Porter County Sheriff's Department Main

Handgun License

Indiana Handgun License Application Procedure

You may apply no more than 180 days (6 months) before your current permit expires.
You must complete your application at your local police station, before your permit expires, to be allowed to carry while your application is being processed and to pay the lower fee. If your permit has expired, you cannot carry while processing the renewal.

Go to http://aries.in.gov/firearms/permit.aspx to fill out your application. All Porter County residents should choose Porter County, and click submit. Be sure to write down the application number given to you online.

Once submitted online you have 30 days to visit your local police agency to complete the application process. Residents from cities of Valparaiso, Portage, Chesterton, Porter, Kouts, Hebron, Ogden Dunes, Burns Harbor, or Beverly Shores must contact your city or town police department for instructions. If you are a resident of unincorporated Porter County you will complete your application at the Porter County Sheriff’s Dept. as follows:

1: Before you come to the Sheriff’s Department purchase two money orders (see table below). The local fee is payable to the Porter County Sheriff’s Department and the state fee is payable to the State of Indiana.

2: You may complete your application Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM (except holidays). Please bring the following:

Application number from your online application
Money orders for state and local fees
Your Indiana driver’s license, or picture ID, with your current address
Your current permit, if applicable

3: When you arrive your application will be reviewed, signed, and you will be fingerprinted. Everything will be mailed for you and your permit will be mailed directly to your home.

You have the option to expedite the handling of your application by scheduling an appointment with L-1 Identity Solutions to submit your fingerprints electronically to the Indiana State Police. L-1 will also collect your state application fee. This is voluntary and there is an additional charge of $10.95. You may click the link that appears when you obtain your application number, or go to: www.l1id.com . You must still come in with your application number, local money order, driver’s license, and current permit, if applicable.

License Type	Local Fee Money Order payable to Porter County Sheriff's Dept.	State Fee Money Order payable to State of Indiana
Four Yr Hunting & Target	$10. *Refundable $5.	$5.
Four Yr Personal Protection	$10. *Refundable $5.	$30.
Lifetime Hunting & Target/ No Current License	$50. *Refundable $30	$25.
Lifetime Hunting & Target/ Current Valid License	$40. *Refundable $30	$20.
Lifetime Personal Protection/ No Current License	$50. *Refundable $30	$75.
Lifetime Personal Protection/ Current License	$40. *Refundable $30	$60.
Retired Law Enforcement Officer-**	Not Provided in Law $10.	Fee Exempt
Retired Corrections Officer-**	Not Provided in Law $10.	Fee Exempt
Firearms Dealer/Current Dealers License.	Not Provided in Law $10.	Fee Exempt

*A Portion of the local fee is refundable if a license is not issued. The entire state fee is refundable if no license is issued.

** Bring a signed letter (on letterhead) from your former agency, or correction facility, stating that you worked as an officer for at least 20 years and that you retired in good standing.

Things to remember:

An Indiana handgun license is not recognized by most other states and may not allow you to legally carry a handgun outside the State of Indiana. You should always check with local authorities before transporting a handgun across state lines.

If you are ever stopped or approached by the police and you are carrying a handgun, advise the officer and show him/her your license to carry the handgun.

FAQ’s

Where can I get money orders?

The post office, banks, grocery stores, gas stations – anywhere that offers that service.

Where can I apply online?

From the convenience of your home, office, or public library.

I live in the city limits of Hebron, which is in Porter County, why can’t I apply at the Sheriff’s Department?

The state requires that you apply in the police jurisdiction where you live.

Why does the address on my driver’s license have to be current?

Pursuant to IC 9-24-13-4, driver’s license holders are required to notify the BMV immediately of an address or name change. Your jurisdiction is verified by your current address.

Where can I get L1 inkless fingerprints? Go to www.l1id.com and search for the most convenient location. You must schedule your appointment online with L1 – no walk-ins are accepted there.

Where can I get more information about Indiana Gun Laws?

Go to http://www.state.in.us/isp or call ISP at 317-232-8264.

What if I lose my handgun license, get married and change my name, or move to a different address in Indiana.

Go to http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/53228.pdf and print out a “Duplicate Handgun License Request and/or Notification of Name or Address Change” form and follow the instructions. You can also pick up a copy of this form at the Porter County Sheriff’s Dept. during normal business hours.

What do I do if I move out of Indiana?

You must contact the Indiana State Police Firearms division at 317-232-8264.