Beginning January 1, 2023, Illinois introduced an automatic renewal pathway for FOID card holders who voluntarily submit fingerprints to the Illinois State Police.[1]
How Automatic Renewal Works
Under the FOID Act's automatic-renewal provisions (430 ILCS 65/3.1(b-5) and 65/7(a)), a FOID card holder with a full set of fingerprints on file for a FOID card or CCL application is eligible for automatic renewal upon FTIP approval. The mechanism operates at the point of a firearm purchase. When a Firearms Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP) check on the cardholder comes back approved, the card renews and remains valid for 10 years from that approval, provided the holder is not subject to revocation or suspension. The card remains valid while the holder meets the automatic-renewal requirements and is not subject to suspension or revocation.[2]
Fingerprint Submission Process
For automatic renewal, fingerprints in electronic format must be transmitted through a live scan fingerprint vendor licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Fingerprint submission is generally voluntary, but applicants seeking a religious exemption to the photograph requirement must submit fingerprints with their application. Submitting fingerprints for a FOID card or CCL application allows automatic renewal upon an FTIP approval.[1]
Benefits of Fingerprint-Based Renewal
- Continued validity. A FOID card remains valid while the holder meets the automatic-renewal requirements and is not subject to suspension or revocation.
- Fingerprint checks. Fingerprints are checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter filed in the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases, including all available State and local criminal history record information files.
- Renewal at purchase. An FTIP approval can automatically renew the FOID card when the required fingerprints are on file.
Relationship to CCL Fingerprints
Fingerprints are optional for Concealed Carry License applicants. Under 430 ILCS 66/30(b)(8), an applicant who does not submit fingerprints simply allows the ISP an additional 30 days of processing time. CCL applicants who did choose to submit fingerprints have prints on file that serve double duty, qualifying them for FOID automatic renewal without a separate fingerprint submission.[3]
Limitations and Revocation Override
Automatic renewal does not override the ISP's authority to revoke or suspend a FOID card. If a cardholder enrolled in automatic renewal becomes subject to a disqualifying condition, the ISP may revoke the card or suspend it for the duration of a temporary disqualification, regardless of automatic renewal status. The ISP continuously monitors relevant state and federal databases for firearms prohibitors, as allowed by law, and correlates those records with FOID cardholders.[2]
Legislative Context
The automatic renewal system was part of broader FOID Act changes. Legislative proposals such as HB 3692 have sought further changes to the fingerprint and fee requirements.[4]
See also: FOID Card Renewal: Process and Timelines
See also: FOID and CCL Address Changes and Replacements
See also: ISP Processing Delays: FOID and CCL Backlog Updates
Verification
3 of 3 factual claims on this page were matched to their source text as of 2026-10-15.
Show the claims
| Claim | Type | Status | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 430 ILCS 65/3.1Source text: # § 65/3.1 Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (a) The Illinois State Police shall provide a dial up telephone system or utilize other existing technology which s | STAT | verified against source | None | 2026-10-15 |
| 430 ILCS 66/30(b)(8)Source text: # § 66/30 Contents of license application (a) The license application shall be in writing, under penalty of perjury, on a standard form adopted by the Illinois | STAT | verified against source | None | 2026-10-15 |
| HB 3692Source text: # HB 3692 (104th General Assembly) HB3692LRB104 10844 BDA 20925 b 1 AN ACT concerning safety. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3repre | BILL | verified against source | None | 2026-10-15 |