⁠Orange County Non-Resident Guide

This guide is for people who live outside New York State and want a New York pistol license from Orange County. The Sheriff's application page says: "All out-of-state residents are eligible to apply." The official pages do not ask you to live, work, or own a business in Orange County.

The steps are the same as for county residents: the Sheriff's Office Pistol Permit Unit takes the application and runs the background investigation, and the Orange County Court judges decide. This guide follows the official steps, adds what is different for out-of-state applicants, and adds tips from users on the chats and online forums, labeled as experience, not official rules. If you live in Orange County, see our Orange County, NY guide.

An Orange County license is good for the whole State of New York except New York City.

Checked Nov 2, 2026 from the official pages: Orange County Sheriff pistol permit application process, Pistol Permit Unit requirements and the New York State gun safety FAQ.

1. Go to the Orange County fingerprint registration site and create an account ("Log In/Create Account"), then sign in.

2. Choose "Fingerprinting for Handgun License" and pick an open session. There is one person per 30-minute session (0/1 means open, 1/1 means full).

3. Pay the $111.50 fingerprint fee by credit or debit card when you register. It is non-refundable.

4. Print or save the receipt and bring it to your appointment.

Fingerprinting is only done at the Orange County Sheriff's Office, 110 Wells Farm Road, Goshen. It is the only place in the county authorized to fingerprint for a New York handgun license. Missed appointments are not refunded or rescheduled unless you give notice before the appointment. Registration questions go to the Sheriff's scheduling office by email (the address is on the Sheriff's page), not to the Pistol Permit Office.

Complete these and bring them. Two must be notarized before you arrive:

1. Pistol Permit Pedigree Sheet, PPS-01 (PDF)

2. Arrest / Charge Affidavit, PPS-02 (PDF), notarized

3. Release for Information, PPS-24 (PDF), notarized

4. Applicant Address History, PPS-25 (PDF)

5. Valid ID: driver's license or non-driver ID

The Sheriff's page does not say the ID must be from New York. If you only have an out-of-state driver's license, confirm with the Pistol Permit Unit that it is accepted.

You can also pick up the forms at the Sheriff's Pistol Permit Unit during business hours.

• You can train before or after fingerprinting, but you have 90 days from your fingerprint appointment to finish.

• Concealed carry: the state 18-hour course (16 hours classroom plus 2 hours live fire, Penal Law § 400.00(19)) with any duly authorized instructor.

• Possess on premises: a handgun safety course required by the Orange County judges.

• The county publishes a Training Providers list (PDF).

At the appointment you receive two copies of the State of New York Pistol/Revolver License Application (which also covers the Semi-Automatic Rifle License), a packet of supplemental documents, and a checklist to complete.

• When everything is done, contact the investigator assigned to your case to set an appointment to return it. Your four references are part of this application.

• Return all documents and your course certificate to the Pistol Permit Unit within 90 days of your fingerprint appointment.

• If more paperwork is needed while your application is processed, your investigator will tell you.

• The Orange County Court judges review and decide. The Sheriff says the review may take several months, and the background investigation takes about 6 to 12 months, depending on how quickly you submit your documents.

• To add a handgun or make any other change, file an amendment with the County Clerk, in duplicate: Amendment Packet (PDF). The fee is $5 per transaction, and a duplicate (laminated) license is also $5. If you want it back by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

• New York licenses do not expire, but you must recertify every 3 years with the NYS Police recertification site.

• The law: New York Penal Law § 400.00(3)(a) says applications are made in the county where the applicant lives, is principally employed, or has a principal place of business as a merchant or storekeeper (Penal Law § 400.00). Many counties read this as closing the door to people from other states.

• The State's position: New York now says that this rule tells New Yorkers where to file, but "does not exclude nonresidents from applying," and that licensing officers may accept applications from nonresidents (NYS gun safety FAQ).

• The lawsuit: In Shaffer v. Quattrone (U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, No. 1:24-cv-01123, filed November 20, 2024), four Pennsylvania residents and the Firearms Policy Coalition sued Chautauqua, Steuben, Tioga, and Orange Counties. The complaint said Orange's Pistol Permit Unit did not accept applications from non-residents who do not work in the county. The case settled: the parties filed to end it on February 5, 2026, and the court closed it on May 28, 2026 (court docket). The settlement agreement itself is not public. According to the Firearms Policy Coalition, all four counties agreed to begin accepting applications from people who do not live in New York.

Orange County Sheriff's Office, Pistol Permit Unit
110 Wells Farm Road, Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: 845-862-6399

Amendments: Orange County Clerk's Office, phone 845-291-2690.

For more information click here⁠

Planning to carry in New York City too? See our NYC (NYPD) Non-Resident Guide. Want to carry in other states? See Out of State Non-Resident Permits.