⁠Sullivan County Application Guide

In Sullivan County, the Pistol License Office in the County Clerk's Office takes pistol license applications, and a Sullivan County Court Judge decides them after an interview with you. This guide follows the Clerk's official instructions and FAQ, and adds tips from users on the chats and online forums. Those tips are labeled as experience, not official rules.

A Sullivan County license is good for the whole State of New York except New York City. To carry in NYC, county license holders apply to the NYPD for a separate Special Carry License: see our NYC (NYPD) Special Carry Guide.

Checked Nov 2, 2026 from the official pages: Sullivan County Clerk, Information Guide: Pistol Permits and the ⁠Clerk's Instruction Sheet for Completing a Pistol Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 8/2023).

The Clerk's instruction sheet lists these requirements:

• You are at least 21, or honorably discharged from the military if you are under 21.

• You have been a legal resident of Sullivan County for at least 6 months before you apply.

• You have not been convicted of a felony or a "serious offense".

• If you have homes in two New York counties, you must apply in the county that is your primary residence. So if your primary home is in Brooklyn, Rockland, Orange or anywhere else in New York and you only spend summers in Sullivan County, you apply where your primary home is (for New York City residents, that is the NYPD).

• If you do not live in Sullivan County, but it is the principal place of your employment or business, you may also apply.

The Clerk's FAQ page says: "You must reside in New York State, and apply in the county in which you reside."

Out-of-state applicants: the same instruction sheet (Rev. 8/2023) says that if you live out of state, you may apply if you own a part-time residence in Sullivan County, or if you own and principally operate a business or are principally employed in Sullivan County. These applicants must bring copies of their property tax bills (School and Sullivan County) and their out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID, and business or employment applicants must bring documentary proof of that Sullivan County business or employment.

⁠For more information click here

Live outside New York State? You can also apply to the NYPD for a Non-Resident Carry License (on the NYPD application it is the "Concealed Carry" license): see our NYC (NYPD) Concealed Carry Guide (Live Outside New York?).

• The application cannot be printed from the website. Pick it up at the County Clerk's Office by appointment ($5), or ask for it by mail ($8). For mail, send your name, address and phone number with a check or money order made out to Sullivan County Clerk, to: Sullivan County Clerk, 100 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701.

• The packet includes two Pistol Permit Applications, the instruction sheet, a Public Records Exemption Form, and an Arrest Disclosure Form that you must read and sign.

• You do not need to buy a gun to apply. If the Judge approves you after your interview, you are given an approval letter to purchase a gun.

• Once you start the application process, you have 6 months to submit all the required documents and information.

For more information click here⁠

1. Fill out both applications exactly the same, in black ink only. If you print by hand, it must be legible. Answer every question completely and truthfully. Blank boxes delay your application.

2. Do not sign the back of the application until you are in front of a notary. The Clerk's Office has notaries.

3. You need four character references. Each one must have known you for at least 5 years, be at least 21, and be a legal resident of Sullivan County or an adjoining county. They may not be related to you by blood or marriage, may not live in your household, may not be a member of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, and may not have been convicted of any crime. Give their complete physical and mailing addresses and their signatures.

4. If you answer "Yes" to the arrest question, list every arrest: the year, the arresting agency, the charges, the date and outcome, and the court. You must disclose all prior arrest charges, including dismissed, ACD, Youthful Offender, Family Court and sealed matters, and submit a certified record of the disposition from every court. The instructions warn that failing to disclose an arrest is good cause to deny the application.

5. Get two photos, about 2" x 2", full face, on a plain background, with no hat or sunglasses. Passport photos are fine. The Clerk's Office can take them for $15.

⁠For more information click here

• For an unrestricted full carry license: a 16-hour in-person live firearms safety course plus 2 hours of live-fire range training, required since September 1, 2022.

• For a restricted (premises only) license, the instructions say no safety course is required to apply or be granted a permit.

• The Judge may exempt current certified police and peace officers, reserve and active-duty military and National Guard members, and retired law enforcement and military members.

• Bring a copy of your course completion certificate when you submit.

⁠For more information click here

• Fingerprints are taken electronically through IdentoGO. Book an appointment by phone at 1-877-472-6915 or online at uenroll.identogo.com.

• When you book, give the ORI number NY052013J and the location Clerk-Pistol Permit, Monticello, NY 12701.

• The fingerprint fee is approximately $125, paid at the time of fingerprinting (Clerk's FAQ).

• You must book your appointment to submit your application at the County Clerk's Office within one month of your fingerprints.

For more information click here⁠

Appointments are required to submit a new pistol application. Book online or call the Pistol License Office at (845) 807-0416.

For more information click here⁠

Bring:

• Both completed applications, signed and notarized (notaries are available at the Clerk's Office).

• The $10 application fee, in cash or by check payable to the Sullivan County Clerk.

• Your electronic fingerprint receipt.

• A copy of your handgun safety course certificate.

• A copy of your driver's license or DMV non-driver ID.

• A copy of your current school tax bill showing whether you have the Basic STAR exemption. If you get the STAR credit instead, print the NYS tax lookup for the last year you received it. If you rent or your name is not on the tax bill, bring a copy of a valid lease.

• A copy of the declarations page of your homeowner's or renter's insurance for your Sullivan County home.

• Three different documents proving Sullivan County residency, from this list: cable TV or internet bill, NYS DMV vehicle registration, auto insurance declarations page with the "garage" address, cell phone bill, bank statement, utility bill (electric, gas or oil), or NYS or federal income tax return.

• If you are not a U.S. citizen: a copy of your Resident Alien (green) card. If you were born outside the U.S. and are now a citizen: your Naturalization Certificate or U.S. passport.

• If you served in the military: your DD-214. Current members: a copy of your military ID.

• A copy of any pistol permit you were issued somewhere else.

• Optional: other papers you want considered, such as firearms training records or law enforcement or fire department ID.

Guns you want added to the permit (co-registering) or guns listed on another permit go on the back of the application, with copies of the receipts.

⁠For more information click here

Official fees from the Clerk's FAQ and instruction sheet:

After you are licensed: expedited amendment by appointment $10 plus amendment fees ($5 per amendment form), and a pre-approved purchase coupon is $15 (Clerk's amendment instructions).

For more information click here⁠

• You have an interview with the Judge. If you are approved, you get an approval letter to buy a gun.

• Processing takes approximately 10 to 12 months on average, and may take longer for some applications (Clerk's FAQ).

• New York State pistol licenses have no expiration date, but you must recertify with the New York State Police: every 3 years for a concealed carry license, every 5 years for other licenses. Recertification is online, and failing to recertify acts as a revocation of the permit. NYS Police Pistol Permit Bureau: 855-529-4867.

• To add a gun after you buy it, use the amendment form. The Clerk also offers expedited amendment by appointment: bring your purchase receipt, proof of NYS SAFE Act recertification and your ID, and get your new permit card while you wait (not for co-registering, restriction changes or transfers).

• To upgrade your license (for example, from premises to carry), apply at the Clerk's Office or send the signed amendment form. Upgrades are granted at the discretion of the Judge.

• If you move, change your employer, or buy or sell a pistol, send the signed amendment form to the Clerk's Office.

• If a pistol is stolen, report it to both the police and the Pistol License Office.

• There is no limit on how many pistols you can own, but when you buy a 10th pistol you must submit proof of a locked safe and a sworn affidavit.

For more information click here⁠

The application itself is not online. Get it from the Clerk's Office (Step 1).

• Instructions for Completing a Pistol Permit Application (PDF): The Clerk's instruction sheet: requirements, references, documents to bring. ⁠For more information click here

• Amendment Instructions and Form (PDF): To add a gun you bought, record a sale, change your address or employer, co-register, or ask for an upgrade. ⁠For more information click here

• Co-Registering Form (PDF): For co-registering a pistol with an immediate family member (notarized). ⁠For more information click here

• Pistol Permit Public Records Exemption Form (PDF): Asks to keep your license information out of public records. ⁠For more information click here

Pistol License Office, Sullivan County Clerk's Office
County Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701
Mailing: PO Box 5012, Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (845) 807-0416 (appointments required for pistol applications)

For more information click here⁠

Want to carry in other states too? See Out of State Non-Resident Permits.