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My renewal is still pending. Is my firearm licence still valid?
Yes, if you handed in the renewal on time. The Firearms Control Act keeps your licence valid while SAPS is still deciding. If you were late, the answer is different.
The rule: section 24(4)
Section 24 of the Firearms Control Act says a renewal must be handed in at least 90 days before the licence expires. If you did that, the Act says the licence remains valid until the application is decided. So a renewal that is still "pending" at SAPS after the expiry date on your card does not leave you without a licence.
Keep your proof
Keep the SAPS receipt or acknowledgement with the date your renewal was handed in, and the reference number, with your licence card. That is what shows you lodged in time.
Your competency too
A competency certificate renewal (SAPS 517(g)) is lodged together with the licence renewal. If it was handed in on time, the competency also stays valid until it is decided (section 10A).
If you handed it in late
The protection only applies to a renewal lodged in time. The SAPS 518(a) asks exactly this: was it handed in at least 90 days before expiry, after the due date but before expiry, or after expiry, with the reasons. A licence that has already expired cannot be renewed at all (section 28).
- Late but not yet expired: lodge immediately, with everything complete, and explain why it is late.
- Already expired: read what to do with an expired licence. Since the 2022 Fidelity judgment you may apply for a new licence.
How long will SAPS take?
SAPS works to a target of 120 working days from when the application is captured, and many applications take longer. You can follow your application with the SAPS reference number: check your status online.
Never late again
Work out your last day to hand in with our free renewal date checker: enter the expiry date on your licence and it saves a reminder in your own calendar.
This is general information about South African firearm law and SAPS procedure, not legal advice, and we are not SAPS. Where your situation is unusual, a past conviction, a pending case, a firearm inherited from a deceased estate, speak to a firearms attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Is my firearm licence valid while my renewal is pending?
Yes, if you handed in the renewal at least 90 days before the licence expired. Section 24(4) of the Firearms Control Act keeps the licence valid until SAPS decides the application. Keep your SAPS receipt and reference number with your licence card.
What if I renewed less than 90 days before expiry?
The SAPS 518(a) asks whether you lodged in time and, if not, why. Lodge as soon as possible with a complete application and explain the delay. The section 24(4) protection is for renewals lodged in time.
Does my competency also stay valid while the renewal is pending?
If the competency renewal (SAPS 517(g)) was handed in on time with the licence renewal, it stays valid until it is decided (section 10A).
Let us prepare it for you
Firearm License Pro SA builds your complete SAPS-ready application from the details on your profile, the correct SAPS form, a motivation letter written for your section, and a checklist of the supporting documents you need for a firearm licence renewal. You check it, print it, and hand it in.
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