Find out how to apply for or reapply for a firearms licence, including applying through MyFirearms, other application options, what happens after you submit your application, and how to renew your licence.
Check you meet the requirements and have all the information you need.
Before you apply for a firearms licence
We recommend you allow 4 to 5 months for your firearms licence application to be processed, as it takes time to arrange and carry out the required interviews and inspections.
To use MyFirearms, you must have a mobile phone and a RealMe login.
MyFirearms is our online portal that lets you provide information for the Firearms Registry and apply for and manage your firearms licensing.
RealMe login is a service from the New Zealand government that lets you use one username and password to access a wide range of services online.
If you do not have a RealMe login already, you’ll be prompted to create one before you start. You do not need a RealMe verified identity.
Visit MyFirearms and log in with RealMe. You’ll need your mobile phone to carry out the security check.
To use MyFirearms, you must first create a MyFirearms profile.
Select 'Complete Your Profile' and complete the form.
You need to provide your name, date of birth and the details of your New Zealand firearms licence. If you do not have a firearms licence yet, enter your name as it appears on your driver licence.
A MyFirearms profile is unique to each person. It will be linked to your firearms licence, so you do not need to provide these details again when using MyFirearms.
To apply or reapply for a firearms licence, select 'New Zealand Firearms Licence' and complete the form.
You can pay online with Visa or Mastercard. You will be charged a card surcharge of 1.9%.
Note: When you apply online, you must pay the application fee in MyFirearms. Do not pay the application fee at an NZ Post shop
Review the summary, then submit the form.
You’ll receive an email to confirm we’ve received your application.
If you can't apply online through MyFirearms, you can submit your application by courier. Applications submitted by courier post may take longer to process.
Download, complete all sections, and sign the form.
Submitting an incomplete form will delay the processing of your application.
You must pay at your local NZ Post shop.
If you're overseas, ask a trusted person to pay the fee on your behalf. There are separate fees for a firearms licence application and endorsement application.
While you’re there, you can also submit your application and supporting documentation via courier to:
National Support Team, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, Level 3, 210 Federal Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
Applications submitted by courier post may take longer to process.
Once we’ve received your application, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand will carry out further checks to assess if you are fit and proper to hold a licence.
This includes:
We recommend you submit your application for a new firearms licence 4 months before the expiry date on your current licence.
If you choose to apply earlier, we may ask you to resupply some details before we issue your licence. This is to make sure we have the most recent information to consider when deciding on the outcome of your application.
Note: Reapplying for a firearms licence is often referred to as a 'renewal', but you are not actually renewing your old licence. Each time you apply for a firearms licence, your application is considered in full against the requirements of the Arms Act 2026.
If we receive your application before your current licence expires, you can continue to possess and use firearms and ammunition until you get a decision about your new application under section 79 of the Arms Act 2026. This means you can still undertake your usual activities as a firearms licence holder while you wait for your new licence card to come in the mail.
Keep hold of your old licence card while you wait for your new one to come in the mail. A seller can use the firearms licence checker tool to validate the current status of your firearms licence while you await your new licence card.
If your current status cannot be validated in the Firearms Licence Checker tool please contact us. Email MyFirearms.support@firearmssafety.govt.nz, or call 0800 844 431 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Your new firearms licence will be valid for 10 years.
This does not apply if your old licence is revoked or surrendered during this time.
If we receive your application after the expiry date on your current licence, it will expire.
This means that, until your new firearms licence is issued:
Your new firearms licence will be valid for 5 years.
Your new firearms licence will be valid for 5 years.
If your licence has been revoked, you:
- must immediately surrender their licence to an arms officer or a Police employee
- ceases to be licensed to possess any arms items, ammunition, or restricted ammunition
- must deliver all arms items, and ammunition, and restricted ammunition in their possession or under their control to an arms officer or a Police employee on demand.
Revocation of licences | Arms Act 2026, Section 153| New Zealand Legislation website
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 | Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870) 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |