Maine concealed handgun permits are issued under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2003 and are administered either by the local municipal issuing authority or, for...
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Renewal Process
Renewal Process for Maine Concealed Handgun Permits
Overview
Maine concealed handgun permits are issued under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2003 and are administered either by the local municipal issuing authority or, for residents of unorganized territories and nonresidents, by the Chief of the Maine State Police. Renewal is a streamlined process compared to an initial application, but applicants must be attentive to deadlines and address-change requirements to avoid reverting to new-applicant status.
Permit Duration
Concealed handgun permits in Maine are valid for four (4) years.
Renewed permits are also valid for four (4) years.
Statutory basis: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(8).
Renewal Timeline & Processing
Under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(11), the issuing authority must issue or deny a renewal, and provide a written reason for any denial, within the following timeframes:
Applicant Type
Decision Deadline
Resident of Maine for 5 or more years
30 days from application date
Nonresident, or resident of less than 5 years
60 days from application date
Automatic extension: If the issuing authority does not issue or deny a renewal within the statutory time limit, the validity of the expired permit is automatically extended until a decision is made (25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(11)).
Lapsed Permits — The 6-Month Rule
Under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(13):
A permit holder may apply for renewal at the renewal rate at any time within 6 months after expiration.
A person who applies more than 6 months after expiration must submit an original application and pay the original application fee — they are treated as a new applicant for fee and documentation purposes.
Fees
Fees are set by the issuing authority. Example fee schedule published by the Bangor Police Department (a typical municipal issuing authority):
Transaction
Fee
New application
$35.00
Renewal (valid — permit not more than 6 months expired)
$20.00
Duplicate permit, change of address, or change of name
$2.00
Permit expired more than 6 months
$35.00 (treated as new applicant)
Fee distribution (25 M.R.S.A. § 2003):
When the issuing authority is a municipality (not the State Police): $15 of each renewal fee must be paid over to the Treasurer of State.
When the Chief of the State Police is the issuing authority for a nonresident or unorganized-territory resident, the full application fee is paid to the Treasurer of State and applied to State Police administrative expenses.
Issuing authorities may waive the permit fee for law enforcement officers certified by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(12)).
Renewal Application Requirements
Typical items required at renewal (per municipal issuing authority packets such as Bangor PD):
Completed Application for Permit to Carry Concealed Handgun.
Completed Authority and Authorization to Release Information forms (both forms must be filled out whether applying new or renewing).
Renewal fee (e.g., $20.00 in Bangor) — payable to the issuing municipality.
A copy of your current valid permit if previously issued by a different Maine issuing authority.
Supporting documents (including proof of handgun safety knowledge) may be required if you have not previously been issued a permit by the current issuing authority — even when otherwise a valid renewal.
Proof of Knowledge of Handgun Safety is required for new applicants (including those whose permits expired more than 6 months ago, who are treated as new applicants) in the form of a certificate issued within the past 5 years. DD‑214 serves as proof of handgun safety for applicants who completed U.S. Armed Forces basic firearms training and did not receive a dishonorable discharge.
Change of Address During Permit Term
Under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2005(2), a change of legal residence from one Maine municipality to another during the permit term renders the permit invalid 30 days after the move, unless:
The permit holder provides the new address to the issuing authority of the new residence within 30 days of the move. The new issuing authority must immediately reissue the permit with the corrected address for a fee of not more than $2.
Failure to notify within 30 days: The permit becomes invalid, and the holder must apply as a new applicant — renewal status is forfeited.
Information Required on the Renewed Permit
Per 25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(8), every permit (including renewals) contains:
Name, address, and physical description of the permit holder;
Holder's signature;
Date of issuance;
Date of expiration;
Optionally, a photograph if the issuing authority makes photos an integral part of the permit.
Possession & Display Requirements
Once renewed, the permit holder must (25 M.R.S.A. § 2003(10)):
Keep the permit in immediate possession at all times while carrying a concealed firearm.
Display it on demand to any law enforcement officer.
Failure to possess the permit is a civil violation with a fine of up to $100 (25 M.R.S.A. § 2004(3)), but no complaint may issue if the holder produces a valid permit in court, or exhibits it to a designated officer at least 24 hours before the court appearance.
Grounds That May Affect Renewal Eligibility
Under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2005(1), an issuing authority must revoke (and may deny renewal based on) any of the following:
Material misstatement in the application or supporting documents;
Conviction for violating 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A (carrying/concealing a dangerous weapon unlawfully);
Post-issuance OUI conviction (motor vehicle, snowmobile, ATV, or watercraft) where the permit holder was in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of the offense;
Post-issuance conviction for any violation of Title 17-A, chapter 45.
Reapplication after revocation: If revoked solely for the OUI-with-firearm ground, the former permit holder may reapply after successfully completing a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Department of Human Services as appropriate for the permit holder's problem or condition. Otherwise, a revoked permit holder generally may not reapply for 5 years from the date of revocation (25 M.R.S.A. § 2005(3)).
Governing statutes: 25 M.R.S.A. §§ 2001-A through 2006 (Permits to Carry Concealed Handguns), available at https://www.mainelegislature.org
Municipal issuing authorities (city/town police departments) for resident applicants; Maine State Police for nonresidents and unorganized-territory residents.
Key Takeaways for Permit Holders
Renew before your permit expires to avoid gaps in carry authority.
If expired, renew within 6 months at the renewal fee; after 6 months you are a new applicant.
Notify your new municipal issuing authority within 30 days of any change of legal residence — failure converts you to new-applicant status.
Expect a decision within 30 days (5+ year residents) or 60 days (nonresidents/short-term residents); the expired permit remains valid if the agency misses its deadline.
Keep supporting documents (handgun safety certificate, DD‑214) available in case a new issuing authority needs them.
Last verified:2026-04-16
This page covers one part of our Maine concealed carry guide.
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