Alaska Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Guide

Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit Renewal Process

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning residents aged 21 and older who can legally possess firearms may carry concealed without a permit. However, many Alaskans maintain a concealed handgun permit for reciprocity with other states and for the optional NICS-exempt designation. The renewal process is governed by AS 18.65.725 and related statutes and regulations.

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Permit Duration

• An Alaska concealed handgun permit expires on the permit holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance, for a total period not exceeding five years (per AS 18.65.700 and HB201, effective October 7, 2009).
• The Department of Public Safety may adjust the length of an initial permit so that it does not exceed five years.

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Renewal Window

• A permit holder may apply to renew within 90 days before the permit's expiration date (per AS 18.65.725(a)).
• Renewal applications submitted earlier than 90 days before the expiration date will not be accepted.
• The Department of Public Safety is required to mail the permittee a notice of expiration by first class mail at least 90 days before expiration (per AS 18.65.725(f); note: this subsection had a delayed effective date of July 1, 2012, per sec. 6, ch. 24, SLA 2010).

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Renewal Fees

• All fees are nonrefundable (per AS 18.65.720).
• By statute, the fee for renewal may not exceed $30 (per AS 18.65.720), with the late fee of $25 added separately (per AS 18.65.725(c)).

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Late Renewal Rules

• A renewal application submitted on or after the expiration date is considered late and is subject to the $25 late fee in addition to the $25 renewal fee (per AS 18.65.725(c)).
• Late renewals may be submitted up to 60 days after expiration.
• Renewal applications submitted more than 60 days after the expiration date will not be accepted and will be returned to the permit holder (per AS 18.65.725(c)).
• If a permit has been expired for more than 60 days, the holder must complete the full new permit application process, including completion of a new handgun competency course (per AS 18.65.715).

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How to Submit a Renewal Application

• Renewal applications may be submitted by mail, delivery service, or in person to the Department of Public Safety's Permits and Licensing Unit in Anchorage. In-person submission is not required for renewals (unlike initial applications).
• Mailing address:
  • Alaska Dept. of Public Safety, Permits and Licensing Unit, 5700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
• The renewal form is DPS Form #12-299-84, available for download from the Alaska Department of Public Safety website.
• The form may be filled out online and printed, or downloaded and completed by hand. The form must have an original signature.

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Required Documentation for Renewal

Per AS 18.65.725(a), the renewal application must include:

1. Any changes in the information originally submitted with the initial permit application under AS 18.65.710 (if changes exist, provide an explanation and supporting documents such as judgments or charging documents)
2. A signed statement that the applicant remains qualified to hold a permit under AS 18.65.705
3. One frontal-view photograph of the applicant taken within the preceding 30 days, including head and shoulders, of a size specified by the department
4. The renewal fee ($25 on-time; $50 if late)
5. Acknowledgment of the warning regarding penalties for false statements (unsworn falsification in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, per AS 18.65.710(a)(6))

Note: A new handgun competency course certificate is not required for renewal. However, if the permit has been expired for more than 60 days and the holder must apply as a new applicant, a new competency course completed within the preceding 12 months is required (per AS 18.65.715(a)).

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Processing Time

• Complete renewal applications will be processed within 30 days of receipt.
• "Complete" means all applicable questions are answered in full, the form is signed and dated, and the required fee and all supporting documentation have been submitted.
• Failure to submit a properly completed application with all required documentation may delay processing.

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Residency Requirement for Renewal

• A permittee may not renew a permit if the permittee is not a resident of Alaska at the time of renewal (per AS 18.65.725(e)).
• However, a permittee does not become ineligible to hold a permit simply by ceasing to be a resident, and the department may not require a permittee to return or surrender a permit because the permittee ceases to be a resident (per AS 18.65.725(e)).
• Only persons who are and have been physically present in Alaska for at least 90 days and who intend to remain in Alaska indefinitely qualify as residents for permit purposes (per AS 18.65.705(3)).

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Eligibility Review During Renewal

• A permit eligibility investigation will be conducted as part of the renewal process, which may involve computerized records searches (per AS 18.65.710(a)(7)).
• The applicant must continue to meet all qualifications under AS 18.65.705, including:
  • Being 21 years of age or older
  • Being eligible to own or possess a handgun under both Alaska state law and federal law
  • Not having been convicted of two or more class A misdemeanors (or similar offenses in another jurisdiction) within the six years immediately preceding the application
  • Not currently in, and not having been in the three years immediately preceding the application, ordered by a court to complete an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program
• If the department determines during renewal that the applicant is ineligible, the renewal will be denied and the existing permit may be revoked (per AS 18.65.740).

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Expired Permit Rules

• There is no requirement to return or surrender an expired permit to the department (per AS 18.65.725(e) and AS 18.65.760(a)(4)).
• However, a person may not represent or display an expired permit as if it were valid unless:
  • The holder has submitted a complete, timely renewal application, AND
  • The renewal process has been delayed due to circumstances beyond the holder's control (per AS 18.65.760(a)(4))
• Displaying an expired permit as valid (without meeting the above exception) is a violation punishable by a fine of not more than $100 (per AS 18.65.760(c)).

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NICS-Exempt Designation

• Permit holders may optionally request a "NICS-Exempt" designation on their concealed handgun permit.
• This requires submitting the NICS-Exempt Concealed Handgun Permit Supplement form along with a new permit application, renewal application, or replacement permit application.
• The information on this supplement is voluntary.

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Revocation and Appeal

• If a permit is revoked (per AS 18.65.740), the holder must immediately surrender the permit to the nearest peace officer.
• A person whose permit is revoked may appeal the revocation decision to the Commissioner of Public Safety (per AS 18.65.740(c)).
• Judicial review of the Commissioner's decision is available under AS 44.62.560–44.62.570.
• A person whose permit is revoked may not apply for a new permit until at least five years after the revocation (per AS 18.65.740(d)).

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Contact Information

• Phone: (907) 269-0392 (Alaska Concealed Handgun Licenses and Other Permits & Licensing Programs)
• Fax: (907) 269-5609
• Email: dps.criminal.records@alaska.gov
• Address: Alaska Dept. of Public Safety, Permits and Licensing Unit, 5700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507

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Key Statutes