LEARNING GUIDE
Your first firearm transfer
A place to understand the process before visiting a business.
Research draft · Legal review pendingResearch draft, not an individualized legal determination. Sources collected 2026-09-17; no legal review date has been assigned. Collection date does not establish when a law took effect or whether it remains in force.
Choose a receiving dealer first
Before arranging delivery, contact the receiving business. Ask whether it accepts your proposed transfer, whether an appointment is required, and how it wants the sender to coordinate with it. A directory listing alone is not an agreement to receive a shipment.
Ask for the complete price
Ask for transfer fees, additional-item charges, storage charges, and cancellation or return policies in writing. Ask what happens if a check is delayed. These are questions for the business, not assumptions we make from its license type.
Prepare for the in-person visit
For ordinary dealer transfers to an unlicensed buyer, Form 4473 and a background check are generally part of the process, subject to applicable exceptions. ATF identifies valid government-issued photo identification and residency information as key requirements.
ATF — Licensee quick reference guide ↗Wait for the dealer’s instructions
Delivery to the dealer does not mean your transfer is ready. Confirm that it has processed the incoming item and tell it about any residency or document questions before visiting. Check your state guide and the linked official sources for additional requirements.