Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as of July 1st, 2017 you are able to transfer your carry permit between counties. Your permit is still valid throughout the state until it expires. However if you attempt to purchase, you may encounter difficulty from the seller if your ID and Permit information do not match.

• Bring in your current permit from the other county
• Must have Driver’s License or State issued ID with current Jasper address
• Complete Permit to Carry application form - marked "duplicate"
• Must pass new background check
• Fee: $25.00 for remainder of permit term

No. But you can search the internet for classes being held, check with sporting goods stores or take a class online. Any method will work as long as the course is approved by NRA or ILEA.

When a person applies for a Permit to Carry, we will run a NICS background check to determine if the applicant is eligible. The applicant must also complete an application that asks questions pertaining to eligibility. Falsification of an application is a criminal offense that could result in prosecution, so an applicant should take great care in completing the application. This is a simplified list of prohibitors and is not considered a complete list:

Federal firearm prohibitors:

• Felony conviction (a conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year, excluding a crime classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years)
• Fugitive from justice (active warrant)
• Unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance
• Adjudicated incompetent or committed to mental institution by a lawful authority, such as a District Court (includes committal for substance abuse)
• Certain aliens (unlawful aliens and nonimmigrant aliens admitted under a visa)
• Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
• Person who has renounced US Citizenship
• Subject to a qualifying domestic protection order/restraining order
• Conviction for a “Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence” (MCDV)
• Under indictment or information for a felony

State firearm prohibitors:

• Felony conviction (includes aggravated misdemeanor involving a firearm or explosive)
• Juvenile adjudication for a felony
• Conviction for a “Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence” (MCDV)
• Subject to a qualifying domestic protection order/restraining order

Additional prohibitors for the Permit to Carry Weapons:

• Alcohol addiction
• Any serious or aggravated misdemeanor conviction under Iowa Code Chapter 708 (assault, harassment, stalking, etc.) not involving a firearm or explosive within the last three years
• Probable cause exists to believe, based upon documented specific actions of the person, where at least one of the actions occurred within two years immediately preceding the date of the permit application, that the person is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or in such other manner as would endanger the person’s self or others.

Additionally:

A person must be:

• 21 years of age to obtain a Permit to Acquire
• As of July 1, 2025 - 18 years of age to obtain a Non-Professional Permit to Carry Weapons  -  and will now be eligible to acquire/purchase weapons only through a PRIVATE party within the state. Transfers and sales by Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL) is still restricted for those under 21 years of age.
• 18 years of age to obtain a Professional Permit to Carry Weapons

Please consider the following suggestions:

• Permit holders are encouraged to safely conceal their weapons versus carrying in the open or plain view.
• At the onset of any contact with law enforcement, we request that you IMMEDIATELY notify the deputy/officer(s) that you have a permit to carry and you are armed.
• Prior to traveling across state lines, familiarize yourself with the laws of the state you intend to pass through and enter. Iowa recognizes and honors weapon permits from other states, but in many other states there is no such reciprocity.
• Weapon possession/use is prohibited while a person is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs by State Code of Iowa 724.4C.
• Contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for specific inquiries regarding hunting.
• Private establishments may post signs prohibiting weapons on their premises.
• Permit holders may not carry on school grounds.
• Permit holders are encouraged to gain proficiency with the weapon they carry (to include shooting accuracy, weapon safety, and justification in the use of deadly force.)

Once the permit is approved, we will submit it to the state for printing. We no longer print the permits at our office. The permit will be mailed to your home, so you will only need to make 1 visit to our office. On average, we advise it will be 2-4 weeks before you receive your permit in the mail. This time frame can fluctuate depending on the number of applications we receive each day.

*By Code, the Sheriff has up to 30 days to approve/deny permit applications.

There is no way to transfer another state’s permit for an Iowa permit. So anyone relocating to Iowa will simply need to apply for a new Iowa Permit to Carry at the Sheriff’s Office of the person’s new county of residence.

However, it is possible that the training completed for the permit from another state might satisfy the training requirement for the Iowa Permit to Carry. Under Iowa law, a person must complete any handgun safety training course utilizing an NRA certified instructor or a state law enforcement certified instructor. Additionally, a person can use military small arms training to satisfy the training requirement if the person had an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions (DD-214). If a person has documentation of training and the instructor was NRA or law enforcement certified, or if a person has military small arms training, then that training should satisfy the requirement for Iowa.

Anything outside the 60 day renewal window (30 days prior to the expiration date to 30 days after the expiration date) would be considered a new permit for the $50 fee. However, you can reuse your training certification or DD-214.

Prior to traveling across state lines, familiarize yourself with the laws of the state you intend to pass through and enter. Iowa recognizes and honors weapon permits from other states, but in many other states there is no such reciprocity.

This would be handled as a duplicate permit. See the criteria below: 

• Lost or damaged permit, address change or name change request
• Must have Driver’s License or State issued ID with current Ringgold address
• Complete a new application form: marked "duplicate"
• Must pass new background check
• $25.00 for remainder of permit term

Your permit is still valid throughout the state until it expires. However if you attempt to purchase, you may encounter difficulty from the seller if your ID and Permit information do not match.

It would be handled as a duplicate permit. See the criteria below:

• Lost or damaged permit, address change or name change request
• Must have Driver’s License or State issued ID with current Ringgold address
• Complete a new application form: marked "duplicate"
• Must pass new background check
• $25.00 for remainder of permit term

Your permit is still valid throughout the state until it expires. However if you attempt to purchase, you may encounter difficulty from the seller if your ID and Permit information do not match.

It would be handled as a duplicate permit. See the criteria below:

• Lost or damaged permit, address change or name change request
• Must have Driver’s License or State issued ID with current Ringgold address
• Complete a new application form: marked "duplicate"
• Must pass new background check
• $25.00 for remainder of permit term

The state is now printing all permits. See fees below: 

Permit to Acquire:

• Permit to Acquire: $40.00 for 5 years
• Duplicate (to replace lost physical permit, update address or name change): $25.00 for remainder of permit

Permit to Carry:

• Permit to Carry: $50.00 for 5 years
• Renewal Permit: $25.00 for 5 years
• Duplicate (to replace lost physical permit, update address or name change): $25.00 for remainder of permit
• Transfer (requiring a Duplicate permit): $25.00 for remainder of permit

Cash or check are accepted, no debit or credit cards. When paying with cash, exact change is required.

• Lost or damaged permit, address change or name change request
• Must have Driver’s License or State issued ID with current Ringgold address
• Complete a new application form - marked "duplicate" and must submit the application form in person to the Sheriff's office
• Must pass new background check
• Applicant(s) must be at least 21 years of age
• Must meet all applicable requirements in Iowa Code Chapter 724
• Fee: $25.00 for remainder of permit term

• Must have a certification class within the past 24 months, from one of the following:
  • NRA certified instructor
  • ILEA (Iowa Law Enforcement Academy) “state law enforcement certified instructor”
  • DNR approved hunter education course with handgun safety training (new since JULY 1, 2017)
  • Or a Military DD214 with Honorable Discharge (no date restriction)
• Must have a current State-issued photo ID or proof of current Ringgold residency (You must live in the county in which you get your permit.)
• Complete Permit to Carry application form - marked "new" and submit the completed application form in person to the Sheriff's office
• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age
• Must meet all applicable requirements in Iowa Code Chapter 724
• Must pass background check
• Fee: $50.00 for 5-year Permit to Carry (cash or check only)

• 60-day window - Apply 30 DAYS PRIOR To Expiration Date to 30 DAYS AFTER Expiration Date to qualify for renewal price*
• (Anything outside the 60-day renewal window will be considered a NEW Permit to Carry) *NOTE: the date printed on the permit is the date it EXPIRES, there is NO GRACE PERIOD
• No new certification is required IF the previous permit was issued ON or AFTER 1/1/2011
• Must have Driver’s License or State issued ID with current Ringgold address
• Complete Permit to Carry application form - marked "renewal"
• Must pass background check
• Fee: $40.00 for 5-year Permit to Carry

The permits are now printed by the state in order to create a uniform look throughout. They are a quality laminated plastic, about the size of a credit card.

Weapons permit applications are accepted from Monday - Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. It takes about 15-20 minutes to fill out the application and process the paperwork. Our office closes at 4:00 p.m., so plan your time accordingly.

Weapons permit applications are accepted from Monday - Friday (excluding holidays) from 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. It takes about 15-20 minutes to fill out the application and process the paperwork. Our office closes at 4:00 p.m., so plan your time accordingly.

We have plenty of applications at the Sheriff’s Office or you can print one from the list below, complete it and bring it to us with your Driver’s License or State issued ID with your current RINGGOLD address and your training certification*. (*If you have previously held a permit (to carry) on or after 1/1/2011, you do not need to take a new certification class.)

• Permit to Carry Weapon
• Permit to Acquire

Fill in applications completely. 

Include all aliases such as nicknames, maiden or prior married names.