Subject to statutory exceptions, Illinois requires a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card before you can legally purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition. This guide walks first-time buyers through the entire process, from obtaining a FOID card to taking your firearm home.[1]
Step 1: Obtain a FOID Card
Unless a statutory exception applies, you must have a valid FOID card issued by the Illinois State Police (ISP) before you can buy any firearm in Illinois. You also need one to acquire or possess firearm ammunition. To apply:[2]
- Visit the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal at ispfsb.com
- Create an account and complete the electronic application
- If you are over 18, provide your Illinois driver's license or state ID number. Applicants who are not Illinois residents and are employed as law enforcement officers, as armed security officers in Illinois, or by the United States Military permanently assigned in Illinois must furnish the driver's license number or state identification card number from their state of residence.
- Provide a photograph meeting ISP requirements, or submit fingerprints if you qualify for the religious exemption. Applicants 21 or older seeking the exemption must also provide an approved IRS Form 4029.
- Pay the $10 application fee (plus payment processing fees). Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, members of the Illinois National Guard and members of the U.S. Reserve Forces are exempt from the application fee.
You must be at least 21 years old to apply independently. If you are under 21, you must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a traffic offense or adjudged delinquent, and you need the written consent of a parent or legal guardian to possess and acquire firearms and firearm ammunition. The parent or legal guardian must not be an individual prohibited from having a FOID card and must file an affidavit with the ISP stating that he or she is not prohibited. The statute does not require the parent to hold a card. Under-21 active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Illinois National Guard may apply without parental consent, and they must annually submit proof to the ISP.[1]
Step 2: Wait for FOID Approval
The ISP has a statutory deadline of 30 days to process new FOID applications. In 2020, the ISP Firearms Services Bureau received an unprecedented number of new FOID and concealed carry applications, and the ISP reported a backlog of new FOID applications. Check your application status through the ISP portal. Do not attempt to purchase a firearm until your FOID card has been issued and is in your possession.[3]
Step 3: Choose a Licensed Dealer
Illinois requires firearms dealers to hold both a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and a state-issued Firearm Dealer License Certification (FDLC) from the ISP. Purchase your first firearm from a licensed dealer to ensure all background check and transfer requirements are properly handled.[4]
Step 4: Background Check
When you buy a firearm from a dealer, the dealer will request a background check through the Illinois State Police Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP). The ISP searches criminal history records, FBI/NICS databases, and Department of Human Services files. The dealer cannot transfer the firearm to you until the FTIP check is approved.[5]
Step 5: The 72-Hour Waiting Period
Illinois generally requires a 72-hour waiting period before delivery of a purchased firearm. The clock starts when you and the seller agree to the purchase, and, unless a statutory exception applies, the dealer cannot release the firearm to you until 72 hours have elapsed. This applies to any firearm, including both handguns and long guns.[5]
Step 6: Take Possession
After the 72-hour waiting period has passed and your FTIP background check is approved, return to the dealer to pick up your firearm. You will need to display your FOID card (or a currently valid Illinois concealed carry license) and present a valid government-issued photo ID. You will complete the buyer information and certifications on federal Form 4473, and the dealer will complete its portions and retain the transaction record.
Age Restrictions to Keep in Mind
On September 17, 2026, DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel concluded that the federal handgun-sale restrictions in 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1) and (c)(1) are unconstitutional as applied to otherwise law-abiding adults aged 18 to 20. This is an executive-branch legal opinion. It does not amend Illinois law or establish how an Illinois dealer currently processes a purchase. Read the OLC opinion. If you are 18 to 20 with a FOID card (obtained through parental consent or as an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Illinois National Guard), you may purchase rifles and shotguns from a dealer. The federal restriction in 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1) applies to sales by licensees, and you may possess a handgun received through a private transfer or gift from a family member.[6]
Private Purchases
If you buy from a private seller rather than a dealer, the seller must either transfer the firearm through an FFL (who will run a background check) or verify your FOID card through the ISP verification portal at verify.ispfsb.com. Exceptions include a bona fide gift to a listed family member. The 72-hour waiting period still applies to private sales. The seller must keep a record of the transfer for 10 years from the date of transfer. If the seller verifies your FOID card through the ISP, you must provide a record of the transfer to a federally licensed firearm dealer within 10 days of the transfer.[7]
Tips for First-Time Buyers
- Apply for your FOID card well before you plan to make a purchase, because processing takes time
- Consider voluntarily submitting fingerprints through a licensed live scan fingerprint vendor to qualify for automatic FOID renewal at an FTIP inquiry if you remain eligible
- Take a basic firearms safety course before your first purchase, even though Illinois does not require one for buying
- Research Illinois's safe storage requirements under the Safe Gun Storage Act (430 ILCS 64), effective January 1, 2026, before bringing a firearm into your home
- Be aware that the Protect Illinois Communities Act bans certain semiautomatic firearms and limits magazine capacity (10 rounds for long guns, 15 for handguns)
See also: Buying a Handgun in Illinois: Step-by-Step
See also: Buying a Rifle or Shotgun in Illinois