About us 

Firearms Licensing

Thames Valley Police licenses 6,399 firearm, 27,707 shot gun, and 441 explosives certificate holders - the second largest in the country.

Firearms are licensed in accordance with the Firearms Acts 1968-1997 and other associated acts. Our priority is to support the legal, safe and secure possession of firearms within Thames Valley.

Renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates – important information

The peak renewal period for firearm and shotgun certificates began in September 2009 and will last for four years.

Where there is no concern for public safety and the applicant fulfils all legislative criteria, Thames Valley Police will endeavour to process the renewal of a firearm or shotgun certificate within 60 working days from date of receipt.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your application to renew is received by the Thames Valley Police Firearms Licensing Department at least 60 working days before the expiry of your current certificate.

To assist you, Thames Valley Police sends out renewal packs four calendar months before the expiry date of your certificate and a reminder letter six weeks before the expiry date of your certificate.

If your application to renew is not received before the reminder letter, we are unable to guarantee that your application will be processed before the expiry date of your current certificate. If this is the case, you are strongly advised to make alternative storage arrangements to prevent you from being in unlawful possession of your guns and the following steps must be taken:

Firearms

• All firearms and ammunition held must be taken to a Registered Firearms Dealer for safe keeping until you receive your new certificate.

Shotguns

• All shotguns held may either be taken to a Registered Firearms Dealer or another current shotgun certificate holder who has adequate storage facilities for safe keeping until you receive your new certificate.

Notification

• The Firearms Licensing Department must be informed of the location of any guns held. View ‘notice of transfer or disposal of a firearm or shotgun’ page for more information.

Fees

• The appropriate fees will be incurred.

Contact the Firearms Licensing department

Thames Valley Police
Firearms and Explosive Licensing Department
Police Headquarters
Kidlington
Oxfordshire
OX5 2NX.

Telephone - 01865 846566 (lines are open from 2.00pm - 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Please note, these revised times are as a result of the high volume of work that we are currently experiencing).

Fax - 01865 293826.

Email the Firearms Licensing department, or contact your local firearms enquiry officer.

Applications

Please fill out the appropriate application form after reading the information below.

Applicants must:

• Complete the application form honestly and accurately.
• Send four photographs of the correct size.
• Sign one copy.
• Have one copy signed by the counter signatory or referee.
• Send a cheque for the correct amount, payable to Thames Valley Police.
• Have the two referees return their forms.

We will endeavour to process your application within the following times, from date of receipt:

• Grant, renewal or variation of a firearm certificate - within 60 working days.
• Grant or renewal of a shot gun certificate - within 60 working days.
• Change of address - within 30 working days.
• Issue a European Firearms Pass - within 20 working days.
• Issue a temporary permit - within 20 working days.

Please note: No commitment can be made for Visitor's Firearms or Shot Gun Permits due to the requirement for checks within Interpol. Visit the Interpol website (opens new window).

Fees

Firearms Certificate Grant - £50.
Renewal - £40.
Variation of Firearm Certificate - £26.

Shotgun Certificate Grant - £50.
Renewal - £40.
Coterminous Renewal of Shotgun - £10.

Dealer’s Certificate of Registration - £150.
Renewal of Dealer’s Certificate - £150.
Visitor’s Firearm Permit - *£12.
Visitor’s Shotgun Permit - *£12.

* To a maximum of £60 for a group application.

There is no fee for the following services:

• European Firearms Pass.
• Temporary Firearm Permit.
• Temporary Shot Gun Permit.