Illinois residents generally need a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card from the Illinois State Police (ISP) to possess firearms or ammunition, subject to statutory exceptions. Possession without a valid card can be a criminal offense under 430 ILCS 65, but firearm possession with a card expired for 6 months or less is a petty offense if the holder is not otherwise disqualified.[1]
Who Is Eligible for an Illinois FOID Card?
Before applying, confirm that you meet all eligibility criteria under 430 ILCS 65/8. You must:[1]
- Be at least 21 years of age, or, if under 21, have never been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a traffic offense or adjudged delinquent and have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian who is not prohibited from having a FOID card and files a consent affidavit (the parent need not hold a card). Under-21 active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces or Illinois National Guard may qualify without parental consent if they meet the other eligibility requirements and annually submit proof of active duty to the ISP
- Have no felony conviction under Illinois or any other jurisdiction's laws, unless the applicable firearm disqualification has been removed through lawful relief
- Have no conviction for domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction, unless the applicable firearm disqualification has been removed through lawful relief
- Not be the subject of an active order of protection that prohibits firearm possession
- Have no conviction within the past 5 years for battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction, in which a firearm was used or possessed
- Not have been a patient in a mental health facility within the past 5 years, unless granted relief under Section 10. If you were a patient more than 5 years ago, submit the certification required under Section 8(u), unless your firearm possession rights have been restored under Section 10 or 11
- Not have been adjudicated as a person with a mental disability, unless the applicable firearm prohibition has been removed through lawful relief
- Not be addicted to narcotics
- Not be an illegal alien
- Not be intellectually or developmentally disabled, unless granted relief under Section 10
What Do You Need Before You Start?
Gather the following before beginning your application:
- If you are an Illinois resident over 18, your Illinois driver's license number or Illinois state identification card number. Qualifying nonresident applicants use the number from their state of residence
- A color, head and shoulders electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days, with no obstruction of your facial features or digital alterations
- A payment method for the $10 application fee, unless you qualify for the fee exemption as an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, a member of the Illinois National Guard, or a member of the U.S. Reserve Forces. Credit cards, debit cards and electronic checks are accepted, and processing fees may apply
- If you are 18-20 years old, a parental consent affidavit signed by your parent or legal guardian and notarized, unless you qualify for the active-duty U.S. Armed Forces or Illinois National Guard exception. Under-21 active-duty applicants must submit proof to the ISP annually
How Do You Apply for a FOID Card Step by Step?
Step 1: Create an Account on the ISP Portal
Navigate to the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal at ispfsb.com. Create an account using your Illinois driver's license or state ID number. Paper applications are accepted from applicants with appropriate proof that a religious exemption or disability prevents applying online or at a customer service kiosk. Contact the Firearms Services Bureau Call Center at (217) 782-7980 to obtain one.[2]
Step 2: Complete the Application
Sign in to your account and start a new FOID card application. Fill in all required personal information, including your full legal name, date of birth, address, and contact information. Answer each eligibility question truthfully. Knowingly providing false information on a FOID application is a Class 2 felony punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison.[1]
Step 3: Upload Your Photo
Upload a digital photograph meeting ISP specifications. The photo must be in color and show your head and shoulders with no obstruction of your facial features or digital alterations. Avoid wearing hats, sunglasses, or anything that obscures your face.
Step 4: Pay the Fee
Submit payment of $10 unless you are an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, a member of the Illinois National Guard, or a member of the U.S. Reserve Forces, who are exempt from the application fee. Under 430 ILCS 65/5(a), $10 of each fee is deposited in the State Police Firearm Services Fund. Depending on the payment method chosen, an additional processing fee may apply.[2]
Step 5: Submit and Wait
After submitting, check your application status by signing in to the ISP portal.
Should You Submit Fingerprints?
You may voluntarily submit a full set of fingerprints through a live scan vendor licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Applicants seeking a religious exemption from the photograph requirement must submit fingerprints. Submitting fingerprints can qualify you for automatic FOID renewal upon a Firearms Transaction Inquiry Program (FTIP) approval.[2]
How Long Does FOID Processing Take?
Under 430 ILCS 65/5, the ISP must approve or deny a new FOID card application within 30 days of receiving a completed application.[1] In practice, processing times have varied. The ISP received an unprecedented number of applications in 2020, with new FOID applications peaking at nearly 143,000 in October 2020, and reported in September 2021 that it had cut the new-application backlog by 75 percent.[3]
How Does the FOID Background Check Work?
After you submit your application, the ISP reviews your eligibility under Section 8 of the FOID Act. The Illinois Department of Human Services reports mental health and developmental disability information to the ISP to determine whether an applicant is disqualified, and fingerprints you submit are checked against ISP and FBI criminal history records.[4]
What If Your FOID Application Is Denied?
If the ISP denies your application, you will receive written notice explaining the reason. For most denial grounds, including mental-health, developmental-disability, and clear-and-present-danger determinations, you may appeal to the FOID Card Review Board under 430 ILCS 65/10. The FOID Card Review Board states that an appeal must be submitted within 60 days from the notice of denial and all required documentation within 60 days after receipt of the notice. Public Act 102-237 took effect January 1, 2022, and the Board began considering appeals January 1, 2023. Denials based on certain enumerated serious offenses are reviewed directly by the circuit court instead. If the Board does not grant relief, you may seek judicial review under the Administrative Review Law, except that denials under Section 10(f) receive de novo circuit-court review. Venue for administrative review is governed by 735 ILCS 5/3-104. An appeal does not authorize you to possess firearms or ammunition without a valid FOID card unless a statutory exemption applies.[1]
How Long Is a FOID Card Valid?
A FOID card is generally valid for 10 years from the date of issuance, subject to suspension, revocation, and the renewal and concealed-carry provisions of 430 ILCS 65/7. Keep your card in a safe location and carry it whenever you are in possession of firearms or ammunition. If you submit a timely renewal application, your card remains valid until the ISP acts on the renewal unless you are or become subject to revocation under the Act (430 ILCS 65/5(b), 65/7(b)). Firearm possession with a card that has been expired for 6 months or less, by a holder who is not otherwise disqualified, is a petty offense under 430 ILCS 65/14(a-5). Beyond that window, firearm possession with an expired card is a Class A misdemeanor if you remain eligible to renew. If you are ineligible for renewal, it is a Class 3 felony under 430 ILCS 65/14(c).[2]