The Georgia Weapons Carry License: How to Get One
Georgia does not require a licence to carry a handgun any more, so the first question most people ask is why the Weapons Carry License still exists. The short answer is reciprocity, convenience and a paper record of eligibility. This guide explains what the licence does, who can get one, what it costs and how the probate court process works. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is current as of September 2026.
What permitless carry changed, and what it did not
Senate Bill 319 took effect in April 2022 and created the category of lawful weapons carrier in O.C.G.A. 16-11-126. A lawful weapons carrier is an adult who would be eligible for a Georgia Weapons Carry License and who is not otherwise barred from possessing a firearm. If you fit that description you may carry a handgun openly or concealed without applying for anything.
What did not change: the list of restricted places in O.C.G.A. 16-11-127, the prohibited-person rules, and the fact that other states decide for themselves whether to honour a Georgian's carry rights. Permitless carry is a Georgia rule. It does not travel.
Reasons people still apply
- Reciprocity. A Georgia licence is recognised by a long list of other states. Without one, you are relying on whatever that state's own permitless carry law says about non-residents, which is a thinner and more variable thing.
- Proof of eligibility. The licence is a card that shows a court checked your record. That can shorten conversations.
- Some settings ask for it. Certain venues, employers and out-of-state rules still reference a licence by name.
One thing the licence does not do: it is not a substitute for a background check at the dealer counter. Georgia's licences stopped qualifying as a Brady alternative in October 2005, so the dealer still runs NICS when you pick up an order from our online shop.
Who can apply
You must be at least 21 and a resident of the county where you apply. Applicants aged 18 to 20 may qualify if they have completed basic training in the United States armed forces and can show proof of active duty or an honourable discharge. You must not fall into any of the disqualifying categories in O.C.G.A. 16-11-129, which include felony convictions, pending felony charges, certain drug offences, certain mental health adjudications and hospitalisations, and being a fugitive.
Where you apply
You apply at the probate court of your county of residence, which for our readers is the {county} County Probate Court. There is no statewide office. Most counties now route the paperwork through the Georgia probate records portal, then require you to appear in person to sign the application in front of a clerk and consent to the background check. Bring a Georgia driver's licence or state ID showing your current county address.
Fees
The statutory figures are consistent across the state, although counties add small card-processing charges:
- New application, including fingerprints and the background search: $77.
- Renewal: $30.
- Replacement for a lost or stolen licence: about $6.
- Retired law enforcement officers: no fee in many counties.
Personal cheques are usually refused. Cards, money orders and cashier's cheques are the norm. Check your own county's page before you drive over.
Fingerprints and the background check
New applicants are fingerprinted, and the statute requires that to happen within five business days of filing the application. Prints go to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and on to the FBI. Renewals generally do not require fresh prints, but you must bring the old licence with you; without it, most courts will treat the application as new.
How long it takes and how long it lasts
The licence is valid for five years unless a court revokes it. Processing time varies by county and by how quickly the criminal history check returns. Some courts issue a temporary licence while the background work finishes. Plan for weeks rather than days, especially in the larger metro counties.
Renewing
Apply within 90 days before your expiry date, or within 30 days after it, and you pay the $30 renewal fee rather than the full $77. Miss that window and you start over as a new applicant, fingerprints and all. Put the date in your phone the day the licence arrives.
Reciprocity
The Georgia Attorney General maintains the official list of states that recognise a Georgia Weapons Carry License and the states whose licences Georgia recognises. That list moves, so check it before a road trip rather than after. Recognition does not mean identical rules: the destination state's restricted places, vehicle rules and duty-to-inform requirements apply to you while you are there.
Carrying responsibly once you have it
A licence does not change where you may carry. Courthouses, jails, secure government buildings, polling places during voting, nuclear facilities and state mental health institutions remain off limits, and private property owners can say no. Our Georgia gun law overview lists the restricted places in more detail.
If you carry daily, invest in a holster that covers the trigger guard completely and a belt stiff enough to hold it. Most negligent discharges during carry come from soft holsters, drawstrings and pocket carry without a pocket holster. Browse belts, holsters and lights in our gun shop, and read our home defence guide for the statutes on when force is justified.
If something goes wrong
Report a lost or stolen licence to the issuing probate court and ask about a replacement. If your licence is revoked or an application is refused, the court must give you the reason in writing, and O.C.G.A. 16-11-129 sets out an appeal path through the courts. A Georgia firearms lawyer is the right call at that point.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and reflects Georgia law as of September 2026. Fees and procedures are set by statute but administered county by county, so confirm details with the {county} County Probate Court before you go.
General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.
