family such as would justify a prudent person to arm themselves; or 
2. A written document from a government entity or public official describing facts that give the person reasonable cause to fear such a criminal attack. Such documents may include, but are not limited to, temporary protection orders, civil protection orders, a protection order from another state, a court order, and any report filed with or made by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor.  

A sworn affidavit must attest that the applicant is a legal resident of the United States, at least 21 years of age, not a fugitive from justice, is not under indictment or charged with a crime, and has not been convicted of disqualifying crimes listed in ORC 2923.125(D)(1).

If the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a disqualifying offense and they have been relieved from this disability under operation of law or legal process, the offense(s) shall not be relevant for purposes of the sworn affidavit. For information on relief from disability, consult a private attorney. 

The temporary emergency license lasts for 90 days and MAY NOT BE RENEWED.  If you wish to have your license last longer, you must apply for the license through the normal process and present proof of competency certification. 

If you need to apply for a temporary emergency license, please contact Director Betsy Spain by calling (937) 645-4131 or email bspain@unioncountyohio.gov.